I have this weird whining sound on start-ups, turn the wheel/steering and the sound gets alittle louder and a little bit higher pitch, but once the engine is warm and I drive down a few blocks it goes away. I checked all the fluids and belts on the power steering unit and they seem to good. what could be the problem?

also what is the prupose of an idle arm? and could this be a reason for the problem?

my vechicle is: a 92 Sr5 v6(3.0l)4runner


thanks

 

Yup, sounds like p/s pump. You might try changing fluids and seeing if that helps.

 

i had something similar (but not quite as severe).. i changed the ps fluid (which was black when it came out.. yuck..) and it's fine now

 

mine does it in the real cold, and spits out some fluid, i just refill when it goes out

 

mine started doing it, so i flushed it out with some brand new atf and the box started dumping it. so i just cut the ps belt...works fine for me, probably saves a wee bit of power from my engine

 

what makes you think its the idler arm?? are you having some sloppy steering issues as well??

 

I don't think it's a death knell. Mine's been doing it for fifteen years. It is cavitation which could mean either low fluid level or the fluid is cold.