I just bought the 2000 dakota I've been posting about, and it was low on power steering fluid. I added Bar's Leaks Power steering fluid with seal conditioner, and the power steering went almost completely out. I took it out and put regular steering fluid in it after that. It didn't help. I spoke with one of my buddies who was a dodge mechanic for a long time, and he said to run Mercon 5 transmission fluid or ATF +4 in it. I drained it all at the bottom of the reservoir (return line) and put in the ATF. I ran it a few minutes, changed it again. It got better, but only when engine RPMs are up. When turning from a stop, it's almost like no power steering. If I put it in neutral or park and rev a little while sitting still and turning- no problem. I also noticed a check engine light came on and checked it. It said something about the power steering pressure sensor reading. I cleared it with the new ATF in it, and it didn't come back, but it didn't get better, either. Does anyone have an opinion as to whether the pump is messed up, regulator in pump messed up, just needs a little more flushing????? I am out of my league when it comes to trucks- not my area of expertise. ANY IDEAS?

 

sounds like bad pump and gets better because the rpms are building a little bit of pressure. is it whining

 

Well, I did a complete flush, and it didn't really help. So, I changed the power steering pump, and it's working great. Just thought I'd post the results on here in case anyone else runs into this problem. STAY AWAY FROM BAR'S LEAKS POWER STEERING FLUID WITH SEAL CONDITIONER!!!! It ruined my pump by overswelling O-Rings and building too much pressure or something. My check engine light came on showing power steering pump pressure sensor codes. FYI!

 

Bars leak products are nasty. Had to use it in my jeep rad while out on the trail and even just after a day it was a total pita to get out of the system. I ended up replacing most of the cooling stuff just because I didnt want to head home for the day so spent 3 times as much luckly I have a local junk yard that has tons of jeeps so getting cheap parts was easy.