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20:44:09 - 05/30/2024
General Dakota Board
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mpbronso
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/11/2005
15:43:30
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 Subject: power steering sensor--leaking?
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Message:
Okay, so I think my power steering high-pressure sensor is shot. How do I know? Because it is pissing fluid out all over my engine. The fluid is definitely coming from the back end of the sensor where the wiring meets the harness, and is not coming from where the sensor meets the metal high-pressure line.
So, is this just a bad sensor or is it indicative of another/worse problem? Anyone know how much the sensor runs? Since you have to drain and bleed the PS system in order to change the sensor, is this a DIY'er for a weekend warrior like me or do I take her in?
BTW, this is a 2000 CC 4.7L 4wd.
As a side note, the PCM threw me the PS sensor code a while back. I didn't think much of it. In fact, I had to reset the PCM for other reasons and the code never came back, so I assumed it was a fluke.
Appreciate the help.
PS--I would have searched for my answer before posting, but it is asking for a member name and password? What gives?? It's been a while since I checked in--is the search feature no longer for visitors?
Thanks!
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/11/2005
16:14:27
|  RE: power steering sensor--leaking?
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Message:
i am suprised you haven't mentioned any trouble with an O2 sensor. a few people have posted that when the switch starts leaking, the fluid migrates down the wiring harness to the O2 sensro and shorting it out.
and yes, do to some recent rampant trolling, Mark has changed a few thing on the site and one of them is that now you must be a "registered" member to use the search function. some have posted about searching the site through Yahoo. haven't tried it yet myself.
it should be pretty simple and straight forward to change that sensor, so i say go for it. it beats handing the "stealership" any money that you could otherwise use for something else.
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mpbronso
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/12/2005
12:26:02
| RE: power steering sensor--leaking?
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Message:
daddio, thanks for the tip. i had a look at the 02 sensor area and it looks dry for now.
i will get a chance to change this sensor over the weekend and will post the results. as i said before, perhaps somebody has done this and posted the results before, but not being able to search the previous messages ...
also, when i was looking at these wires i noticed that the harness from which the PS high-pressure sensor extends carries 2 or 3 other wires and they all join up into one larger harness in a spot located precariously close to the driver's side head valve cover. on my truck, that little spot on the harness has been sitting on the valve cover for who knows how long and part of it had melted to the valve cover. any ideas for how i can give it some clearance to avoid a meltdown in the future?
thanks!
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mpbronso
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/18/2005
20:23:49
| RE: power steering sensor--leaking?
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Message:
Just to follow up here, I got in and changed this switch over the weekend. Turns out the switch was only $20 at the dealership. It was a very easy job.
The switch is located on the metal high pressure power steering line in front of the driver’s side head, just beneath the PS pump.
1) disconnect the wire harness from the switch.
2) you will need some kind of small container to catch the PS fluid because once you unscrew the switch you will get about 2-3 ounces of fluid that will piss out of there, but it needs to be small because there is not a whole lot of room in there to catch the fluid.
3) next you need a main wrench that fits around the base of the switch (I think it was about an inch and a quarter). You also need a backup wrench (3/4 inch?) to fit around the bolt fitting on the main high pressure line so that when you unscrew the switch you don’t bend or twist the metal high pressure line.
4) Once you get her off you’ll lose a bit of fluid, but not much. screw the new one in, plug the switch back, and I think you’ll need to reset the pcm.
5) Then start the truck and bleed the ps system by letting it idle for a few minutes, add fluid up to the cold line, then turn the wheels from side to side continuously for a few minutes to get out all the air bubbles, adding fluid as needed. When you’re done the fluid should reach to the “hot” line when the engine is at normal running temperature.
As a side note, the engine has been idling about a notch lower and much smoother. Supposedly this is because when the switch is open (or broken) the PCM compensates for the high pressure in the PS system by increasing the idle to assist in parking situations. Now that the switch is fixed I have noticed a markeable difference in idle behavior. It's nice.
Hope this helps someone who has this problem in the future. Good luck!
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