Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) power steering problem

[TBohrer]

I have a 1999 4 wd Ram 76000 miles, several times this past month my power steering will not work right when the truck is at idle. I checked the fluid level it is ok, anybody know what is going on or what I might check. Thanks for the help!

 

[jalberring]

Sorry I don't have an answer for you.



I have noticed that mine, a 2002, has done the same thing a few times this month. At idle it feels like there is no power steering for a couple of seconds. Usually, on mine, when I come to a stop and then attempt to turn is when this happens. Kind of scary when there is traffic coming at you and the wheels won't turn.



Hopefully someone knows what is happening.

 

[Chipstien]

Me Too.

Usually it only does this when I first start the truck and it is cold. Really a pain in the *** when you are parallel parked and you have a car on your bumper in the front and one in the back.

 

[RichB59]

I've had problems

with mine also. One time no steering and no brakes, it also dumped fliud out thru the fill cap. It's happend twice. DC changed the PS pump after the first instance. It happend again. It has been posted on the TDR that changing fluid to a synthetic has helped. Valvoline makes a syn PS fluid. I changed mine. I called DC and never heard back. I also reported the condition to DOT auto motive safety.

The toll free phone# is in the back of your owners manual. It really needs to be reported as it could lead to a disaster. JMHO



RichB

 

[RKelly]

I had a problem with my '99 on very cold mornings. There was no power steering at all.

I sucked some fluid out with my wife's turkey baister (please don't tell her), and replaced it with some off-the-shelf power steering fluid from K-Mart (not sythetic), and it's been fine ever since.

Might be worth a try, as it's cheap & easy.

Ray

 

[jalberring]

Mine hasn't done this when cold. YET!!

It has always been after the truck has been running for a while and is warmed up. The fluid level is OK and it doesn't look like anything has been leaking.



I sure would like to know what is up with this, but I don't want to take it to any dealers around here. I don't have any confidence in them.



This figures, just when I was considering putting a milemarker winch on the front. I guess I'll wait for a while.