[oneman275]

hi everyone while I was driveing I noticed my headlights dim my amp volt guage get real low and the power steering belt fan belt squeal you could smell like the belts were burning then it stopped squealing the headlights were bright again then it happened two more times when I opened the hood there was some kind of fluid all over everything I'm guessing power steering fluid could the steering pump be going bad or could this be another problem thank you everyone for any advice given its a 1990 wrangler yj 4cyl

 

[amerijeep]

Sounds like a belt slipping. Replace the belt. That would explain the lights dimming. The belt is slipping on the alternator pully.

 

[naviathan]

When you pull the belt spin your altenator to make sure everything is moving freely. If the brushes start going bad it could form a dead spot that would cause drag and burn up the belt. Unlikely, but entirely possible. While your there type thing.

 

[racer-xerols]

Um, I think we're missing his real problem - the fluid he says was all over everything. On my 4.0 YJ in front I have the possibility of coolant, power steering or engine oil leaking on the belts; I'm sure the 2.5 is the same, with the added possibility of a/c freon (mine's a/c delete). What color was the fluid? If it was red, you're probably right it was PS fluid (most can use either PS fluid or interchange with Dexron III auto transmission fluid). Green would be coolant (had a loose hose clamp on my rad when I bought my YJ, put a nice stripe on the inside of the hood). Engine oil is, of course, brownish-black depending on your maintenance schedule.

Go to the parts store and buy a few cans of brake cleaner and hose everything off that's even slightly wet. It won't hurt anything, but try not to get it on the finished paint on the exterior just to be safe (there's chlorinated and non-chlorinated and one will etch paint, but I can never remember which). It evaporates completely leaving nice, clean, dry parts behind and will remove whatever the fluid is. Go on a 10 mile test drive (on dry roads) and come home. Check for fluid leaks again - you should be able to pinpoint it then. And make sure to tension all the belts properly when you're done

 

[1BLKJP]

If you say the fluid was all over everything then on top of telling what color it is also check all of your fluids for levels to see if one is significantly lower.

 

[amerijeep]

Um, I think we're missing his real problem

Sorry. I didn't read that far into the post. I confess I don't read long post. I get bored. I apologize.

 

[daddyjeep]

Come on Amerijeep. Get with it already.

 

[jeeperman]

Come on Amerijeep. Get with it already.

No doubt! What are you, new?