steering noise and cel

[snomaker321]

so last night on my way home my check engine light started blinking and then stayed on. I thought nothing of it really, ive had an occasional misfire on cylinder #2 thats thrown the light, and i know i need to change my oil(its almost a quart low) so i figured it had to do with one of those. Then today when i was leaving work, my truck made this whining sounds whenever i turned, and it was noticeably stiffer. note that it was not like this on my way to work, just on my way home. I assume it has something to do with power steering, but would it have to do with the cel too or is that another problem? thanks

 

[snomaker321]

so i stopped raining so i went out to check my power steering fluid, and there wasnt any! Its dark out so i couldnt really see but i must have a hole or something somewhere

 

[LittleBigFoot]

If you don't bleed your PS it can blow the top off the resivor or create a slow leak. I've had this problem. I've got a chunk of my box missing and it tends to leak a little.

In day light, jack up the front end of your truck. Fill up the resivor, and with the cap off, turn full lock to the left, then to the right, then to the left, then the right. It should push up air bubbles. When it stops bubbling you should be good. Have a buddy check for leaks in the process.

I've used stop-leak and it's helped a little.

 

[snomaker321]

would i be ok to add some fluid and drive it a few miles? I have school in the morning.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The CEL has nothing to do with your power steering or engine oil.

If it was flashing that means there is a problem with the engine that can cause dammage to your catalytic converters. Get it scanned and figured out ASAP.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Yeah, I'd suggest having it scanned.

As far as the power steering, yeah, just keep a bottle in the bed and poor it in as needed. Run it dry for too long and you'll burn up the pump.

I've run mine dry quite a few times.

 

[snomaker321]

my dad said that having no power steering fluid would turn on the cel, but he isnt always right. and it only flashed a few times, then stayed on, if that makes a difference.