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2003 Sierra PS issue.


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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jan 3, 2013, 8:13 PM

Post #26 of 37 (1241 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

Here is a tech that had the same issue of no power steering what so ever. The problem with the gear box was probably the wish valve was stuck. Couple of techs stated they got their pumps from Jorgen Automotive Corporation and haven't had any problems as you would with those cheap remans like Fenco.

"FIX posted on Sep 29, 2012 4:59:39 PM
First of all thanks for the many great replies.

Some of you have had similar experiences to mine. Multiple pumps with no easy resolution. Well I think we can put this one to rest. The bottom line to this problem appears to be a contamination issue. What was happening was that the pressure relief valve was sticking in the bore after several minutes of operation. This was easily confirmed by removing the line and fitting from the back of the pump and you could see that the valve was stuck down in the bore allowing fluid to bypass back into the pump reservoir. This will occur during max pressure output to prevent system damage. I pulled apart several pumps and always found them to be stuck in this position. After we freed up the valve and reinstalled it function would be fine for awhile and then stick again. When I took apart the last two pumps that failed I was never able to determine what was the cause or location of the bind. There was a very slight amount of what appeared to be paint flake in one of them. I can only conclude that this was either there from the original pump or it came loose and fell in the system or was introduced during the repair process.

Fix for this one came from my transmission flusher Trans Tech Unit. Put it into fill mode and pushed several quarts of fluid through multiple times. Took apart a stuck AC Delco pump ,cleaned it, reassembled it, put it on and away it went.

An untold amount of hrs were spent trying 3 different vendors pumps, one known good one off of a working vehicle, one power steering box and a pressure hose, and god only knows how much power steering fluid and beer( after work only ). We were pretty sterile during these repair attempts and can only hope others will benefit from this information. Thanks again for the great feedback and moral support that this forum helps to provide."





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jan 3, 2013, 8:20 PM)


MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
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Jan 4, 2013, 6:31 AM

Post #27 of 37 (1226 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

Thanks for the info. Sounds as if that's exactly what I'm dealing with. I might try the Cardone and see how that one goes. I'm first going to disconnect the return line just to make sure the pump is working. I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks


MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
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Jan 4, 2013, 9:36 AM

Post #28 of 37 (1213 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

I unhooked the return line from the steering box and no fluid came out. For about 3 seconds I hear some type of grinding growling noise. I'm guessing it came from the pump. I tried getting closer to hear but it stopped. Since no fluid came out I'm looking at a new pump, right? I put a new one in about 3 months ago so at least it's under warranty. Is it possible that when the steering box went it caused the ps pump to fail too? I think it's odd though because it worked fine when I started pulling the box. I wonder if a line is clogged?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 4, 2013, 9:47 AM

Post #29 of 37 (1210 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

Contamination in the system could have caused it. If you're hearing growling, then you're probably right. Obviously, make sure the fluid is full.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
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Jan 4, 2013, 10:12 AM

Post #30 of 37 (1206 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

I double checked the fluid. The growling didn't last long so I'm not positive it was coming from the pump but I don't see where else it would've came from. I guess all I can do is try a pump and go from there. I just wish I could remember where I bought it from. I've got so many receipts from all of the work I've done over the past 4 months and can't seem to find the one for the pump. I've called all the parts stores and they don't have anything in their system for a pump for the Sierra. They've got it for the Venture and Envoy though.


MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
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Jan 4, 2013, 3:06 PM

Post #31 of 37 (1203 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

 
I installed the new pump and at first it was exactly the same. No ps. Not even any whining while the new fluid pumped through. I was getting ready to post but then decided I had better take return line off and check to make sure it was pumping. I knew I'd get in trouble if I didn't! Fluid shot out of the hose I had hooked up so Nick wouldn't laugh at me for making a mess. I hooked it back up, started it and then heard the whining sound. I knew that was a good sign. I topped off the fluid and it's now good to go. Di you think it was just air locked? When I had the old pump off I unhooked the lines from the box and flushed them with that kooler klean (or whatever it's called) and blew them out with air. I wanted to make sure nothing was blocking the lines. That's why I figure it had to have been air locked. Got it done just in time to take my dog to the vet.

Thanks for yet another successful repair. You guys have helped me with so many repairs lately I've lost count.

By the way, the steering is much tighter than it was before. I have an really tell going around curves at 55mph. Before I really had to turn on the wheel. Since I haven't owned the truck that long I just figured that's how the steering was suppose to be. The box must've been on its way out for awhile now.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 4, 2013, 4:17 PM

Post #32 of 37 (1201 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

MG - Where in the hell do you come up with these bizarre issues? I just don't have these issues come my way. This got contaminated somewhere to mess up like that. It scares me you heard some crackling sounds. Make dang sure the dinky u-joints are ok that usually last forever.

Stay with whatever warranty your parts require and you shouldn't have to go all over this ever again. I dare say I hold some world record for keeping vehicles forever of my own and usually have some sacrificial sh*t box to use in Winter to save the ones I like.

I may get yelled at by the boyz here but I like synthetics for everything. PS included. Go ahead and yell but I suck out as much plain PS fluid or ATF and replace it with synthetic ATF. Don't touch it right now.

Strange little issues have been solved with the product called Trans-X by name brand. Just do NOT use too much of it or any magic in a can on anything. Most is more harmful than good. Isles of crap as you know - near all junk.

Way behind on reading posts here. Ha - retired so should have all the time in the world but NOOOO!

Hang in there sunshine. High chances one of us has been there done that with some odd problems.

Wish me luck as soon I'll be driving now a very old car to GA in mint shape but still scares me - about 2,500 miles round trip,

Tom


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
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Jan 4, 2013, 6:15 PM

Post #33 of 37 (1190 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

Another successful fix in just two pages. Hey DS, did you find that fix on IATN?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jan 4, 2013, 6:21 PM

Post #34 of 37 (1182 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

I'd forget about the additives for the time being. All most of them do is swell up seals and some are gum cutters. Neither is something you want to do to a new pump and box.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
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Jan 4, 2013, 9:29 PM

Post #35 of 37 (1175 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

Well Tom, if it's going to happen to anyone it will happen to me.

I try and use synthetic on everything too. I haven't been able to find synthetic ps fluid though. The crackling sound was definitely from the bad box. I'm positive about that. Crackling might not of been the best word to use. It's hard to explain some sounds though. With a new box, ps pump, and two month old pressure line, it ought to be good to go for quite some time.

Only two pages. Geez, I must be slacking. Well, I guess I'm just learning a few things.

Be safe on your trip Tom.

Thanks again everyone.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 5, 2013, 3:11 AM

Post #36 of 37 (1173 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In

Forget additives as I thought I said for now as everything is new. PS fluid is ATF and you can get synthetic ATF. No need to tick off the Pope in your kitchen but try frying syn oils vs any regular oil and you'll see what happens after the fire department arrives! WARNING - using kitchen for automotives can and will cause domestic relationship problems! :-) May he who has never used the dishwasher for some car part please come forward!

The point of an hydraulic fluid like for transmissions and PS is to be light viscosity, highly detergent and very strong on anti-foaming properties. Essentially ATF and PS fluid is "5" weight oil with the properties mentioned,

T


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 5, 2013, 8:03 AM

Post #37 of 37 (1161 views)
Re: 2003 Sierra PS issue. Sign In


Quote
Hey DS, did you find that fix on IATN?


shhh...secret





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.






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