Does anyone know what this problem could be, after going on a fairly long drive in my mothers panda and coming upto a round about the power steering just went completely stiff , it was almost impossible to turn the car, after pulling over I checking the fluid and belts and they were all fine, started the car up again and the power steering was fine again, my mother has said it's happened to her a few times, it's a bit dangerous can any one help please
Technical Panda power steering fault
- Thread starter Lawny
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Technical Panda power steering fault
It could be one of two things.
1. Worst case - The power steering could be failing. There have been a few cases on here. Symptoms have included heavier steering one direction. It is an expensive enough replacement but you can get it reconditioned cheaper. There are a few threads on here about this.
2. Other possibility - The battery is old or in bad condition and in need of replacement. There is no mention of any age of the car. Has the battery ever been changed? If it has been in for a few years, I would start by replacing the battery with a good quality one (Bosch or equivalent).
I would recommend starting with the battery. If there's no improvement, then look into the reconditioning option. I believe a full replacement can cost the best part of a grand
!
1. Worst case - The power steering could be failing. There have been a few cases on here. Symptoms have included heavier steering one direction. It is an expensive enough replacement but you can get it reconditioned cheaper. There are a few threads on here about this.
2. Other possibility - The battery is old or in bad condition and in need of replacement. There is no mention of any age of the car. Has the battery ever been changed? If it has been in for a few years, I would start by replacing the battery with a good quality one (Bosch or equivalent).
I would recommend starting with the battery. If there's no improvement, then look into the reconditioning option. I believe a full replacement can cost the best part of a grand
!
The power assisted steering (PAS) is electrical (and not a pumped fluid, like on some older cars...) -- and is probably one of the biggest current draws from the battery (especially on full lock...). If the battery isn't fully-charged -- or is on its way out -- the PAS is usually the first thing to go: sometimes with the red steering symbol coming up on the dashboard; sometimes not.
I would have the battery drop-tested at your local motor factors (or even Halfords, if you're desperate...), ASAP (as losing steering is obviously incredibly dangerous, as you mentioned...) -- which they will usually do for free: as they will then want to sell you one! However, best prices are currently on eBay.
If the battery is getting on for seven years old, I'm amazed it's still got enough amps to drive the PAS...! In your position, I'd be tempted to just change the battery over for a new one -- as it's a relatively cheap fix (around £40, including postage, from eBay, for one for a petrol-powered Panda...) -- and see if the problem goes away....
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Yes. Similar system on the Stilo's.
gr J
gr J
Just had same issue, luckily I have access to MES/cantiecar diagnostics and can read the info, mine was a voltage low warning as the main indicator,
Also worth checking for these kinds of fault - (definition of that - loss of steering, wheel red light on, cures on restart, no difference on power to either side when working or under fault, no unusual noises, no pulling to left or right)
Definitely battery, also check the ground (body) connectors - there are several - many in fact ! located around and with the steering. ANY one could cause this kind of fault.
If you feel comfortable enough, disconnect power, wait 10 mins, remove connectors from EPS unit, torque sensor, motor, ecu etc, spray with contact cleaner (NOT ! WD40 etc) and replace.
More than like sort the issue.
Most EPS faults are very minor, that is why the multitude of repair places charge so little and include delivery and collection. I am convinced that most times it is a simple clean up of connectors as all they need to do.
Also, to add, the reason the steering goes so heavy is that the rack used on the eps models is only 2 point something turns lock to lock, the non eps were 4 point something.. DEFINITELY check tyre pressures also as low pressures and a roundabout can signal a high current trip.
Cap.
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Hi, I too suffered the same problem the other day whereby the power steering went really heavy and the red symbol showed on the dashboard telling me to check the manual. On top of this, two weeks ago, I had been driving in automatic as normal when the car had suddenly gone into neutral and would only then allow me to continue driving in manual. It is a dualogic gearbox and my car is a Fiat Panda Eleganza 2007. The garage plugged it in for me and it came up with a clutch transmission failure to which they said I should replace the entire gearbox at a cost of £1600! This has also happened on several occasions since. Is there any chance the problem with the gearbox could be the battery too??? Thanks for any help you can offer.
See this post
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/344585-eps-issues-thoughts-fault-finding-etc.html
Use the same logic, not sure where you are,b ut if you had a totally crappy winter with salt and grit etc, then you could well have some small electrical issues. The same applies to the transmission.
Check, unplug, clean, re-assemble, clean all battery connections, grounds, ecu plugs, sockets etc etc.
Also, every time you go in for a diagnostic TELL THEM you want the printout - ALL OF IT - you paid for it...
it is yours.It may not mean much to you, but it may well help others to help you.
Probably just an actuator bunged up with bits of the countryside or the garbage they put on the roads...
Hi great thanks for your reply. By the way the diagnostic machine came up with P1810 (clutch system). The garage then recalibrated/reset clutch assembly with the computer, bled hydraulic system and topped up oil levels. They told me to go away and see if it happened again. It did a couple of days later, so I returned and was told that it showed clutch transmission failure and therefore I needed to replace gearbox. The power steering issue has only happened once about a week or so after this. Any chance this could all be down to needing a new battery?? Thanks
Hi Carmela,
Is the gearbox still not working ? or is working again at the moment ?
If it is still working, it could certainly be electrical issues, not necessarily a new battery though.
If the gearbox is now working, so the fault is intermittent, is is more likely to be a connection problem rather than the gearbox itself.
The body node set (Body / Engine ecu) has it's own earth connection, many sensors feed into this, then into the other ecus, the steering for example, and the gearbox control, hence a small issue with the body node earth or supply could cause all sorts of weird and wonderful result.
Can you use a multimeter ?
If so I can give you some fault finding checks.
Is the gearbox still not working ? or is working again at the moment ?
If it is still working, it could certainly be electrical issues, not necessarily a new battery though.
If the gearbox is now working, so the fault is intermittent, is is more likely to be a connection problem rather than the gearbox itself.
The body node set (Body / Engine ecu) has it's own earth connection, many sensors feed into this, then into the other ecus, the steering for example, and the gearbox control, hence a small issue with the body node earth or supply could cause all sorts of weird and wonderful result.
Can you use a multimeter ?
If so I can give you some fault finding checks.
