my truck has started leaking power steering fluid at an annoyingly high rate. So today i picked up a can of degreaser and found it!! apparently there is some sort of censor on the line going into the side of the pump... and thats where the fluid is getting out. can anyone here tell me what that censor is exactly? and if i can just plug the hole and do away with the censor. thanks

-Justin

 

Do you have a 1996? If so then it is most likely the power steering sensor. And you wont be able to do away with it without at least a CEL.

 

Sounds like the power steering pressure switch however you didn't state anything about your truck say for sure, believe its stock on the 5.0 and only on the 5.0L?

You can eliminate it if you wish however computer effects engine speed increases it slightly when necessary based on input received from it. Keeps the engine rpms from from dropping to low or even stalling right out during slow/idle speed maneuvers, say in parking lot in and out of spots, when pump is under heavy load in that type of situation.

 

When I replaced my steering box and hoses, my hose came with that fitting and a cap for it. The line was like $20 if you decide to eliminate it.

 

yeah, my bad i have a 90 with the 5.0L and i guess that makes sence with the whole idle bump when you turn and stuff. Earlier i blocked it off and drove around and it seemed to do fine.. but it did stall on the first start up when i was just letting it idle. But i think that i got some degreaser on some electric connections when i sprayed it down because the fuel pump kept kicking on randomly while the ignition was off. probably just jumping the connections inside the seleniod perhaps