mstang2k6

So I recently had some trouble with my power steering pump so I went ahead and had it replaced, but now the check engine light has turned on, so I have a few questions:

-I had the mechanic take the reservior off of the old p/s pump and reuse it, that shouldn't be a big deal or causing an issue, right?

-I went ahead and bought transmission fluid to use as the p/s pump fluid (i believe that what's recommended), I think I bough some offbrand fluid, could this be causing the check engine light to go off?

Additionaly, what would be the recommended brand of fluid to use and should I have the other fluid flushed and use a different one?

Thanks in advance for the help!

DeathRattle

The reservoir should not be an issue but why would transmission fluid be recommended when power steering fluid is made specifically for power steering pumps and it is cheaper...?? I suggest you dump the transmission fluid from the power steering pump and use the correct fluid. Any brand will work. And BTW, I'd also suggest getting the code read just to be sure because it might be something totally unrelated to your power steering issue...

mstang2k6

From what I found out power steering fluid is basically just transmission fluid without the dye or with (can't remember)..and all ford vechiles require actual transmission fluid as their p/s fluid. In the Mustang manual it says you need MERCON ATF fluid which is transmission fluid. Anyone else want to possibly confirm this?

mstang2k6

Any other thoughts?

BlackMage

yes it recommends ATF fluid, looking at my chiltons manual right now

auto307

you can use atf in your p/s system, won't hurt anything. i would recommend one or the other IDEALLY. get to an advance auto so you don't have to pay anyone, and get ur codes pulled for free (it's a cheap crappy tool but it will pull codes and give you an idea of the problem area)

2000GTFOOL

There is a sensor behind the ps resevour. It is a cam position sensor I believe. I bet it isn't plugged back in (or was knocked off during the work preformed.)

Let us know.

WhiteFoxGT

This is the only good reply so far....

First thing to do is get the code read and give us the #. In NO WAY will anything power steering pump/fluid related throw a CEL on our cars. So get over the whole fluid/pump issue. Merc V is the recommended PS fluid, and thats the same stuff you should put in your trans

2000GTFOOL

Any word?

GodAmGT00

I thought the 4.6 wouldn't even start if the CPS was faulty or not working.. Maybe it's got an intermittent connection..

Who knows, the code may not even be connected to any of the madness.. Any specific reason you had the mechanic swap resevoirs?? I thought they came as a whole, and you don't pay less for it..



JT