Chrysler Repair: 2001 PT Cruiser whining noise from power steering, rev note, chrysler dealer

Question
I have a 2001 PT Cruiser with 50,000 miles that developed a “whining” noise coming from the power steering unit (it appears).  It is only there when the weather starts to get cold and is more pronounced as the outside temperature drops.  In the summer you hear it very, very little or not at all.  There are no other noises or problems with the steering.  I finally decided to take it into our local Chrysler dealer to have them look at it as it really annoys my wife in the winter.  I researched the internet just for grins and got answers from everything from air in the system to fluid is low to a bad pump to flush the system and install the latest fluid recommended by Chrysler.  They troubleshot it and called me to tell me that the rack & pinion is bad and needs to be replaced to the tune of $800.00.  They said it is leaking, thus dropping the fluid down causing the whining.  This just doesn’t seem right to me.  I told them not to fix at this time and to just top of the fluid which they said they did (I have not checked the level yet since I picked it up).  The funny part is when I picked up the car it is still “whining” so that tells me the low fluid assumption is not correct and I thought when you had a defective rack and pinion you would feel something in the steering.  Also, I never see any fluid on the garage floor under the engine.  Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Answer
One thing you never mentioned is that you were adding p/s fluid at regular intervals. Once a day, week, month. Since you didn't mention it, I assume that you didn't, therefore there is no leak. The cruiser has this problem and chrysler knows about it. Pick another dealer and make reference to the following:
TSB #19-008-05 REV.

(note you probably have to pay to have this done.) It's basically getting the air bubbles out.

1. Clean the filler cap and fill the reservoir.

2. Attach (tightly) Miller Special Tool, 9688 onto the pump reservoir; then attach a hand vacuum pump (Miller Special Tool) C-4207-A, and apply 68-85 kPa (20-25 in. Hg) of vacuum to the power steering system for at least 3 minutes.

3. Slowly release the vacuum, then remove the special tools and add fluid if needed.


Repeat the process until the fluid level stays the same; then start the engine and move the wheel from lock to lock three times (without stopping). Check for leaks and signs of air in the reservoir; check the fluid level and repeat #1-3 if needed

The pt is equipped with a high volume pump which doesn't allow air to escape on its own.