Hi everyone,

I have a 2006 1.1 active and this is the first winter I will be using it. Today it was cold outside and I was a little concerned that it took 4 attempts to start the car properly. The first 2 times it just wouldn't start and the 3rd time the engine started but the power steering warning light came on - The power steering was just not working - Very heavy. So I turned the engine off and on again for the 4th time - it started as expect and I drove to work ok.

Has anyone else experienced this? Also this is my first car as I only passed my test 8 months ago so it could just be normal in these weather conditions? I checked all the fluids and the car was serviced not long ago.

Help!

Lee

The battery been low on charge would lead to the Power steering cutting out (in case you haven't noticed it uses an electric motor rather than a pump and hydraulic oil set up)


has the car been used much recently?

have you checked the battery electrolite levels of each cell? ( i can grab some photos if you dont know how to do this)

are the battery terminals clean and greased?

are the "earth points" clean and greased?

(earth points can be traced from the black wire from the battery they look like this on my Punto but should be similar on the panda:


https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/169204-grande-punto-engine-bay-earthing-points.html


get it on a long run 20 -30 miles on a-roads to push a decent charge into the battery if it still happens again a replacement battery might be the way to go i'd go to a motor factors rather than a dealer or halfords as your likely to save a bit of money

Andy Monty said:

The battery been low on charge would lead to the Power steering cutting out ... have you checked the battery electrolite levels of each cell?...

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Quick way to check the battery (the battery is sealed so not really able to check cell electrolyte [acid inside the battery] levels) is to look at the little round 'window' on the top: a clear plastic disc about the size of a 1p coin. When fully charged, the window should appear green as a little green ball floats up into it. If charge is low, the green ball sinks so window looks white. There's a little diagram on the battery to explain this. If charge is low, take car for a drive -- 5 or more miles should do it. If charge falls away again later, battery may need replacing (although it should easily last five or more years if car used regularly...)

Pete

My workmates Skoda has done this several times and although the cause of his flat battery remains a mystery(The garage think that basically something is ignoring the CAN command to turn off as it can be fine for weeks then suddenly be almost/completely flat) he was told that the loss of power steering is normal as non essential systems are turned off to allow the car to start with a low battery.
As others have said get the battery checked first.

Ah so it's most likely a low battery, I will have a look later and see what's what. Thanks for the advice!

Herts Hillhopper said:

Quick way to check the battery (the battery is sealed so not really able to check cell electrolyte [acid inside the battery] levels) is to look at the little round 'window' on the top: a clear plastic disc about the size of a 1p coin. When fully charged, the window should appear green as a little green ball floats up into it. If charge is low, the green ball sinks so window looks white. There's a little diagram on the battery to explain this. If charge is low, take car for a drive -- 5 or more miles should do it. If charge falls away again later, battery may need replacing (although it should easily last five or more years if car used regularly...)

Pete

Click to expand...

thought fiat fitted maintainable battery's to all its range (know my 06 GP has)

pasotibbs said:

My workmates Skoda has done this several times and although the cause of his flat battery remains a mystery(The garage think that basically something is ignoring the CAN command to turn off as it can be fine for weeks then suddenly be almost/completely flat) he was told that the loss of power steering is normal as non essential systems are turned off to allow the car to start with a low battery.
As others have said get the battery checked first.

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Can system turn if is unlikly to be it, more a sticking relay.

As for power steering, its not classed as a none essential, especially in modern cars, designed to be driven with it (although not the case in the Panda).

If that light comes on and PS dies, DO NOT drive or even move the car with the engine running/ignition on.

Had this happen on Sisters Panda with low battery voltage, before and after steering konked out, the steer jurked extreamly violently, nearly resulting in me having broken fingers on both hands!

I cannot explain or described just how dangerous it is when the PS unit doesn't recieve required voltage, or fails as a result of this!

Andy Monty said:

thought fiat fitted maintainable battery's to all its range (know my 06 GP has)

Click to expand...

Still classed as maintenance free though.

Toyota were last to use a maintainable battery in their motors in UK, mums 2001 Yaris had one from new.

Jon.

Hi again,

I checked the battery and the little window indicated that it was full, however I plugged in my charger which showed it only had 15% battery power. I left it on charge over night and this morning it started perfectly. I will monitor it over the next 4 weeks to see if it holds the charge.

Thanks for all your help!

Lee

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Still classed as maintenance free though.

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so they can sell more batteries :idea:

if the top caps are removable there is no problem in checking once in a while




Lee that little green indicator is useless as you have found

Andy Monty said:

so they can sell more batteries :idea:

if the top caps are removable there is no problem in checking once in a while




Lee that little green indicator is useless as you have found

Click to expand...

Ohhh, Batteries scare me, just like brakes .

Happily tinker with electrics and engine, but not the battery and acid etc :yuck:

Sisters Panda when steering failed