Power Steering Whine...

[VibeGriff]

Does anyone else hear a whine when they turn their wheels on their vibe while parking or even just started driving? Whenever I turn my wheels there is a whine that is related to the power steering system and the engine RPM's jump. Is this normal for my car? I am guessing something is up with the power sterring pump, I know it has the Dexron III in it due to some previous work I had done. An advice greatly appreciated.

[joatmon]

It's normal for the RPMs to jump when you are idling and turn the steering wheel, the power steering puts a load on the engine so it kicks up the RPMs a little to get more power. Not sure about the whine though, never noticed one in mine.

[Digger]

the only time I ever heard a PSP whine is when it was low on fluid. Did you check the fluid level

[joholste]

that could also be because it is cold and the friction is one and the power steering fluid isn't warmed up and running as well.

[mcgusto82]

RPM jump is fine. the whine could also be the serpertein belt. how many miles on your vibe?

[ColonelPanic]

I've had some abnormal whining coming from the power steering in my car... It is buried somewhere in this saga... Lots of noise when turning the wheel!Are you also noticing a lack of assist? My issue actually started with that, then progressed to making noise.. The pump went bad - wasn't putting out enough pressure, and therefore had to be replaced. Of course, after it was replaced the original problem went away for a while, came back and was intermittent for a bit, and now the heavy feel is back to stay, but not as bad as it once was. Good luck to you... I know what it is like to have these types of problems, it isn't much fun.

[VibeGriff]

My vibe has about 55,000 miles on it, the belt is ok, put some dressing on it to keep it form slipping and last a little bit longer. I think the whine comes from it being cold and warming up some. It goes away after it warms up I found out today, since it was 80 versus the 45 it was last night. Once it drives and warms it goes away. I dont think I have the same thing as Col. Panic, I read the saga last night when I first thought something was up. However, what fluids CAN be used safely. Sometime ago my engine died (driver error -- involved water and CAI..go figure) and it was switched out, looking back wish I had built the engine myself. I think they put the dexron III in there, but not sure. Can regualr PSF be used? Thanks

[ColonelPanic]

According to what the cap reads on the reservior and what TNPartsGuy found from his research and heard from his techs when checking for me in my thread, Dexron III... It is listed in the owner's manual but I think that may be one of those fluids that are listed as a GM part number instead of an actual useful "type." Ahh, the Vibe and the fluid mystery that surrounds it! Topped my reservior off with Dexron III after they replaced the pump, it had dropped down a bit. Not so sure about effects of mixing various types though...

[mcgusto82]

Quote, originally posted by VibeGriff » It goes away after it warms up I found out today, since it was 80 versus the 45 it was last night. Once it drives and warms it goes away. 45 isn't cold. i usually start my vibe in colder wether. no whine.don't let this issue slip by cause it could cause a bigger problem for you.if your car is under warranty, take it to the dealer. my wife's old taurus and my old MDX both had a slight whine when i turned the wheels before the cars had warmed up, i replaced the belt and problem went away on both of them. either way, 3 years and 55k miles. you can't go wrong with a new belt. dexron 3 wouldn;'t make your pump go bad either. maybe if they put engine oil in there or even tranny fluid. if you decide to replace anything, http://car-parts.com has a large list of used parts.

[VibeGriff]

My Family is from New York, so I do know how cold it can get up there. However, for Texas, 45 is pretty cold down here this year. But i think mcgusto is right, the belt is showing its age, so i should go ahead and change it. Some of the other cars in the family have it but they have old belts too. I was wondering if it would damage the pump leaving the belt on a little longer (like a couple thousand more miles)?, I am a poor college student (roman is so good..) and need to get the money together for a new belt and mechanic.

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by mcgusto82 »45 isn't cold. i usually start my vibe in colder wether. no whine.what he said. 45 isn't cold for a car. Quote, originally posted by mcgusto82 »don't let this issue slip by cause it could cause a bigger problem for you.if your car is under warranty, take it to the dealer. replace the belt, if the whine is still there and your fluid is topped off it would be a bad p/s pump. take it to the dealer if under warranty. there should be no whine at any time.

[VibeGriff]

Wow, if thats the case then all my familys' pontiacs have bad power steering pumps before 100,000 miles. Oh well, it works, when it breaks ill put a new one in.

[VibeGriff]

Yup, it was the belt, thanks all. I guess the other two cars in the family are just old, they operate ok and one got a new belt a short while ago. Oh well. Thanks again.

[joatmon]

It was the serpentine belt? How much does one of those cost? I probably ought to replace mine just for the sake of preventative maintenance, coming up on a 6th digit.