what's the fix for the cold weather power steering howl?

[**ICEMAN**]

got down to 35deg last nite and the truck(2001)was left outside,,when i started it there was a loud howling noise that got worse when steering it,,,took about 3 miles of driving before it warmed up and stopped,,whats the cure for this one? p/s pump bad?

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94 2500 4x4 SLT,auto,187,000 miles,3:54,brilliant blue/silver,tst 250/635 set full forward,star wheel wide open,air box ported,pump turned up 20%,k&n,gauges,cat gutted,
2001. 5 3500 4x4 q-cab slt,auto,8900 miles,3:55lsd,brite silver,tst power max 3 adjustable,j-hook,3 gauges on the a-pillar,2" tuff country front leveling kit,vinyl graphics,dee zee runnin boards,both have 12k hitches&15k's in the beds,30ft fourwinds 5er,(MY RAMS) http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1360183&a=10142301

 

[Mopar-muscle]

warm weatehr ???? don't know , when its real cold , up here farther north it howls even when the truck is warmed up ... #ad
, i think we paid extra for it .

 

[americana]

dunno, guys. happened to me once on my jeep. entire power steering pump was replaced, thankfully under warranty. worked well even when howling, but apparently a grenade with the pin pulled. last time i ignored warning signs olga left me stranded with two dead batteries that couldn't be jumped.

 

[EricBu12]

Had my 2001 since last may and even down to 20 Deg, never had it howl. Don't know what to think cept check the level of fluid. when warmed up, the fluid is higher so maybe that is it

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2001 QC 2500 4x4 bronze W/two tone Driftwood, 24valve HO 6sp. Westin side bars, fender flares, Rancho RSX off-road shocks, Spray on bedliner, Leer shell Painted to match with LED marker lights, Bf Goodrich AT Tires. Bed rug inside shell W/aux marine deep cycle batt for lights, etc. M Brolins' CB mount.
Name of rig is "big bronze Brute"

 

[**ICEMAN**]

the fluid level is fine,,i will try the synthetic p/s fluid and see what happens,,,thanks

 

[JohndeereG]

What you here is the power steering fluid bypassing the pump. Dodge calls it the cold weather bypass cycle. Once the fluid is warm it will begin going through the pump. Apparently each truck acts a little different. My 2000 thinks it is a coyote but my dad's 99, work truck 98. 5, and father-in-laws 2001. 5 don't make a noise.
O by the way, plugging in the truck doesn't make a difference. #ad

 

[illflem]

JD-G, I have to argue with that. If I forget to plug my rig in and it drops below 20° the PS squeals like a pig. Have taken my infrared temp gun to the engine with the heater plugged in, the entire block is 70°+ even in below zero weather after being parked for 12 hours...

 

[Lug-nut]

I have to go with JohndeerG on this one. Pluging my truck in never made a difference, of course, changing to Syn. Fluid didn't help either. I do believe that no two trucks seem to act the same way with this.

Strangely enough however, after I installed my Espar heater this past winter, I didn't notice the howling as much.

 

[illflem]

Plugging the block heater in for a few hours before starting eliminates the howl. An even better way is to change to Valvoline synthetic PS fluid. You can remove the fluid from the pump reservoir with a turkey baster or suction pump, there is no need to remove 100% as the Valvoline is compatible with the Dodge PS fluid. Only takes a less than a quart and will set you back less than $10.

 

[Oasis-3]

My 2001. 5 has done this "loud howling noise" when it was below 30 and it stops after about 2 miles of slow driving but I could not think of what was causing it. Just think I got my 35 bucks back again.
Thanks
Cliff

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2001. 5 Black Sport 4x4 Q-cab 6-Speed HO,3. 54 - No Stickers on Tailgate - Towing & Camper Packages - Real Backup Lights - Fog Lights - Phord 4 Door Nurf Bars - Leveling Kit - CB - Electric Brakes - Class 3 Hitch on front - Cat & Muffler fell off - 285/75/R16 Interco Trxus 10 ply tires

 

[JohndeereG]

Originally posted by illflem:
JD-G, I have to argue with that. If I forget to plug my rig in and it drops below 20° the PS squeals like a pig. Have taken my infrared temp gun to the engine with the heater plugged in, the entire block is 70°+ even in below zero weather after being parked for 12 hours...

I think Craig is correct that different trucks act differently. I have noticed on a couple differnt occasions my truck taking a long long time to get rid of the howl. Does it get realy cold in your neck of the woods illflem?

 

[illflem]

JD-G, We normally have at least 3 months where the temp rarely climbs above freezing, two weeks to a month under 10°, coldest I've seen is - 30°F. The coldest temp ever recorded in the lower 48 used to be about 75 miles, as the crow flies from me, high in the Cascade mountains, -58° Many folks would say it gets cold here in North Central Washington, it is also very dry, about 16" of snow = 1" moisture.

 

[David_VT]

I got a new pump out of that noise!

If I run the Espar (or plug in), I did not get the noise.

Some suggest going to the universal AMSOIL transmission fluid. I'd did some homework before doing it, but the idea makes sense.

 

[illflem]

ATF including Amsoil is not recommended for the Dodge PS systems, it will supposedly melt the hoses. Don't want any of that now do we?

 

[CPFF]

illflem -- Sshhh Don't say that too loud!!I don't want my truck to hear that- Cuz I ben running that Amsoil ATF in my power steering fer over 100k. Maybe dem hoses don't know their supposed to melt. Also my pump never howled (cavatated) even down to -34 degrees.
HMMMM CPFF #ad
#ad

 

[illflem]

CPFF, I know some folks are using it, but last I heard even Amsoil doesn't recommend it.

 

[David_VT]

Maybe the newer stuff (i. e. universal transmission fluid) has less problems. ???

Another issue for this site to debate...