2000 R/T - few problems
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Professional
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL
2000 R/T - few problems
first problem is, my oil pressure gauge is dropping to nothing and the check gauges light comes on the dash whenever i come to a stop after normal driving of around 35-55 mph (if im going under that, it doesnt really happen). when this happens everything seems normal. and it last no longer than 5 seconds.
second problem is my power steering. it is hard to turn the wheel when the engine is idling. almost as if i dont have PS. the fluid level is normal and it is fine whenever the rpms are over 1000. there is no whining or other weird noises?
second problem is my power steering. it is hard to turn the wheel when the engine is idling. almost as if i dont have PS. the fluid level is normal and it is fine whenever the rpms are over 1000. there is no whining or other weird noises?
Legend
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,058
Likes: 184
From: Fort Worth, TX
The oil galleries are probably getting filled with sludge, or the oil level is low and it's sloshing forward and now staying down in the pan for the oil pump to pick up.
On the PS, is there any kind of whine or is the fluid dark black? Pump may be going out. I went a year and change with degraded steering, to the point that they would not pass it for inspection because the guy couldn't test drive it. I took it down the road to another place and a big burly guy got in, no problem passing. haha.
On the PS, is there any kind of whine or is the fluid dark black? Pump may be going out. I went a year and change with degraded steering, to the point that they would not pass it for inspection because the guy couldn't test drive it. I took it down the road to another place and a big burly guy got in, no problem passing. haha.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 20
From: Clermont, Florida
The factory oil pressure gauge in the dash is not exactly known for being accurate. The oil pressure sending units get clogged up with soot as they age and then the gauge exhibits erratic operation problems. You can get a cheap mechanical oil pressure gauge at Harbor Freight or maybe a parts store. You can temporarily install the mechanical gauge and see what the real oil pressure is. The sending unit may be the only problem. I replaced my own oil pressure sending unit because it was not reading right and now my gauge reads exactly as it should. I posted about it here:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...auge-info.html
I don't know a lot about the power steering, I always thought they made noise and had morning sickness when they were going bad and then they would fail altogether. I replaced my own ps pump and both hoses not long ago, but my pump and pressure hose were leaking, not really making any noise. The first replacement pump I put on was bad and I had problems turning the steering wheel, same as you described. I had to exchange it for another one and it has been doing fine ever since. I bought a reman ps pump at Auto Zone, I believe they are being remanned by A-1 Cardone now and are good quality parts. I posted about that here:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ing-pumps.html
Hope that helps you out.
Jimmy
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...auge-info.html
I don't know a lot about the power steering, I always thought they made noise and had morning sickness when they were going bad and then they would fail altogether. I replaced my own ps pump and both hoses not long ago, but my pump and pressure hose were leaking, not really making any noise. The first replacement pump I put on was bad and I had problems turning the steering wheel, same as you described. I had to exchange it for another one and it has been doing fine ever since. I bought a reman ps pump at Auto Zone, I believe they are being remanned by A-1 Cardone now and are good quality parts. I posted about that here:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ing-pumps.html
Hope that helps you out.
Jimmy