Power steering problem
 

i just installed a new power steering pump but im not getting any power.

Did you put P/S fluid in the reservoir?

Pretty tough to offer useful suggestions when you don't mention any troubleshooting you've done.

Try going through the P/S troubleshooting section in the manual.

Check all your hoses. The electrical connector is for variable assist.
Make sure the reservoir is filled with quality power sterring fluid. DO NOT use atf in these pumps. Start the car and turn the wheel lock to lock. Check the fluid and add as needed.don't run the pump low of it will die.

The FSM specifies ATF Dexron II or M-III. Make sure that's what you used.

i did everything.....i think i got a defective pump.the shop ordered me another one free of charge because the one they gave me was a rebuilt pump.

The pump says power steering fluid only right on the cap. I have seen quite a few pumps die that were running ATF. In an emergency you could use ATF, but I would not run it for an extended period of time. Where are you getting rebuilt pumps? A new one retails for over $1000.

The cap is most likely just a standard generic cap (which they pretty much all say PS only fluid on them). However, the FSM specifies ATF Dexron II or M-III. Now, I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes, but the Dexron II stuff is much thicker than most standard PS fluids.

Interesting... I believe the viscosity difference is the reason it seams to make pumps fail. It will work for a while, but nearly every bad pump I replaced over the years had atf in it. I have never had an issue when using a quality power steering fluid.

fwiw, my PS hose split open a year ago. I drove it home w/o PS fluid about 10 miles, sourced a new hose and refilled with the factory spec Dexron stuff Mahjik mentioned. Been running fine for about a year now with a good 4-6 track weekends in high heat situations. Sadly, if mine fails, I really won't know if its b/c of that lack of fluid last year or the oil wasn't appropriate.

FWIW, my car has had the thicker ATF style fluid in it for PS ever since I've owned it (circa 1998). I don't imagine the previous owner did anything different but my pump is still functioning (knocking on every piece of wood I can find). I would wonder more if the pumps which failed, used the wrong ATF. Most of the stuff I found was Dexron III or IV which apparently (from internet reading, not from experience) is not directly compatible with the earlier specs. Maybe that accounts for some of the failures you've seen when using ATF.

That or mixture of different fluids that are not compatible. Alberto, you are lucky. I've seen the pumps die withing seconds of running dry.

^I guess I am. Maybe my luck is better than I thought. Who sells lotto tickets nearby... :)

I ran into this thread since I have to replace my PS pump and was seeing what fluid to fill it up with. Dexron II (no longer sold) was replaced with Dexron VI, however that's only for transmissions. It says do not use for PS.

It looks like a good option is to get the MV fluid, like Mobil 1 ATF, Amsoil ATF, or Redline ATF M4.

Mazda 3 Service Manual - Power Steering Fluid Inspection - Linkage, Power
Even on this site it mentions Dexron II being equivalent to the MV ATF:

"

• Power steering fluid type
  
• Mazda Genuine ATF M-III, M-V or equivalent (e.g. Dexron ® II)"

Get power steering fluid. That's what I've been using in all the FD's I've touched for years now, zero problems.

I just get it at the local auto parts store. I usually get the synthetic fluid if they have it.

Dale

I use Royal Purple synthetic PS fluid. It is good and can mix with some left over standard PS fluid with no problem.
Mike