2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power steering/brakes

[grincon]

The other morning I did not plug in my truck; but outside temperature was approximately 32 degrees. I have not plugged in my truck before, but this time something different happened.

I attempted to back the truck out of the parking lot, but I did not have any powersteering or power brakes. It was tough getting out of there with other vehicles around--I had to go back and forth a few times to get out. Anyway, my power brakes/steering returned about 50 yards down the parking lot. My real concern is that the power steering pump overflowed the fluid in my attempt to get out of the parking lot--not enough to have to add, but close. The brakes are fine with no overflow, but of course the cap on the power steering pump does not seal as tight. So can anyone tell me what caused the lack of power? It's been about a week and everything is fine.

 

[CWade]

My truck did the same thing, one time when I had it parked on a steep hill at the KOA just south of Statesville, N. C. That happened a couple years ago, when the truck was only a two months old. It hasn't happened since. Never could explain it, but it's fine now.



Charlie

 

[RichB59]

Same problem twice!!

I have been round and round with DC about this and never got an answer. It happened to me twice in the summer months after long trips the PS overflowed the PS res. and no brakes or steering. I did change to Valvoline synthetic PS fluid I think it works better. Recently I had an oil leak on the PS return line and a DC tech told me to use ATF plus 4. I have not seen the TSB concerning the use of ATF+4 but asked the tech again about it and he said all vehicles not just 2002 and up as has been stated on the TDR. I really don't know which is correct. I'll stick to Val syn. for now. I suspect the fluid is foaming and expanding out of the PS fill cap. Your case sounds a little different because it happened in the cold weather????? LOL









RichB