2001 W-star fault lights
dieseldawgz
06-04-2008, 06:51 PM
Two days ago, I shut my w-star off to shop. I returned to start it up and brake light, abs lights were on. The mileage was blank. When i drove, the speedomoter was not working and overdrive light kept flashing. This crazyness ever happened to anybody. Also, had two power steering pumps replaced within a year and the current one whining and hard to steer. Ready to send my money pit to bikini island! Please help.
mundy5
06-04-2008, 07:15 PM
yes you are not alone. some have found the alternator to be bad. others are still working on it.
wiswind
06-04-2008, 10:23 PM
Multiple problems with indicators can point toward a problem with the voltage......Battery, battery connections, ground connections, and alternator are all possible causes.
Power steering......several things.
I would have the suspension checked over......the tie rod ends can become "dry".....lacking lubrication.....which places a increased load on the power steering.
I have used a "grease needle" which is a needle that connects onto the end of my grease gun....and poked the needle into the rubber boot that covers the joint.....and pump a SMALL amount of grease in.
Doing this got me 197K miles and 12 years out of my original tie rod ends.......just replaced yesterday.
Lower ball joints can also suffer from the same thing.
The MAJOR issue with the power steering system is the power steering fluid needing to be replaced.
Your 2001 will use Mercon V rated Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).
Mobil 1 ATF is an excellent product for your application.
There are several posts on here about how to flush the power steering fluid.
Some folks have completely solved their noisy power steering with a simple change of the fluid....which is much cheaper / easier than a pump replacement.
For the Brake/ABS light.....could also be the voltage issue...but check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder......even just slightly below the "FULL" line can cause these lights to come on indicating low brake fluid level.
ALSO check the pressure switch that is located on the bottom of the master cylinder (toward the front.....wires going to it).
If it is even slightly damp with fluid.....it needs to be changed.
Power steering......several things.
I would have the suspension checked over......the tie rod ends can become "dry".....lacking lubrication.....which places a increased load on the power steering.
I have used a "grease needle" which is a needle that connects onto the end of my grease gun....and poked the needle into the rubber boot that covers the joint.....and pump a SMALL amount of grease in.
Doing this got me 197K miles and 12 years out of my original tie rod ends.......just replaced yesterday.
Lower ball joints can also suffer from the same thing.
The MAJOR issue with the power steering system is the power steering fluid needing to be replaced.
Your 2001 will use Mercon V rated Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).
Mobil 1 ATF is an excellent product for your application.
There are several posts on here about how to flush the power steering fluid.
Some folks have completely solved their noisy power steering with a simple change of the fluid....which is much cheaper / easier than a pump replacement.
For the Brake/ABS light.....could also be the voltage issue...but check the brake fluid level in the master cylinder......even just slightly below the "FULL" line can cause these lights to come on indicating low brake fluid level.
ALSO check the pressure switch that is located on the bottom of the master cylinder (toward the front.....wires going to it).
If it is even slightly damp with fluid.....it needs to be changed.
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