2002 Power Steering Whinnying Noise? HELP

[Frez1812]

I have a 2002 Dodge Caravan 3.3 with 61,000 on it. When I start it in the mornings or colder days I'm getting a whinnying noise out of the power steering (i think) for the first 1 or 2 miles and then it seems to disappear. When you rock the steering wheel back and fourth you can hear the steering whinnying like it's low on fluids or something. I have checked the power steering fluid levels and they are just fine. After the van is warmed up the whinnying noise seems to disappear or at least quiets down very considerably.

Could it be the power steering pump?
Rack and pinion?
Tensioner or belt?

Need some advice please. :rck:

[Voyager2002]

Hi..Seems a lot of people have had the same problem, including me..When the weather turns cold is when people start complaining about the p.s. noise..several folks told me to remove 12 oz. of power steering fluid (which is about what the reservoir holds)..Replace it with a 12 oz. bottle of Lucas power steering sealer and conditioner..(Got mine at Advance Auto) In my case as with many others it was an instant cure..you might also search past postings about this problem..Good luck..

[Frez1812]

Thank you very much for your reply to my problem. I will look around and see what I can find. :rck:

Is there a way to clean the screen in the power steering reservoir tank?

[buckeyeboy]

I used the Lucas Power Steering conditioner to quiet down a noisy power steering unit. Used a baster to pull as much old PS fluid out. Then refilled with thick Lucas PS fluid. Within 30 seconds it was quiet, and has not returned.

For what it is worth, I have also read that dealers are replacing PS fluid with Mopar ATF+4 fluid to quiet noisy ps pumps.

[Frez1812]

I will try the Lucas trick this week and see what happens. I'll be back to keep you posted.

Good Luck to Ohio State!

[Frez1812]

Put the Lucas fluid in tonight. I'll keep you guys posted to see if my problem noises get resolved.

Thanks for all the input.

[vipergg]

Our 2004 is starting to get some of this too , let us know the fix for this . Never had this problem on the 96 , must be using cheap parts these days .

[BlueCarMan]

Hi, I had the same issue with my '02 GC sport recently. This condition was known as "morning sickness" and was common in the '80s. I've owned 3 Chrysler Le Barons in the '80s all had similar issues. Then I owned a '96 GC for many years, it did not develop this condition. Now the newer vehicles have the old issues. It is from the seals in the ps rack not the pump. Many people think it is the pump & end up replacing it, only to find out the noise is still there. Lucas power conditioning oil did quiet my ps, I hope it is not temporary.

[Frez1812]

The noise is gone so far. I'll keep you all posted and let you know if it stays gone!

[Frez1812]

Lucas oil treatment took care of the whinning noise,it's gone man!

[buckeyeboy]

Yeah, I don't know what they put in it that makes it work so good. Dodge engineers need to get with Lucas people and make it the OEM PS fluid.

[MNDod]

I read this posting today. I pumped out my PS reservoir and added the Lucas Power steering fluid in and it worked for me too! Thanks for the information.

[Frez1812]

Excellent info on this forum!

[mrbizness1]

I read somewhere replacing the steering fluid with Chrysler transmission fluid also works

[catfish10101]

I'm getting the whining noise in my 1997 caravan. Gonna get the Lucas for it. Thanks guys for posting this.

[bthere]

I have used the Lucas oil with good results. But in cold weather I still get the whining,once it warms up its fine. Although today the steering remained hard to turn until it just quit turning. Could this be the power steering pump or the rack and pinion.

[Frez1812]

Mine will whine when it's cold also. It takes about 5-6 seconds and it stops.

[vipergg]

I read somewhere replacing the steering fluid with Chrysler transmission fluid also works
According to the 2003 factory manual that is all you are supposed to use in the power steering is ATF +4 . Going to get some and fill the reservoir and see what happens mine appears to be somewhat low at this point .