Power Steering Problem

Have a 2001 Caravan, the problem that I am having is that when I start the car in the morning and it's cold, Arizona so temp is 40, I have problems with the power steering not working. But once the car is warm, it seems to work fine, so I've told my mechanic about the problem and he can't get it to re-occur. So here's the problem, I don't want to have to take out the pump and replace it then find out that it's not the pump. That would be too much work for me to do and I don't want to pay anyone else to do it when that could not be the problem.

Does anyone have any idea why this might happen? It happens almost every morning since winter here started (below 40*) and it's my wife's car so I don't want her driving the kids around with the possibility of it locking up. Has anyone else seen this or know what it might be? I have checked and it's full with power steering fluid.

Before you consider the pump I would change or adjust the belt and/or change the fluid. One way is to disconnect the return hose at the pump and let it drain. Another is to use a turkey baster to suck the fluid out of the reservoir. You'll have to do this three times to get all the fluid changed. Drive the car a few miles between each removal to make sure the fluid gets mixed well.

I believe 01s have a TSB for clogged filters in the reservoir. They install a new designed reservoir. Change it yourself and save a few bucks.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=354558&highlight=caravan+power+steering+reservoir

there is a bulletin on changing the power steering fluid to a synthetic fluid you can get it from the dealer

Thanks for the link! The Chilton manual was very pushy about not using transmission fluid in the power steering, but now I see you can use ATF+4.

I wonder if you can use it with pre-2001 models?