Most likely a loose belt - low fluid levels will result in a continuous squeal.
I've had both occur on mine over the years. If you haven't flushed the
system, now might be the time. A quart or so is enough, just remove the
return line from the tank and feed it into a container. Crank the engine until
reservoir is almost empty, then stop, remove filter and clean in solvent.
Dry it off, re-install & top off tank with new ATF. (or simply remove tank
and clean the whole works in solvent.). Continue cranking until fluid from
return is same colour as new ATF. The colour of my old stuff was a dark
rusty brown...

On 5 Sep 2003 at 21:57, Dan Erlandson <danoer1@ECLIPSE.NET> wrote:

> My wife tells me that there has been a squeal from the engine compartment a
> couple of times during the last week when she started up the van. It goes away
> after a few seconds.  I haven't been lucky enough to have it occur when I have
> started and driven the van.  Today she told me that it seemed to get worse when
> she turned the steering wheel sharply to make a turn, but then went away when
> she started driving.  Sounds like the power steering pump? Is this a classic
> sign of impending pump failure?  Had the pump disconnected from the passenger
> head when I did the head gaskets over the summer, but never opened the system
> up.  If I do have to replace the pump do I have to "bled" the system?  Thanks
> for any info.
>
>
> --
> Dan Erlandson
> Flemington, NJ
> > danoer1@eclipse.net
> 91 VW Vanagon GL 175,000 mi
> 99 VW Passat 113,000 mi
>

--
Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
'88 Westy 375k
'85 Jetta D 263k
'85 Jetta TD 482k (retired)
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