And is more environment friendly, imagine hundreds of gallons daily poured down the drains etc
The BBC WATCHDOG THREAD
- Thread starter Andy Monty
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The BBC WATCHDOG THREAD
And is more environment friendly, imagine hundreds of gallons daily poured down the drains etc
mtsw
New member
I hope the Following information will help anyone with the dreaded power steering problem
My Daughters fiat panda 1.2 had this problem with the power steering failing,
We had it repaired by a small company called Western Power steering, based in Bristol
Total cost was around £299 and that’s including fitting.
Got the car to them at 9.30 in the morning,
They phoned us to say car was ready to pick up at 12.45
Gave a lifetime warranty (for as long as we own the car).
No problem with the steering since.
Excellent service
If you’re having problems with your steering I would highly recommend this company.
For the benefit of everyone, there is not ONE reason why the EPS can fail there are MANY. What might work for one person does not always work for another, there are loads of EPS related error codes and sometimes none at all.
I wonder how many units have been condemned because of a faulty or poorly charged battery or a missing speed signal...more than a few!
I wonder how many units have been condemned because of a faulty or poorly charged battery or a missing speed signal...more than a few!
I'm sorry. If any units have been condemned because of a missing speed signal, or, more improbably, a poorly charged battery, this is a reflection on the integrity of the garage or dealer. The fact is that this is a long standing and well known issue which Fiat has avoided addressing for many years.I have seen references to this happening to Pandas from 02 onwards, never mind the other models in the range.
Some have posted on here that this fault is not a killer and doesn't make the car a death trap. Well perhaps, perhaps not. When the steering went on my wife's Panda on the school run, she certainly didn't feel it was just 'one of those things'. It was scary and unexpected.
It's no good being defensive over Fiats reputation on this issue. They are in the wrong. They have known about this issue for years. If it crops up under warranty, they deal with it. Outside warranty, they duck and weave. My wife's car had the steering sensor unit refurbished by BBA Reman, at a considerably cheaper price than that quoted by the local Fiat dealer. More intriguingly, BBA claim not simply to refurb. the unit but to also correct a known technical issue. They guarantee their unit for two years as opposed to the 12 months for the official Fiat replacement.
Fiat deserve all the criticism they are getting over this.
Some have posted on here that this fault is not a killer and doesn't make the car a death trap. Well perhaps, perhaps not. When the steering went on my wife's Panda on the school run, she certainly didn't feel it was just 'one of those things'. It was scary and unexpected.
It's no good being defensive over Fiats reputation on this issue. They are in the wrong. They have known about this issue for years. If it crops up under warranty, they deal with it. Outside warranty, they duck and weave. My wife's car had the steering sensor unit refurbished by BBA Reman, at a considerably cheaper price than that quoted by the local Fiat dealer. More intriguingly, BBA claim not simply to refurb. the unit but to also correct a known technical issue. They guarantee their unit for two years as opposed to the 12 months for the official Fiat replacement.
Fiat deserve all the criticism they are getting over this.
D4nny8oy
Established member
If the woman in the programme learnt how to hold a steering wheel while cornering, she might have found it easier to maintain control. 
We've got a Saxo trackcar and binned the electric pump from the electro-hydraulic PAS when it failed, leaving the (shorter ratio) rack in place. Sure it's heavier, but once you're moving you wouldn't know the difference (as steering assistance is virtually non-existant while above 30mph anyway).
We've got a Saxo trackcar and binned the electric pump from the electro-hydraulic PAS when it failed, leaving the (shorter ratio) rack in place. Sure it's heavier, but once you're moving you wouldn't know the difference (as steering assistance is virtually non-existant while above 30mph anyway).
KozmoNaut
Member
You have to be ready for unexpected events every time you venture into traffic. Things like this can and do happen and how you handle the situation is a reflection of your skills as a driver.
If you panic over something minor like this issue, you need to take a good hard look at why you're still driving around a 1+ ton steel and plastic machine with enough potential energy to seriously maim or kill other people.
I simply stated other causes of steering failure, not who is/is not to blame however I think your post was in general and your opinion and not directed at me.
2 year warranty for official Fiat replacements by the way.
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Failiure of one of your cars key system's shouldn't be one of them. Even if it gave you 10seconds before it lost assistance would be enough for everyone to deal with the issue without incident.
Like I said it caused my dad to crash my car and he was by no means a weak man! I can see why a lot of drivers with this issue loose confidence in their car after it happens!
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every time D4nny8oy posts i hear oh danny boy song inside my head
KozmoNaut
Member
OP
OP
well if your driving a car you should be prepared for literally anything... child running out in front of you, brakes failing, car to break traction due to diesel on a roundabout, tyre blow out,
lol kozmo same time
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or a blow out or fire or any other emergency
Have you tried to suddenly change direction in a car which has undergone power steering failure? Did you see the BBC programme last night? They had a muscle bound weightlifter
trying negotiate a slalom of cones in a Punto with the power steering disabled. He couldn't manage it. Being prepared to brake when a kid runs out in front of you is one thing . Inf act it's straightforward, providing your brakes work. Going entering a bend and then finding you can't get round it because the steering suddenly becomes heavy, is another.
trying negotiate a slalom of cones in a Punto with the power steering disabled. He couldn't manage it. Being prepared to brake when a kid runs out in front of you is one thing . Inf act it's straightforward, providing your brakes work. Going entering a bend and then finding you can't get round it because the steering suddenly becomes heavy, is another.
KozmoNaut
Member
I have tried turning my car while it was rolling downhill with the engine off (I was moving it to another parking spot and couldn't be bothered to start it). Yes, the steering is heavy, but it really isn't that bad as long as the car is moving.
Stating that a "muscle bound weightlifter" was unable to control the car is bull, he messed it up for the cameras. It's heavy, but not that heavy. I'd say it's about as hard as riding a motorcycle with a sidecar. You get a fair amount of exercise, but it's quite manageable.
Stating that a "muscle bound weightlifter" was unable to control the car is bull, he messed it up for the cameras. It's heavy, but not that heavy. I'd say it's about as hard as riding a motorcycle with a sidecar. You get a fair amount of exercise, but it's quite manageable.
OP
OP
When in real life do you drive your car round a slalom? the cones looked rather close together too.....
I have had the hydraulic steering fail on me driving one of these due to a faulty valve chest
these dont have a steering rack they are on a hydraulic ram with a hydraulic slave under the steering wheel so no physical connection to the wheels but was able to retain control and fetch it to a safe halt believe me it is VERY hard to steer one of them but with the power assist working you can turn the wheel with 1 finger even with 4 tonnes of load on the deck
I have had the hydraulic steering fail on me driving one of these due to a faulty valve chest
these dont have a steering rack they are on a hydraulic ram with a hydraulic slave under the steering wheel so no physical connection to the wheels but was able to retain control and fetch it to a safe halt believe me it is VERY hard to steer one of them but with the power assist working you can turn the wheel with 1 finger even with 4 tonnes of load on the deck
yes
D4nny8oy
Established member
Cheers Dave. I think of your TV channel when I see one of your posts.
I fail to see how hammy acting-up for the camera's and negotiating a tight line of cones at 5 mph consitutes a valid arguement. Had they done the test at speed (where PAS assistance is low anyway), the result wouldn't have been "great TV" for Watchdog.
The fact is, Fiat don't make the columns. The 3 models they highlighted have 3 different PAS systems, as does the Stilo, Croma, etc. The complaints should really be directed at those companies- if it were a simple fix, do you not think Fiat would have sorted it by now, thus saving a huge amount in warranty claims by Dealers which it has to pay for?
Many other manufacturers use EPAS too, and have similar issues, why weren't they singled out for a slating?
KozmoNaut
Member
Many other manufacturers use EPAS too, and have similar issues, why weren't they singled out for a slating?
Because "Fix It Again Tony", probably.
jameshobiecat
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Or even "fix it again tomorrow".
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