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First start up charging system dash light "power steering failure"

Tiny
JOE DOODIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
Changed serpentine belt. Then this situation started.
Then changed the battery, alternator and tensioner pulley.
I start the car up and still get an intermittent charging system dash light and power steering failure simultaneously.
Power steering fails about 3 seconds.
Belt tension is good. Battery connections are good.
Do you think harmonic balancer wear?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 AT 2:17 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,188 POSTS
Hi,

I would find it odd if the harmonic balancer was an issue that started after a new belt. Since more than one thing is reacting, I feel it is related to the belt or belt tension. I realize the belt is new. Is there any belt noise that you are hearing when the failure occurs? Is the belt routed properly? (See pic 1)

Let me know.
Joe
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Sunday, January 24th, 2021 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
JOE DOODIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for your reply. Sorry for the delay. There is no noise. Belt routed properly.
What's strange is this the symptom I had prior to putting on the new belt and it continues.
3 -5 seconds after startup it will stop and not occur while driving or idling. It will occur only on every startup. It would seem like a quick slip or pulley hanging up to a degree. At a loss. I guess it's shop time.
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 3:00 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Do me a favor. Before starting it, turn the key on, headlights, wipers, heater fan on high and anything other you can think of that is electrical. Then, start it. If the alternator is making the noise, it should be louder or last longer. That is what I'm thinking the noise is coming from simply there is a heavy load at first on the alternator.

Try that and let me know the results.

Joe
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+1
Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 8:03 PM
Tiny
JOE DOODIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Haven't heard any noise, alternator is new. I will do the start-up though as you laid out. What's throwing me is the 3-5 seconds of power steering failure. Thank you.
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 5:23 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Are you sure it isn't a belt related issue? Let me know what you find by doing the test I suggested.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 1:53 PM
Tiny
JOE DOODIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks, Joe.

That's why I took off the first belt thinking that was the problem. The problem continued with the new belt, tensioner, and alternator.
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Sunday, January 31st, 2021 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Have you rechecked all wiring and connectors to make sure nothing is loose? Make sure no pins in the connectors are pushed in and no corrosion is present.

Joe
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Sunday, January 31st, 2021 AT 3:15 PM
Tiny
JOE DOODIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for your help. It turned out to be the harmonic balancer.
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 7:20 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,188 POSTS
That is not what I expected. Regardless, I'm glad you got it fixed. Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions.

Take care and God Bless,

Joe
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 AT 3:09 PM

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