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I am the owner of the 2000 dodge dakota quad cab you just help with the noisey brakes. My other question is:
I'm receiveing the check engine light. When I ran the diagnostic test by turning the iginition off and on three times, I received P0551 as an error. I've looked this up and here is what I found: Power Steering Switch Failure. Is this correct? If so, will this be expensive to repair? Is the truck safe to drive until I get this repaired?

Thanks,
Tim

Submitted: 1188 days and 11 hours ago.

Category: Car

Value: $10

Status: CLOSED

Optional Information:
2000 Dodge Dakota V8

Posted by Hammer Time 1188 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

Yes, that is an issue with the Power steering switch circuit.

The switch is the most likely cause but there is always a possibility of the problem being in other components of the circuit.

Here's the official flow chart tests for that code. This is designed to eliminate all possibilities for the code.

View Full Image

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SYMPTOM
P0551 - POWER STEERING SWITCH FAILURE

WHEN MONITORED
With the ignition key ON and engine running.

SET CONDITION
With the vehicle above 40 mph for over 30 seconds , the power steering pressure switch remains open.

POSSIBLE CAUSES
power steering pressure switch ground circuit open

Wiring harness intermittent problem
power steering pressure switch
Power steering pressure switch sense circuit shorted to ground
Power steering switch sense circuit open
PCM

Yes, the truck is safe. It's just that the computer is not seeing a signal from the power steering switch. It does this like pause the A/C and increase the idle when it sees high pressure.

Edited by Hammer Time on 8/22/2006 at 7:24 PM

1188 days and 11 hours ago.

Reply

Reply to Hammer Time's Post: Thanks for the reply. Is the truck ok to drive until I fix the problem?

Accepted Answer

I had already edited my last response to address that. It's not a big deal. I might try just throwing a switch in. I don't think they are expensive and they just thread in and out.

Accepts:
Expert:	Hammer Time
Pos. Feedback:	97.9 %
Answered:	8/22/2006

L1 Master Technician

ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.

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