adamsusa

While performing interior detailing I discovered fluid collecting around the TPMS set button. Fluid has consistency of oil and was slightly brown (see attached photo). Haven't noticed any problem and don't think it's leaked much as there's no evidence on the carpet below. Searched this forum found no hits.

Anyone have experienced or thoughts on the source of this? Is there fluid in the steering column inside the dash?

bc6152

Anything wet under the hood up near the firewall?

chromedome

Something related to the air conditioning compressor? The ES uses electric power steering, I don't think the system has any hydraulic fluid.

Dave Mac

This is interesting - and it does look like something has leaked - but before I go too far I would go ahead and wipe it off and see if it re-appears or might have been there since production. I say wipe it off assuming that your car is no longer under warranty and you will not need to show it to someone for service.

Dave Mac

adamsusa

Engine compartment is perfectly normal - nothing on the firewall. This fluid is definitely coming from something within the dash.

adamsusa

Follow-up to the initial responses:

@BC6152 - Engine compartment is perfectly normal - nothing on the firewall. This fluid is definitely coming from something within the dash.

@chromedome, @ Dave Mac - I did wipe after taking the photo. While wiping I felt around working my way upward from the visible pooling and appears to be coming from the large housing in the steer column above it (see circled area in picture). Haven't seen a diagram/schematic so not sure what it is/does - could this be an electrically powered motor for the Power Steering?

P.S. Has 75K miles so assuming no warranty for this - who knows how long it's been there.

jamestpc

is it a lot? or just some spotting/runs? Is this your first summer with the car?

I remember long ago, a buddy lubed his steering. Now that weather is warming up, perhaps its 'melting' and dripping off?

adamsusa

It's basically what you see in the picture. Haven't notice staining or evidence of it in the carpet below so probably hasn't been happening too long or too much. I'm original owner (5 yrs next month). Nothing under the dash has been lubed.