Hi,

Now before I start, yes, I used the search. Previous threads haven't given be a definitive answer.

2001 MK2 Punto 1.2 8v. Bottom spec. Basic as they come.

We get a power steering fault light (and power steering fails to operate) when turning the wheel at standstill/low speeds and when hitting bumps/potholes. For example, it tripped out as I was reversing off the drive this morning slowly, then again as I pulled out at the end of the road. Then tripped out doing 45ish as I hit a bump taking a corner. Bumps on the straight cause no issues.

The system will trip out and the dash warning light will illuminate. The system resets itself and will operate fine again once the ignition has been turned off and on.

Seems to be when the system is under load, although doesn't do it all the time. Colder weather seems to make it worse and once the car is up to operating temp, it rarely does it. Seems to do it more if the car hasn't been used for a while.

Any ideas where to start? Last thing I want to do is replace the steering column if it isn't faulty. Doesn't seem to be as it is the ECU tripping the system due to drawing too much power (see, i did search), not the column just not working... Can't see it being the battery as we have no starting issues and the car is using the alternator when running, no the battery. Not sure on any alternator issues as we have no charging issues, warning lights or any other electrical issues.

So, any ideas on what could be at fault here? Not my car and the missus has lived with it since she got it late last year but still an annoying issue...

Mucho thankos.

Not something daft like a loose/corroded earth Chris?

I wouldn't discount the battery yet unless it is fairly new. The 1242 wouldn't need a lot of cranking power to start it, but the PAS motor would show up a weakening battery. It might be worth giving it a charge, even if it's just to eliminate it.

The battery is fairly new to be honest. It's a higher rated battery also so shouldn't be the issue. Surely battery would make no real difference when the engine is running though?

Could be an earthing problem I suppose. Haven't got as far as stripping stuff down yet but as I said, no other electical issues and it's not just randomly cutting out, just when under load. Strange the issue goes away once the car is up to temp...

battery does make a diffrence, i had a new hgt cheap one on mine and pas kept failing replaced it for a varta hgt one and all was fine

Take battery out top up water and put on charge for a good 5-8 hours at 6Amps or more and the problem should go away assuming the battery isn't completely knackered

Needs to be put on a computer to retrive the codes sometimes its the steering electric motor

domino40 said:

Needs to be put on a computer to retrive the codes sometimes its the steering electric motor

Click to expand...

hi domino40 have a read of my link to understand why this punto cannot be logged into a computer to see any fault codes for power steering
http://www.gendan.co.uk/article_5.html

I think Domino40 means 'examiner', which is a computer.

The problem with the power steering unit is that it is a single unit with no serviceable parts, (as far as fiat are concerned) so connect to a computer sees fault in power steering unit the only logical diagnosis any garage will make is new steering unit at a cost of £300.

Power problems plague the mk2 steering system which causes intermittent relapsing steering problems like those described at the beginning of this thread this leave the option of making sure the battery is the best it can be and if that doesn't work your back to forking out for a new steering motor/column

You can buy the motor or the computer separately as second hand parts but more often an not its actually the torque sensors in the column that are the problem but really you need to sort the battery change the column and not bother spending £50 on a diagnostic which will tell you only that you need a new steering column

I have a solus and its able to read steering faults, we have replaced just the electric motor aswell as ecu units and complete units.
A second hand unit will be 40 to 60 pounds for the complete unit.

160 pound for a reconditioned steering colum on eBay

domino40 said:

I have a solus and its able to read steering faults, we have replaced just the electric motor aswell as ecu units and complete units.
A second hand unit will be 40 to 60 pounds for the complete unit.

Click to expand...

not on a 2001 MK2 Punto 1.2 8v.
not keen on solus
hopeless would be a better description

s and b said:

hi domino40 have a read of my link to understand why this punto cannot be logged into a computer to see any fault codes for power steering
http://www.gendan.co.uk/article_5.html

Click to expand...

It can't be plugged into an EOBD tool, but it could be plugged into FiatECUScan, which uses Fiat's own protocols and so can access pre-2001 cars and more systems on the car.