- #141 of 166
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Re: $10 has seemingly fixed my 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan whining [joepeterson56]
by xwesx
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May 06, 2009 (2:46 pm)
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Replying to: joepeterson56 (May 06, 2009 10:24 am)
Yeah, I absolutely understand your hesitancy. I felt the same way. Actually, after reading about the vans, I was very hesitant to even buy the thing. I picked it up two years ago when it had 170,000 miles on it. But, it was owned at the time by a well-respected mechanic and was used regularly by his family. The price was also right, so after trying it out and looking it over, I decided it was worth the risk. I wanted two years out of it, which I got, and now I would not mind two more! All told and gremlins aside, I am very pleased with the van.
The only major problem I had with it the first winter was just trying to get it to move during the very cold days. Even with a heater on the transmission pan, it was terribly sluggish. So, when I was ready to change the fluid at 185K, I looked at alternate fluids. Amsoil, which I use for all my vehicles' engines and change once per year, makes a "universal" ATF that claims to be compatible. I contacted them to inquire for assurance purposes and they supported their claim. I figured if I changed the fluid and the transmission immediately failed then it would be their liability. I took the chance and came up smelling like roses. And, it behaves much better in frigid temperatures.
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- #142 of 166
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Re: Power Steering Noises [kitkate420]
by sbradshaw
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May 07, 2009 (6:55 pm)
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Replying to: kitkate420 (May 06, 2009 8:10 am)
I was looking up some information in the manual about the (BRAKE) light that periodically comes on and read something simiular that could accure. You might want to scan the manual just for eliminations too. 
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- #143 of 166
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Rack and pinion
by pilkerton21
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May 13, 2009 (6:42 am)
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I have a 2001 DGC and it has been leaking ps fluid for a while now, but it's getting much worse. I have to add ps fluid at least once a day to keep it from whining and getting stiff. The resevoir is empty eachday so the leak is bad. I need to replace the rack and pinion and need to know how to do it myself and how difficult is it to do?
Anybody got step by step directions? 
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- #144 of 166
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Re: Rack and pinion [pilkerton21]
by xwesx
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May 13, 2009 (9:23 am)
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Replying to: pilkerton21 (May 13, 2009 6:42 am)
No, but you could do yourself a huge favor (and inexpensively) by picking up a Haynes repair manual.
I noticed on my '98 Caravan that the steering hydraulics underneath the van are leaking. I suspect that is probably where yours is leaking as well, even though mine is not yet as bad as you report. I do not have the details for the full repair as I have not performed it, but access on my van is relatively simple, requiring only the removal of a massive skid plate that is mounted under the steering and transfer case. Once removed, the area containing those hydraulics is very easy to access.
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- #145 of 166
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Re: Rack and pinion [pilkerton21]
by hockeyhauler
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May 19, 2009 (7:00 pm)
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Replying to: pilkerton21 (May 13, 2009 6:42 am)
Are you sure it is the rack and pinion leaking. Are DGC had a powersteering leak and it was a bad line. The vehicle had 100k on it and was 9 years old. There is a tab welded to the line to mount it to the undercarriage and it rusted at the weld. Three weeks later I had to repair the coolant lines that run to the rear of the vehicle for the same issue.
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- #146 of 166
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Re: Power Steering Noises [joepeterson56]
by basline11
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Aug 17, 2009 (5:17 am)
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Replying to: joepeterson56 (May 06, 2009 9:16 am)
I've read many posts where the moaning noise goes away after the vehicle warms up but I have the oposite problem. After an hour of driveing, the moaning is load and clear during turns. If it could be the compressor pulley bearing, then could it be any one of the pulley bearings? Any thoughts, anyone?
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- #147 of 166
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Re: Power Steering Noises [basline11]
by sbradshaw
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Aug 17, 2009 (4:33 pm)
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Replying to: basline11 (Aug 17, 2009 5:17 am)
I replaced the power steering pump twice on my 2001 G Caravan Sport. It made even more noise, wheel started ramdomly sticking, then finally froze. I replaced the rack and pinion. It was only quiet for about 3 months. When the weather heated up it got louder. I bought a used/rebuilt r&p from Advance Auto so It may have been a faulty one but it had a lifetime warranty so they will exhange it. I can't help but think there is something else the 3 mechanics that did the work is missing that is causing it besides the r&p and/or pump. Please post your fix. I'll try it too.
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- #148 of 166
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Re: Power Steering Noises [sbradshaw]
by xwesx
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Aug 18, 2009 (1:50 pm)
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Replying to: sbradshaw (Aug 17, 2009 4:33 pm)
What about the reservoir? I have heard that there is a filter at the base of them that can clog, causing poor fluid circulation that can starve the pump and cause the whine....
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- #149 of 166
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Re: Power Steering Problem - DGC 2003 [dodgeman7]
by ironcity1
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Sep 03, 2009 (2:26 pm)
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Replying to: dodgeman7 (Nov 08, 2008 9:58 pm)
Dodgeman thans for all the advice. Plan on getting a new PS Res. this weekend. Got another question. My check engine light is on and got the code P1494 (Leak detection pump switch or mechanical failure).. Do you happen to know where the pump is located? I have a 2001 DGC.
Thanks,
Bill
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- #150 of 166
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Re: 05 DGC [fowellmw]
by backyardmech74
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Sep 17, 2009 (12:08 am)
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Replying to: fowellmw (Jan 09, 2009 7:45 pm)
could be that your cooler is getting plugged and causing alot of backpressure u might want to bypass it or replace it
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