Backwoods Bumpers

My mom went out to start her truck this morning (02 auto) and it had no assist brakes or steering. I checked the pump and it seemed like there was too much hydraulic fluid. I check it at every oil change and have never overfilled it. It drove fine last night, but this morning it doesnt work. Any ideas? Thanks in advance, -Evan

Number47

cold fluid, maybe some water in the system that froze, or you ps pump is dying but doubt it

dozer12216

Don't know if got cold enough in AK for PS fluid toqujit flowing. If fluid is brown, would be good time to change fluid.
REcomend MOPAR PS fluid.
Believe have had problem with ATF + 4 in sub freezing temps. Aftermarket syn fluid might work also.
Another thought! A diesel doesn't flare when it starts up. Vanes in PS pump sometimes need to be centrifugal force to operate. Just rev the engine up to say 1500 RPM and see if starts working.

Backwoods Bumpers

I will try revving it, but the fluid looks fine and it only got down to about 40 degrees last night! It was much colder a few weeks ago and it was fine then. thanks, -evan

Doj Dewd

i had same problem (sounds like). the conventional ps fluid becomes too thick at cold temps, thus creating too much pressure and squeezing thru the seal on the cap resulting fluid loss. i flushed the system and replaced with a synthetic fluid and has been great ever since!

Ridiculous

EXACTLY!!, do what he did and the problem will be solved!

happened to stepdad's pickup and i did it too!

jshaw214

it's the power steering pump

Doj Dewd

mechanic tried telling me that too, said it had to be replaced. i opted for the flush and replace with synthetic. proved to be the (significantly cheaper) answer. . .

Ridiculous

well i tell ya one thing, i'd do the fluid change first before i just start throwing parts at it and making assumptions!

84mphcdt

This happened to me the other night after leaving it parked at for a month - maybe the fluid thing woulda prevented it from ever occurring in the first place, but revving it to 1500 rpm as dozer recommended freed up the steering & brakes right nicely...

THANKS dozer...!

SalsaBoy

happened to me last winter. I took a turkey baster and sucked the old fluid out and replaced with syn. blend and it's been working perfectly.

FIREBUG13

I had the same thing happen to but i put a new power steering pump on it and a hydraulic brake booster and it still did not fix it can you help thank you my truck is a 1999 Dodge 3/4 ton 4+4

trap grease

have any of you guys ever heard of Lucus oil products ? I had this issue occure several years ago . If the fluid appears un contaminated color wise and doesent smell burnt add the lucas ps additive saved my pump and has worked great since .