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Pedantic I know, but it's the Electro hydraulic PAS pump that failed on these cars, or the wiring to it - a steering rack can't really catch fire - being made of steel and aluminium alloy.
Technical Electric Power Steering Failure
- Thread starter PlopHole
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Technical Electric Power Steering Failure
Pedantic I know, but it's the Electro hydraulic PAS pump that failed on these cars, or the wiring to it - a steering rack can't really catch fire - being made of steel and aluminium alloy.
TrevC
Established member
Fair play! Fortunately niether failure nor fire happened to me.
Just ordered a new battery, hopefully be here tomorrow. Guess I probably didn't need to (still intermittent on flagging the steering fault) but before this cropped up I was getting a little suspicious of the battery on occasion so figured it was worth changing now before it lets me down at the (usual) most inconvenient time. Internet seems to reckon 3 years is a bit on the low side but looking over my 500s life (regular usage on c.15 mile trips for just over a year, then mostly garaged for a year being used every 3-2 weeks at most and now on two short return trips (c. 4 miles each way) and one longer return trip a week) I can't say I'm overly surprised.
Good call. I'm all for saving money whenever possible, but risking being left stranded at an inconvenient time to save the price of a battery which you'll need to replace soon anyhow just doesn't make sense to me.
Well new battery in, left it standing for a couple of days over christmas, started her up and voila, no more red steering light 
Had this a year or so ago I think, garage applied a software update and not had it since. It was something to do with low battery and the software change made it less sensitive.
Was done under warranty
Was done under warranty
Warning sign came on last night temps about 4 degrees C. First time, checked this morning no warning first start up. I have a similar problem with brake light in Summer when really hot for past two summers, that comes on but then doesn't stay on. My 500 is 4 years old this month, had it from new, is it safe to say based on comments here that the battery is on it's way out?
Has anyone taken their 500 to the dealer outside warranty and if so did they charge a lot to check fault? Will a normal garage be able to check it, if it happens again? Just wondering as funds are short at moment.
Has anyone taken their 500 to the dealer outside warranty and if so did they charge a lot to check fault? Will a normal garage be able to check it, if it happens again? Just wondering as funds are short at moment.
Where are you located?
My 500 is 4 years old this month, had it from new, is it safe to say based on comments here that the battery is on it's way out?
It's a strong possibility.
Personally I'd replace the battery before rushing off into diagnostics.
yep, cold weather will expose a weak battery
Personally I wouldn't buy a new battery, just a smart charger. Cheaper and it'll pay for itself in no time
Personally I wouldn't buy a new battery, just a smart charger. Cheaper and it'll pay for itself in no time
Agreed. I've used my CTEK charger already on the new TA to ensure the battery was fully topped up. Really glad I bought that bit of kit.
Yet again I am profoundly grateful for the existence of the internet, and this site in particular. It's already saved me a lot of head scratching, time and potentially expensive dealer visits for stuck boot handles, dodgy hatch wiring and split rear footwell washer tube and now it's reassured me that I can safely ignore Luigi whinging about power steering failure on the coldest day of the year yet and only on first startup for the day. I'll keep an eye on the battery and consider replacing for something a bit more beefy if it starts reoccurring or I get any other symptoms.
Mine had the power steering light failure and then my battery died completely when i had stopped to pop into a shop.
Then I had the horrid start up noise. Turns out the starter motor just needed taking out and cleaning a bit
All been well since battery and clean starter motor.
Then I had the horrid start up noise. Turns out the starter motor just needed taking out and cleaning a bit
All been well since battery and clean starter motor.
Hi to all, I've had the same problem on my 1:2 Pop. However, the light has now dissapeared so I'm putting it down to the recent cold damp weather and a slightly sluggish battery. I haven't driven my 500 for a while but I took it for a spin yesterday and no light at all.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
