i removed the power steering pump, because it looked like it has been leaking..(see earlier post about the A/C clutch failure) when i got it off, come to find out it was just the banjo fitting seeping a little..i put it all back together, refilled the reservoir and started it back up.. no power assist..i jacked the car up, turned the wheels lock to lock until my arm started killing me, and still nothing..i also don't see any fluid moving around in the reservoir.. i also loosened the power steering pressure switch, and started the car.. the fluid just dribbles out.it is being pumped by the pump, but there isn't any pressure..what did i screw up here?? i knew i should've replaced the stupid pump..

 

You may have an 'airlock' where the fluid has not penetrated down into the pump where the gizzards [plates or finger] are. If the pump is very tight on clearances, it would not let the fluid seep into place. I would remove the belt, and rotate the pump, in the correct direction, by hand slowly to determine if I can build resistance. You may have a bubble of air between the reservoir and the inlet to the pump body which you could bleed by loosening the hose fitting until you get some seepage, and then tightening it back up.
Another alternative is to use gravity to fill the pump by opening a fitting down low on the system while monitoring the level in the reservoir. Close it up when you get good flow, and then turn the pump pulley to see if you have resistance.
tom

 

i'll give it a shot....i just hope i didn't loose anything when i had the pressure line off..it does seem like its pumping, just not building pressure, because when i unscrew the p/s pressure switch, fluid flows out of the hole as long as the car is running.

i'll try bleeding it and turning it by hand, like you suggested..hopefully it is just airlock.. because that thing is a pain in the..well you know..to remove/replace...

thanks.

 

When you were trying to wear out your arms, was the engine running at idle or stopped? Unless you did something to block fluid passage, took it apart and re-assembled it, or ran the pump dry, it should work the same is it did before. It is just a matter of bleeding out the air. Do not entrain a bunch of air bubbles, or they will return just like the 'bends' after you turn the engine off and flow all over the place.
The PSPS should switch open and closed as the pressure in the system rises and falls. When the pressure rises as you turn the steering wheel, the PSPS will tell the computer to expect pump demand, and the ECM PCM will bump the IAC to compensate. If the PSPS doesn't close, there is little to no pressure in the system. I do not no close pressure.
tom

 

the first time i tried, i had the engine idling..i turned it left/right about 20 times..after that, i shut it off, jacked it up, and kept turning left/right about 30/40 more times, checked the fluid level, started it up, and tried again.. doesn't even attempt to assist.. no noises, or anything.. it's just dead.

i pulled the return line off, plugged the reservoir and started the car up, no fluid flow from the return line unless i turn the wheel, then it comes out in spurts as long as the wheel is turning..

when i changed the p/s pump on my ranger, and bled it, it worked instantly..the fluid was foamy for a little while, and the pump growled for about a second, topped off the fluid and it's been fine ever since.

 

Well, there is a heck of a coincidence or something. Why not go through exactly what you did to the system. Relate what was disconnected, drained, removed, replaced, whatever you did, in sequence.

The shop manual cautions against allowing the flow control valve fall out of the pump.

However, in their wonderfulness, they don't show an illustration of the valve, nor the pump itself for that matter. Older manuals would give instruction, with pictures, of how to disassemble, etc, the pump and the other components.

Is it possible the 'flow control valve' fell out, and was re-inserted upside down, so to speak? I have no idea of what it looks like to have a clue if it is impossible to insert improperly, so don't take offense.
tom

 

You know what.. it did pop out with a spring...i stuffed it back in..i bet a piece of it fell out somewhere and i didnt put it back in.. or i put it back in wrong

 

Fixed it!! Tore the power steering pump out again, took off the high pressure line, and guess what, the darned bypass valve is gone.. i guess it popped out when i was putting the pump back in the first time.. found the stupid thing under the back tire,cleaned it, put it all back together, bled it per your instructions, started it up and the p/s is working again.. thank you for your help.. now i just have to keep my eyes open for leaks..

 

I started off with being told the truck needed a new power steering pump. I took the pump off to find the hose had split, purchased a new hose, put it all back together and find there is now power steering. This was the 1st Saturday, today I thought maybe I didn't put something back right. I have taken the pump off again. Put it all back on and still no power steering. Its like there is no pressure. There are no leaks the pump isn't making any noise....engine is running fine. I'm totally frustrated and am looking for help. Thanks in advance.