2001 Dodge Caravan Whines @ Start-up Only

I made this video so a Dodge Dealership could hear the problem I took to them. I've spent almost $2,000, and it still isn't fixed. Here's the link I mentioned: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f106de4/48

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• 2001
• Dodge
• Caravan
• Power
• Steering
• Fluid
• Reservoir
• Whinning

[passavator1]

That was the first little addition of fluid to the system in Six years. My Grand Caravan is a 2006. I guess thats not bad. Shows no signs of a leak.If it takes another Six years to become noisey I guess I'll be happy.If the noise returns soon, my next move will be to replace that reservoir.

[MobileMediaProducts]

@passavator1 Our Caravan was a 2001, so my guess is, by 2006 they found a way to deal with the reservoir plugging up. It might have something to do with the kind of fluid one uses also. I think the telling issue is, when the service department wanted to bill me $1900 to replace the compressor for the air conditioner. Sadly, it's always about money.

[passavator1]

I had that noise for almost Two years before I took it to a garage to look at. He said it was a power steering problem, not to worry about it. After seeing these vids about replacing the reservoir I decided to do it myself. It also did it only when it was cold. Before going out to buy the reservoir I checked the fluid level. It looked low to me. I took my bottle of power steering fluid from my garage and added about Two ounces. THE NOISE IS GONE.No one was looking at the fluid level. Check yours

[MobileMediaProducts]

@passavator1 we did check the level, multiple times. When the reservoir gets dirty, it starves the power steering pump for fluid on start-up. That creates the noise you hear in the video. That starvation will destroy a very expensive pump in short order. Not having enough fluid in your reservoir will also starve the pump. Basically, lower fluid is another kind of problem. A dirty filter, and a leak, in your case, as the fluid is going somewhere should both be looked at.

[maximumvalues]

2003 Caravan. had my garage look at it . didn't fix it but fixed a bunch of other things i never asked for to the tune of $1200. found this video and the video on how to replace the reservoir. im going to get the part and just do it my damn self. screw these garages. this should be a problem they sell all the time. they just play dumb? and take your money? who the bleep knows. mine does it at start up and sometimes during slow speed turns.

[MobileMediaProducts]

@maximumvalues I had the exact same experience. They wanted to replace the air conditioner motor, for $1900. My guess is, when you go around corners, the fluid in the reservoir goes to the side because it can't go down the hole into the pump. Let me know if the replacement works for you. What video did you refer to (besides mine)? Can you send me a link? Thanks

[MobileMediaProducts]

@42fontenator excellent! although we didn't have any problems with hard steering overall. The reservoir would cause that super-whine at the beginning, and the wheels would be difficult to turn, until the fluid was in the system, then it was ok. It is an easy fix. Much better than spending 3 grand for things you don't need! You're welcome, and thank you for saying thank you!

[42fontenator]

Thank you sir, for saving me a shoebox full of money! New reservoir on my '02 GC with 130k miles and no more hard steering!

[ThebigHurtt]

@MobileMediaProducts ahhh ok ,cool ! take care !

[MobileMediaProducts]

@ThebigHurtt I wish that were true, but it was a dirty filter starving the pump instead. Replacing the filter solved the problem. I know what you mean, though, and I can see how air would create the same kind of experience. Replacing the dirty filter did work, immediately. Thanks for commenting.