Hi Guys, realise this is a common problem but looking for further advice from those FIAT technoheads out there, about a month ago Steering lights came on intermittantly with accompanied Power Steering failure , this quickly became constant, then Engine ECU gave up the ghost :bang: , so car had to go in to dealers, replaced ECU with one from Lynx, thanks very much guys, saved me £200 on Fiat Part , and "technician" (this Vospers garage only just taken on Fiat) said Fiat told him to replace Steering ECU based on codes. I replaced it instead with one I sourced from EBay , and light went out and could select City if I wanted, until I start the Engine, at which point the Power Steering fails . As light goes out after key turn I assume Steering ECU is passing its self diagnostic, am I now looking at VSS or Shaft?

Alot of steering warning light problems stem from the VSS(mod kit available)& it is advised this is carried out first(unless code for motor torque sensors is present-new column!)if you got one from another source it would need to be reset/calibrated on examiner,unless the one you got is faulty in the first place of course?
If it is VSS there will probably be a P500 code in the body computer which is another good way of telling if it is VSS.

Haven't been able to get car into dealer yet due to one thing and another but steering magically started working with the new steering ecu in and no calibration or reset carried out, however this is intermittent which is annoying at best, dangerous at worst, dealer near to me is useless, next nearest one bloody miles away, wondering if anyone has the exact details of the VSS modification so I can DIY it and have power steering back, your help so far greatly appreciated

VSS does not apply to your vehicle, only 2003 models onwards. The most likely problem with this vehicle would be motor torque sensors and that means replacing the complete EPAS column complete with the ecu. Other possibilities would be a charging problem causing the system to power down, but torque sensors are the most common problem.

Thanks for that, the guy at the Fiat place said that the feedback he got from Fiat themselves when he did the diagnostic was to replace the Steering ECU but as I'd seen one on EBay very cheap I'd already got one, do you think a reset/calibration might work or would that not show this intermittant problem, I wasn't expecting it to work at all after the previous post about needing this done after fitting an ECU from another vehicle. Replacing Steering ahaft sounds very expensive, bearing in mind all the many threads on here seeming to point that way, is this not a case for a recall, after all having so many cars steering failing there must have been a crash or two, the missus is scared to drive it when the steering IS working!

NumanR said:

VSS does not apply to your vehicle, only 2003 models onwards.

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Is that right? lol saw 2 getting fitted to earlier puntos last week! more happy (not) customers

Grassy,it should be calibrated via examiner (according to TeSeO) but most guys just fit them and thats it.

power steering shafts from fiat abare about 450-500 pounds each i belive thats with out fitting.

but if you can find out the part number i have seen them on beay recently

T14086 said:

Is that right? lol saw 2 getting fitted to earlier puntos last week! more happy (not) customers

Grassy,it should be calibrated via examiner (according to TeSeO) but most guys just fit them and thats it.

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So, is there a need for VSS modification and what's the spec, does anybody know?

Not got access to relevent info at moment but if Numan reckons post 2003 models then no I guess.I have never know customer to buy the kit,might be dealer fit (under warranty only?) will try & find out tomorrow.

The vehicle speed sensor wiring mod was required on certain post 2003 models due to a software problem on body computers. The modification supplys a smooth feed to the sensor and avoids the signal problem. The kit being only applicable to vehicles from 2003 means its under warranty. Earlier Punto99's had connection problems on the plug to the sensor and also suffered from faulty sensors.

NumanR said:

The vehicle speed sensor wiring mod was required on certain post 2003 models due to a software problem on body computers. The modification supplys a smooth feed to the sensor and avoids the signal problem. The kit being only applicable to vehicles from 2003 means its under warranty. Earlier Punto99's had connection problems on the plug to the sensor and also suffered from faulty sensors.

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we are talking about the same thing,wire into pin 20 under fusebox? Fiat told me it was because the speed signal was getting lost thus logging P500 in body comp/delphi column & ECU? They didn't mention year of vehicle though come to think of it!

Yep thats the kiddy. Later models have an upgraded body computer.

So might I need a new sensor, have bought a steering column because though it might be looking that way and there was a brand new/genuine fiat one on EBay for £100 so thought I'd better snap it up, will this need to be fitted/calibrated by a Fiat garage, can I self fit and get them to calibrate/ get a cheaper garage to fit and calibrate or have I just wasted £100 because I could still need to change the sensor if earlier ones tended to be faulty, want to get the missus driving a reliable motor (but as can't change from a Fiat ) then just trying to do the best thing cheapest to resolve problem.

Bought this car as her least (a Fiesta) was costing a couple of hundred a year to keep on the road and only worth £200, so far Fiat has cost me £500 since Feb!!

Just need to fit it & see mate.Chances are the light will go out & stay out....fixed.Two points worth mentioning,I have heard of faulty units been sold on ebay obtained straight from dealer skip(just a rumour....dont get depressed!)the other concerns the fixing....make sure the fitting at bottom of column(where pinch bolt goes through)is the same as your one only some have a flat on them.
Fitting is no real problem,take your time(watch column doesn't fall on your head when you undo the last 13mm bolt....speaking from experience here )and if your stuck just add it to this thread as someone will be online that can help.
From memory you need deep 13mm socket,10mm,allen keys,small screwdriver for undoing multiplugs,I would recommend disconnecting the battery for safety reasons as you need to disconnect airbag.Put a bit of tape on the clockspring incase it turns & breaks when refitting or that will be another £100

Thanks very much, sounds like my bank Holiday weekend is pretty much planned out then!

Nah......techs get 0.8 (48 minutes) hours for job so couple of hours will see you through.

I dread to ask thereby revealing a little hesitation but, clockspring? Where does that come into it then, or rather where does that spring off to as I dismantle and I spend the next hour searching for?

Is the coiled ribbon cable for the airbag,its part of the switch(lights/wipers)the bit at the front that turns(yellow airbag wire on it)just put bit of tape on it to stop it turning.

Repeat,if your doing it yourself DISCONNECT BATTERY before you start.

Quick guide;
disconnect battery

undo lower steering wheel cover/shroud(4 allen key screws).

unplug 2 ignition switch connectors.turn ignition to posistion one/press tag in & remove ignition barrel & transponder aerial.

remove airbag(3 allen bolts from rear) & disconnect yellow plug back of airbag.

remove steering wheel(24mm nut)disconnect horn wire first

remove top cover/shroud(2 allen key screws)

remove switch(1 allen key)& disconnect all multiplugs

remove black metal cover infront(3x10mm bolts) of steering ecu disconnect the 2 multiplugs.

remove 13mm pinch bolt at bottom of steering shaft.

undo 4x13mm nuts holding column on & remove.

assembly in reverse.......tighten pinch bolt!

p.s.good to mark with tipex bottom of steering shaft to the grey plastic threaded nut so you can assemble in same pace & steering wheel should be straight ahead.

Well, mine is off to the dealers for the steering to be fixed.

It's been intermittent for the last 18 months, but it's now totally dead.

After reading this post, I am a little confused.

Is there anything I should be asking the Dealer to check before I let them replace the entire steering column?

If fault code is 'torque sensors' it needs full column,if anything else its just the steering ecu,you might be lucky & get away with re-calibration of the system or if its a 2003/4 model the VSS wiring update.