very very slow start when cold and ps noise

okay ive been trying to figure out what the heck this whining noise is coming from my truck when i start it when its cold out.

ive defiantly narrowed it down to the power steering but i dont know why. the fluid is at proper level, and all belts are tight and everything. its a whine like low fluid not a squeal like a belt. is it possible the fluid in the pump is to thick an the pump isnt turning it as fast as it wants to when its cold or something? this only happens when i first start it when its cold out side for about 10 seconds then goes a away. or if i turn the wheel when it does that it seems to make it go away faster.

also my truck turns over very very slow when is cold outside. almost thought it wasn't going to make it this morning but the trusty toyota made it.

any ideas on either one?

thanks
brett

 

I dont know about the ps could just be getting old might need a newer one but have you seen this thread this is used combined with a block heater.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/52827-oil-pan-heater-mod.html

 

no i havnt. thats a pretty neat rig. i might have to get one of those and try it. but it start kinda slow even on warm days just really slow when its col. is that just the nature of the 2.7? im used to 22re motors in the older pre tacoma pic ups .

 

When you say cold, around what temp do you mean?
I am assuming that being nova scotia it's below freezing.
Most any car or truck i have had made a whining sound when it was below 10F. It most likely is just the power steering fluid thickening up due to cold temps. It does go away after a few minutes.

As for the battery, Could just be the age of it.

 

yea sorry cold temp i mean -3C. not sure what that is in F ha ha. but yea anything less then around there its a tough go to start and makes that stupid annoying whining. the thickening of the power steering fluid is what i was thinking but i dont think you can fix it unless you put a thinner fluid in to begin with?

 

The slow cranking is definitely your battery. Mine did that since I had it, I thought it was just naturally a slow cranker. As it got colder and colder, it cranked slower and slower until it finally didn't start. I replaced the battery and now it cranks faster than it ever has, it scared me the first time.

 

okay awesome guess its time for a new battery. the fluid im not sure. it was what ever was in there when i got the truck. i might try draining it and refilling it to see if that helps with some thinner type fluid

 

Hmm -3C.(27f.) isn't really that cold for it to thicken. It was 5F. (-15c.) last night and my power steering didn't whine...

 

Waste of time to change PS fluid.
Never heard of that.

As long as it's full, that is all that is needed.

I'm in Iowa and we get -30 F at times (thankfully not at the present) and changing PS fluid is not a tip for cold start help.

Your PS fluid is ATF.
DEXRON II or III. (owners manual)

Just don't overfill as you can damage the PS. (owners manual)

 

okay thanks fellas. big help. ill jst have to live with the whining and the battery will be replaced next pay check