M998 - 1993 - Power steering and starting problems

[texian05]

Ok, so I picked up a 93 M998 about a year ago. Been lurking a while but have enjoyed the forum.

Two days ago, when I tried to start it, things got.... wonky. I have a keyed ignition on it and when I turned it to the on position, it tried to fire up immediately instead of leaving it there while the glow plugs heated up then turning the ignition to start. Basically, I'd have to leave the transmission in drive or reverse, let the glow plugs heat up, then move to neutral and then it would start immediately. As soon as it starts, there's a light, but loud, grinding sound until I push it back into drive or reverse.

Then today when I was driving it in to work, the power steering went out on it.

So, I guess first question, are thsee related?
Second, are they common problems?
Third, for someone who would do light to medium work on a Jeep Wrangler when I had one, if these are common problems, what are they and are they something I can tackle on my own pretty well?
Fourth, if not something I should tackle on my own, any recs on the West side of Houston to take her into on Monday to get it back into shape?

 

[NDT]

Unrelated. Starting problem is common for those with the crappy key switch. The noise you hear is the starter remaining engaged with the engine running. Get rid of the key switch. PS could be no fluid, bad pump, others …

 

[mgFray]

As far as I can tell, expect to go through a key switch regularly if you have one. The 24V and current seem to like to fry/weld the insides of the cheap switches that seem to be available online and at auto-parts stores.

(I've got one, but I'm already making plans to move back to a real switch, with a key on/off to the switch... not yet sure how I'm going to do it though)


As for the Power Steering. Verify fluids, verify the hoses, if the brakes are still boosted, then it's likely the power steering box. They do fail, but I've not heard of it happening a lot. Hydraulics also control the fan via the cadillac valve, so something to keep in mind -- if any of those hoses are leaking it's all going to start failing pretty quickly.

 

[texian05]

As far as I can tell, expect to go through a key switch regularly if you have one. The 24V and current seem to like to fry/weld the insides of the cheap switches that seem to be available online and at auto-parts stores.

(I've got one, but I'm already making plans to move back to a real switch, with a key on/off to the switch... not yet sure how I'm going to do it though)


As for the Power Steering. Verify fluids, verify the hoses, if the brakes are still boosted, then it's likely the power steering box. They do fail, but I've not heard of it happening a lot. Hydraulics also control the fan via the cadillac valve, so something to keep in mind -- if any of those hoses are leaking it's all going to start failing pretty quickly.

Thanks for bringing up the brakes. They were.... spongy. Forgot to mention that.

 

[texian05]

And when the power steering went out, there was a very weird.... whine? for a bit then then stopped and now steering.

 

[mgFray]

Sounds to me like the pump died, you ran out of hydraulic fluid or something similar. Fix the 'fluid'/pump issue first, then work on the cadillac valve/hydraulic fan, brake booster, and then power steering box.. (at least that is the order I would do it)

If the pump has fluid in it, you can remove the hoses from the fittings at the cadillac valve to verify fluid is flowing.. (it may come out HIGH PRESSURE and HIGH VOLUME! Consult the TM for diagnosing the power steering pump and fluids!). I would start at the fan clutch fitting (this assumings you fan was working properly before), then go to the input/output sides to check on those.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Your keyed switch is wired wrong or failed, I woult immediately remove it and install an OEM switch