well i was driving my car today (as you do) and when i parked my car up i turned the engine off and took out my cd and then i noticed a humming noise. so i looked around to see where the noise is coming from and it seems to be coming right in the middle of the car on the roof where the light switches are. when i got out of the car i heard the humming louder so i opened the bonnet and found that its coming from the power steering pump. whats causing this? is my power steering pump screwed?
A bit confusing you mentioned you looked at the roof where the map lights are? If you kept pointing towards there then I would say its the climate control fan thats making the noise there (bearings needs oiling or wearing out in the fan etc) but then you got out of the car and somehow pinpointed the noise to the power steering pump. I guess no one was in the car turning the wheel so I would probably say its the power steering belt or other belts that need to be tightened up a bit. Easy to get under the car take off the splash guards and check for deflection on all the belts.. Also check that the belts aren't cracked/worn.. But then you should be hearing a squeeking sound rather than a humming sound.. hmm I'll leave it for another forum member to pick up on this.
hmm i probably should have mentioned that when i turn really sharp it squeels...should i replace the belt?
Thats a weird one.. With the belts, they are always driving the power steering pump so the squeel should be a little bit more consistent and not when you are actually turning a corner.. If the belts are not squeeling that bad typically you would hear it for a few minutes after starting up a car until it warms up a bit, if its bad you will always hear it now and then.. If you hear it turning around a corner I say it could be something internal to the power steering pump like bearing or something like that.. You can get power steering pump rebuild kits pretty cheap I believe. As a neat little project thats a good experience how about rebuilding the power steering pump yourself? If not, get a friend to move the steering wheel from side to side while you listen at the P/S pump just to make sure all the noise is coming from there and not from the wheel section etc.. You could try a 2nd hand P/S pump or reconditioned one if you want to replace it.
My power steering pump squeeled when turning the wheel and hummed when not, I had a power steering fluid leak, so check your fluid levels.
Opps found that theres a P/S gasket kit for leaks http://www.conceptzperformance.com/..._Type=NIS300&UID=20110503222238121.200.228.34 but not sure about the bearings for the unit.. They would make alot of noise if they wear out.. check leaks as laam states.
There is a tiny little dwarf with Alzheimers hiding in the roof(he loves music, but he just can't remember the words).Treat him kindly.:rofl:
even when im in neutral and turn sharp from side to side it squeels. the fluid levels have always been topped up. ill have a check this morning and check if the power steering is going and if the humming is still there. will post back soon.
lol! laam i checked it out this morning their was all this black shit around the power steering pump with the hose loose enough for the fluid to leak out. ill get some p/s fluid right away!
Make sure you clean up the area well as then you may be able to prevent this from killing your alternator in a few months like it did mine.
