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Power Steering no power (need Power Steering Pressure spec.)

Tiny
DALLABIL65
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,100 MILES
Power Steering has no power after I replaced the Pump twice with 2 "used pumps" (not reman/rebuilt). Odds of both pumps being bad from the wrecking yard very rare but possible. My guess now is the steering gear(Rack & Pinion) bad.

I don't plan spending any more money on it til I properly diagnose it.

My question here is where can I get the manufacture specification for power steering pressure on pump output, pressure spec for turn to stop on either end, and how do I test the steering gear.

If the manufacture spec can't be found is there another of testing the system without a pressure gauge?

I called 2 dealers for spec they both told me they need me to bring in car for them to look at it, my guess there is business is slow or too busy to look up spec for me.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 12:26 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
When testing this you need something to shut the flow off to steering gear. But if you have gauge hooke dup it should be less than 125 psi. With valve closed pressure shold be in the 1195-1293 range. Do this 3times and should be with in 50psi each time. Then turn to lock and take a reading go other direction and do the same. If readings aren't the same then pump is bad. Lock to lock must be done with valve open.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
DALLABIL65
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"Then turn to lock and take a reading go other direction and do the same. If readings aren't the same then pump is bad. Lock to lock must be done with valve open." -Hmac300

I take you mean the steering gear(rack and pinion) because of leaks in steering gear?

And 125psi and 1.3-1.6 gpm is the the correct specification for this vehicle and motor?
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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1.3-1.4 flow is normal if your steering rack leaks then I think you've found your problem. It shouldn't
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
DALLABIL65
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  • 18 POSTS
I'm asking if the "turn lock to lock" test is to test the steering gear and not to test the pump as you mention. - "Then turn to lock to lock and take a reading go other direction and do the same. If readings aren't the same then pump is bad."

Your reply mention its a bad pump, I want to clarify if this correct. If the turn lock to lock test is for the pump then what test is there to test the rack and pinion. Need to clarify so it wouldn't lead others who read this thread.

I think the the turn lock to lock to test the steering gear plz correct me if I'm wrong, and explain who it works would help :) (how the difference in pressure determine leaks) or bad pump.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 3:26 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You need a scan tool to check for electrical problems. The item I have pointed out in pic may be your problem but without ascan tool to check it your screwed. Because the body module an dvehicle speed sensor tell the solenoid how large to open the orfice in that.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 3:39 PM
Tiny
DALLABIL65
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This particular vehicle has a bcm?

The info can only be provided through bcm and not pcm?

If so then yes I am screwed. Currently own a Verus
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 5:36 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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All OBD2 cars and a lot of OBD1 vehicles have a bcm. Actually the pcm tells the bcm a few things then the bcm opens the solenoid so it varies the orfice to give better control over power steering. If the verus can read the bcm then it should give you codes.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2014 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
DALLABIL65
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Negative on Verus (older Verus) reading bcm, it only reads pcm/ecm. I took a look again and no solenoid on the power steering system unless I'm looking in the wrong area.

My power steering pressure tester finally got here not to long ago and going to plug in soon.

Will post readings soon.
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Friday, June 27th, 2014 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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If you don't have variable assist steering then you won't have the solenoid.
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Friday, June 27th, 2014 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
DALLABIL65
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OK after doing a little search this what i found on the ASE site for testing the Steering gear:

http://www.freeasestudyguides.com/power-steering-pressure-test.html

With the spec given by by Hmac(which really helped), with the tool I have(really sux,minor leaks but still accurate, minor seeps after some adjustments) readings with close valve:

1st Near 1300psi (1290s?*)
2nd Near 1300psi (1290s?*)
3rd Near 1300psi (1290s?*)

*dial on gauge only give me increments of 50psi

Readings from lock to lock were very low nowhere near spec and weren't similar. They were off by 50psi suspect leak in steering gear. Readings:

1st right turn to stop: 300psi
1st left turn to stop: 350psi

2nd right turn to stop: 310psi
2nd left turn to stop: 360psi
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Friday, June 27th, 2014 AT 5:08 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
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That is what I suspected all along a bad gear. If you put 3 pumps on they all can't be bad.
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Friday, June 27th, 2014 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
DALLABIL65
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You got that right, looking for one now will let you you know of changes.
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Tuesday, July 1st, 2014 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
DALLABIL65
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  • 18 POSTS
Steering gear was bad. Internal leak.
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Monday, February 8th, 2016 AT 3:31 PM

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