im Axle Specialists

Technical Steering Problems

Currently reading:
Technical Steering Problems

EmmaM88

EmmaM88

Sarcastic little bugger
Joined
Apr 24, 2008
Messages
1,274
Points
183
Location
Northampton
I have a 4 year old Panda and this time last year, I had a few problems with the steering. It would go very light (as if on city) turning left and heavy turning right (as if the power steering has completely gone) all at the same time.

I took it into the fiat garages near me several times, reset all the electrics again and said to bring it back in if any problems.

Have had no problems since then until last week and it did it again just the once.

Has anyone else had this problem? I seem to think the hot weather is doing it as since its gone a bit cooler again its stopped doing it.

Any advice or similar issues?
 
Have heard similar problems on electric power steered Seicentos. What was happeining with them was the torque switches in the steering column which tell the motor to help you turn the wheel had failed, so it assisted you turning one way but not the other.
 
My 2006 Panda Dynamic AirCon has recently developed a steering problem. It started to make a strange buzzing noise and vibrates when turning the wheel at low speeds (most apparent when idle). Took it to the dealer this week who on investigation found that a new steering unit is required. I was also advised that the car is unsafe to drive!!! Having only covered 13,000 miles its quite shocking, but im just pleased its still under warranty. Anyway I don't know if my problem is related to yours but I would visit dealer asap to be safe.
 
I'l bear the comments in mine. I have took it to the dealers and they've said its nothing life threatening, and to bring it in as soon as it does it.

Only problem in by the time I get it anywhere near a fiat garage its stopped doing it!
 
I have had a similar problem with my old Panda Sporting and yet again with my new 100hp, after doing several reverse parks, turn in the roads etc,(ADI) the steering packs up if i drive 3 meters forward it re-sets itself and works fine until i start to turn and put load on steering motor, Sporting did have new steering assembly replaced but still did it, corsa's does it, same steering unit, Fiat say the electric motor gets hot and shuts down, never mind 99% of the time its fine.
 
I suppose my problem could be what your was, only problem is mine is out of warranty (just) and I really don't want to have to spend hundreds to correct something that only happens now and then!!
 
Phone up Fiat UK (think theyre on 00800 3428 0000) & say youre concerned & see what they say. It's a well known problem on Mk2 Puntos & seems to be common-ish on Pandas & Stilos so they should (you'd hope) have some sort of procedure in place for dealing with this sorta thing. Best to get them to make a note of it now (just out of warranty) than wait a couple of years & find it goes totally & you have to foot the entire bill.

My Punto steering cuts out periodically, but its only ever done it when the steering is under alot of pressure, like when im parking in a tight space. It often co-insides with cold weather so i wonder if it's down to battery voltage (as can be the case with the Stilo).

If it's only cutting out during low speed parking etc, i wouldnt be massively bothered, but if it at about 20mph or when ur going round a roundabout or something, id be looking at getting a solution from Fiat pretty rapidly as that's potentially dangerous.
 
EmmaM88 said:
I have a 4 year old Panda and this time last year, I had a few problems with the steering. It would go very light (as if on city) turning left and heavy turning right (as if the power steering has completely gone) all at the same time.

I took it into the fiat garages near me several times, reset all the electrics again and said to bring it back in if any problems.

Have had no problems since then until last week and it did it again just the once.

Has anyone else had this problem? I seem to think the hot weather is doing it as since its gone a bit cooler again its stopped doing it.

Any advice or similar issues?
Click to expand...

I have the same problem too. My solution was to RESET the computer (taking out the "-" contact from the battery for 1 minute). Now is working fine.
 
I have to come back and say that the "reset" thing did not resolve the issue. It comes up from time to time, in 2 ways: the first one is like emmaM88 said, the second way is fault the entire assistance for steering. If I shut the engine down and start it again it is possible to work fine, or not. I really don't understand. The battery is fine, I've checked it. I must go to a service. Keep you informed.
 
Great keep me informed. I have noticed that it only does it in hot weather so something could overheat?
 
Yes, I noticed that too. It is possible that the electrical engine for dual drive is overheating and sends errors to the computer (I found something about this on the forum). From yesterday I am not using city mode option and until no I didn't received any errors from servo steering system. Keep you informed in a few days.
 
Mine did it again again today, went to take it to the garage next to where I work and it stopped doing it 200yards from the garage.

It must have sensed it :confused:
 
Hello everyone!
I'm having the same problem with an intermittent fault in the DualDrive system.
I bought a 2010 Fiat Panda 1.2 Active on the 6th of January.
I was / am very happy with the car, having traded up from a 2001 Fiat Palio Weekend Liberty :) (not used to these new "contraptions": air con, on-board computer, etc).
Problem is that the scary red light has been "plaguing" my experience with the Panda.
I contacted the dealership and they have sent it to an electrician.
Got the news yesterday that the car was ready to go, but the electrician did warn the fault could occur again.
Said and done... the dealership owner took it to a test drive this morning and voilá... red light again. He reckoned this fault could be solved with the change of a sensor and comissioned one from Italy today for €400 (roughly £300) but I'm concerned it may not be a definite fix, as I read previous posts of Panda owners stating they had to swap the whole system to get it right.
Do you think the changing of the sensor will be enough to solve this problem?

Thank you in advance for your replies,

Henrique
(Santo Tirso, Portugal)
 
Last edited:
henrique said:
Hello everyone!
I'm having the same problem with an intermittent fault in the DualDrive system.
I bought a 2010 Fiat Panda 1.2 Active on the 6th of January.
I was / am very happy with the car, having traded up from a 2001 Fiat Palio Weekend Liberty :) (not used to these new "contraptions": air con, on-board computer, etc).
Problem is that the scary red light has been "plaguing" my experience with the Panda.
I contacted the dealership and they have sent it to an electrician.
Got the news yesterday that the car was ready to go, but the electrician did warn the fault could occur again.
Said and done... the dealership owner took it to a test drive this morning and voilá... red light again. He reckoned this fault could be solved with the change of a sensor and comissioned one from Italy today for €400 (roughly £300) but I'm concerned it may not be a definite fix, as I read previous posts of Panda owners stating they had to swap the whole system to get it right.
Do you think the changing of the sensor will be enough to solve this problem?

Thank you in advance for your replies,

Henrique
(Santo Tirso, Portugal)
Click to expand...

My steering randomly errored stopped working, and even vibrated and shook by itself. and I was told it could be the battery. I didnt believe it and started looking in to other things. I could not believe how everything could otherwise be fine and the steering plays up.

I changed the battery to a new Varta unit and its been perfect ever since.
 
Check battery.... as the steering is electric. A poor battery can cause all sorts of issues..
 
bob1969 said:
Check battery.... as the steering is electric. A poor battery can cause all sorts of issues..
Click to expand...

Yep, on the alessi during the last cold snap the steering failed but was ok once the battery was swapped. On the 4x4 the red steering wheel light is on pretty much permanently but steering has never faltered!

Both have had new bosch batteries - about £43 delivered from eurocarparts - so I don't have to worry about steering/starting issues too much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

leongrey99
Technical Power Steering Problems
Replies
3
Views
298
koalar
koalar
S
Technical Steering problem
Replies
3
Views
719
kmor panda
K
B
  • Question
Technical Steering problem
Replies
11
Views
882
koalar
koalar
Patjes
Technical Converting Panda 169 from power steering to mechinical steering
2
Replies
24
Views
977
Patjes
Patjes
S
Technical Steering play
Replies
7
Views
528
Sfrontato
S
Back
Top