I've had my share of issues with my 03.

I've replaced a lot of parts, and left some out (because they were just a matter of nuisance).

Let's start with what I KNOW is wrong....
1. I've got a bad wheel speed sensor, so my "BRAKE" and e-brake lights come on and off as they wish. I also have no speedo until ~5 mph. This is just something I don't intend to fix until I need to crawl around to fix something else.
2. My D throws a few codes: P0442, P0452, P0456. These are all EVAP codes, I probably have a leak somewhere but it's been doing this since I got her back in '09. I always reset them before I hit emissions testing, and they take ~75 miles to come back on so I'll also leave them for a bad day.
3. Due to an old failed automatic start, my D's ignition is a bit... rigged. I had problems with it a while back, ended up with computer issues (not my ignition switch/ starter/ any of that), so I installed a nice industrial doorbell that I use as a push-button start (turn the key to on, hit the button).

Now, what's bothering me:
BEFORE I had any issues with my power steering, I checked my codes one day (I always do this during an oil change). Around August, during my last change, she threw a new code: P0552. This one's for power steering pressure, specifically an ECM/ wiring short issue.

The thing is, my power steering problems didn't start until late October when it got cold here in MD.

When I start her up, I have limited (or absolutely NO) power steering at all. It's a pain to get my wheel turned. After I get pulled out of a parking space, though, it usually loosens up. I thought it may be an issue with the PS pump... but I'm not familiar with those at all. I have no issues if I let it sit for 20 minutes or so before driving. After I get it loosened up, it is usually fine for the rest of my drive (little noisy, like usual though).

The colder it is, the worse the steering is, and on days above 45, I usually have little to no issue (except that she whines when I start her up and turn the wheel).

The code (P0552) has no longer shown up, and still does not.


The first snow we got here was bad. I was on a back road heading around a bend and another guy whacked me in his F-150

It's all cosmetic though, my driver side doors are a bit scratched, and the trim around my rear wheel well is all cracked/ destroyed. He knocked off my rear bumper, which has since been reattached but also needs to be replaced... and he dented the crap out of my rear quarter (it's getting pulled in a week or so).

Anyways, it's been a tiny bit worse since then, so I'm wondering if the impact may have knocked something a bit loose.



I'm taking it to my shop later this week, and they're giving me an estimate for the damage but I'm also going to have them look at the steering for me. Any input will more than likely be helpful, though, so...

(While my D's in the shop, I'll be driving my next project... a '98 stang GT )

 

Damn your rig sounds liek a mess...

 

She's not a wreck. I live just outside of Baltimore so I imagine my rigged ignition is probably a security benefit - keeps people from stealing her, even with the keys.

Other than one bad wheel speed sensor, my ignition issues, and the damn EVAP codes (which, I've yet to touch a Dakota/ Durango that NEVER threw these codes... and I've worked on more than 20 of them...), she's never given me issues. I replaced my water pump when I got her in '09, too, but that was out of choice to avoid it being an issue.

I'm just not sure where to start with the steering issue.

 

I never had any EVAP codes..

Odds are it’s the famous leaky hose under the driver seat mounted to the frame. So famous they sell hose repair kits for $3 on rock auto.com

Replace the R&P?

 

From what I understand the EVAP codes are usually the 02-03s, but I have seen issues on my buddy's 01 Dakota. I'm not too worried about that now, though if I have to climb under to repair something else I might grab a repair kit. I've done the repair on a few of them in the past, but it's just been easier to reset and get emissions tested than bother with a repair. Plus, I still get 17+ mpg.

It's definitely not an R&P issue... I've got no vibration at all. It's just a lack of power steering, or it's barely there. And like I said, it doesn't give me trouble once it's warmed up, or at high speeds at all. I't doesn't even vibrate at high speeds. Little over a year ago I had both wheel bearings trashed, so they tore my front end apart and rebuilt it. New bearings, new shocks, new wheel mounts and all. Of course we didn't touch the steering, though.

 

sounds pretty stupid. Took me 5 minutes to replace mine. Shouldn’t need an excuse to do something so simple..

My R&P went out on me. Well, it was starting to go out on me. I replaced it. All is good now. Not sure about your issues tho I didn’t have quite those symptoms..

Wasn’t the cause of my issue but I fixed it anyway. Turns out it was the locking gas cap. Code went away instantly after installing OEM cap (living on mexico border, trust no one).

 

I'm still in college... so time is very important, and that extra half hour to repair it can be spent working (gotta pay those bills...) or doing school work, although I might fix it over the break. I had replaced my gas cap a few years ago, hoping that was the issue.. but it wasn't. I'll probably order a repair kit for the hose so I have no excuse to not do it.

I'll have my mechanic give it a look, but I'm relatively sure it's not R&P. Could be, but I don't have those typical symptoms. To me, it seems like it's the pump, so I'll probably head to Crazy Ray's and grab a spare.

 

Don't get the evap repair kit from RockAuto. I've been through 5 of them over the past year. I'll get lots of other stuff from RA though. Get fuel-rated hoses and a splice kit (found here on the forum) from an auto place like Advance or something.

SJ02

 

I've bought a few pars from RA with no issues. But glad you stopped me from getting the repair kit.

Do you know of a thread where that's been discussed? I.e., how to complete the repair with those parts?

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...placement.html

SJ02