- #157 of 171
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Re: 2006 grand caravan [jayjay14]
by sbradshaw
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Oct 22, 2009 (4:39 pm)
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Replying to: jayjay14 (Oct 22, 2009 12:57 pm)
I have a 2001.. I replace the power steering, then the rack and shortly thereafter the noise kept coming back. I 've been reading all the postings about steering problems and several mentioned cleaning/replacing the reservoir. Our local auto part dealers said it was a dealer part only so I decided to clean it out. I blew it out w. an air compressor then sprayed it clean w. brake cleaner. When I put it back it sounded worse but the next day I checked the fluid again and it must have went down slowly bc it was low again. I added more and it is completely quiet. Its been 4 days now and no whinning. They get glogged and deprive the pump and rack the fluid required. Wish I had tried this before the pump and rack was replaced. Probably never needed it done. ...and my husband said I was crazy for reading these. But it worked.
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- #158 of 171
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Re: 2006 grand caravan [sbradshaw]
by xwesx
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Oct 23, 2009 (8:42 am)
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Replying to: sbradshaw (Oct 22, 2009 4:39 pm)
Crazy?! You were crazy before you read the posts, and the van drove you there! There is all sorts of knowledge acquired through shared desperation. 
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- #159 of 171
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Re: 2006 grand caravan [sbradshaw]
by akindy
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Oct 26, 2009 (9:39 am)
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Replying to: sbradshaw (Oct 22, 2009 4:39 pm)
I have a Dodge Grand Caravan 2006, when ever we drive on the highway we get this loud noise in the engine, very annying humming noise, does not stop even after getting off the high way. It does not do it if we just drive on local roads.
Our mechanic said he is going to replace the steering wheel fluid and if that does nto work he will have to replace the pin and rack.
any suggestion will be helpful.
thanks,
AK
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- #160 of 171
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Re: 2006 grand caravan [akindy]
by dodgeman7
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Oct 26, 2009 (10:30 am)
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Replying to: akindy (Oct 26, 2009 9:39 am)
If the noise is coming from the engine, then it's not the rack and pinion or steering, it's in the engine block.
It does seem to be a steering problem though and the noise may be coming from the steering pump and not the engine due to the humming noise.
Replace the power steering reservoir first before replacing the rack and see if that fixes your problem, if not have another mechanic check it out and see if it's something else. 
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- #161 of 171
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Re: Power Steering Problem - DGC 2003 [ironcity1]
by dodgeman7
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Oct 26, 2009 (10:41 am)
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Replying to: ironcity1 (Sep 03, 2009 2:26 pm)
Hi Bill,
Sorry been away from this site for a while. I found this website on the error code P1494 and I'm guessing it has to do with the gas cap being loose. Tighten it up and drive it around for a few days until the computer resets it's self or you can clear the codes by disconnecting the negative battery cable for 30 seconds to reset it's self.
Check out this site for more information: http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/showthread.php?t=3244
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- #162 of 171
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Re: Back hoe help [tomg4]
by dodgeman7
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Oct 26, 2009 (10:55 am)
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Replying to: tomg4 (Sep 26, 2009 4:54 pm)
I know, that larger hose is a real pain. Mine looked like it was fused together and looked melted on the reservoir, but after a screwdriver and a trusty air hose, it came off. I did not want to try the WD-40 trick due to the steering fluid and rubber hose not co-operating with each other and breaking down over time, so I stuck with my air compressor.
My hose does not look that great at the reservoir and I wanted to change it when I did my power steering reservoir, but looked to be too much work so I passed and lucky for me it still does not leak.
I have to try that beer thing though next time.
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- #163 of 171
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Re: 2006 grand caravan [akindy]
by srs_49
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Oct 26, 2009 (11:28 am)
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Replying to: akindy (Oct 26, 2009 9:39 am)
Are you sure it's coming from the engine and not the front tires? Maybe your CV joints?
Does the noise change depending on whether you are accelerating, maintaining a steady speed, or decelerating?
Does the noise change when making a turn?
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- #164 of 171
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Re: 2006 grand caravan [xwesx]
by sbradshaw
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Oct 27, 2009 (4:03 pm)
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Replying to: xwesx (Oct 23, 2009 8:42 am)
I can honestly say the '01 Caravan has been a good one except for this. As for crazy... for taking it back to the mechanic that swapped the steering pump out twice before giving up and the 2nd mechanic shop for diagnosing the rack and pinion only for the noise to return a few weeks later. He said it was defective too and wanted to swap out again. Before I did that I started looking for answers myself. The reservoir replacement or cleaning was a inexpensive trial process. Now tell me what could be causing the faint popping in the rt front wheel after hitting a pothole. Changed tire & rim (warped it). Still pops from just turning the wheel even when the vans not moving and no visible boot damage so not pay'n for a cv joint just yet. It's AWD. Any suggestions? It driving me CRAZY not knowing. but don't want ot get taken for a ride again.
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- #165 of 171
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Re: 2006 grand caravan [sbradshaw]
by srs_49
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Oct 28, 2009 (2:27 am)
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Replying to: sbradshaw (Oct 27, 2009 4:03 pm)
Ball joint or tie rod end???
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- #166 of 171
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Re: 2006 grand caravan [srs_49]
by xwesx
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Oct 28, 2009 (8:54 am)
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Replying to: srs_49 (Oct 28, 2009 2:27 am)
That is my thought as well. I was getting occasional "popping" sounds coming from the front end of my '98 DGC, usually over rough roads. No such sounds after replacing the ball joints. I also replaced the front struts at the same time, but I cannot figure how the strut could create such a sounds under the conditions sbradshaw described. The ball joints on mine were toast. 
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