Not your major problem I appreciate, but have they told you where the oil leak is coming from that is costing £250 to fix?
Technical Dreaded power steering failure
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Technical Dreaded power steering failure
It wasn't done properly at ATS but later took it to a battery specialist and it was done properly then :/
Oil leaking from the sump and needs a new head gasket seal.
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i doubt head gasket is actually leaking, but sump could be and that cant cost 250 squid to change, the leak you are describing is probably coming from cam cover, cheap and easy fix
which garage is trying to scam you?
My thoughts precisely. Get a second opinion and post up a picture if you can
The garage have still got the car a the mo. Auto electrician can't book it in till Monday :/
The garage it's with is well recommended and come under the good garage scheme so I'm hoping they wouldn't scam me. My other half took the call from them and is notoriously bad at retaining information so my suspicion is that there is something else or he's gotten it wrong! Will double check.
There was a lot of oil all over the engine when we purchased it. We had cleaned off the seal and ran the engine and no sign of a leak there.
The garage it's with is well recommended and come under the good garage scheme so I'm hoping they wouldn't scam me. My other half took the call from them and is notoriously bad at retaining information so my suspicion is that there is something else or he's gotten it wrong! Will double check.
There was a lot of oil all over the engine when we purchased it. We had cleaned off the seal and ran the engine and no sign of a leak there.
Ask them to tell you where the oil leak is coming from so that you know what they are supposed to be doing. The point being that you need to know where the oil is coming from and some leaks are easier to get to than others, hence the cost.
So the cars now been to the auto electrician and he can't find a fault with it, has suggested it might be the power steering motor, but may just be faulty wiring. I think I've read somewhere that there is a common fault with the Earth on the mk2 punto, or did I dream it lol
Haven't checked re oil leak as trying to remedy the big problem first, they've suggested taking the car back and driving it for awhile to see if the problem returns. I'm guessing if it was the expensive ps fault it would have a fault code?!?
Haven't checked re oil leak as trying to remedy the big problem first, they've suggested taking the car back and driving it for awhile to see if the problem returns. I'm guessing if it was the expensive ps fault it would have a fault code?!?
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When you say the power steering has failed, what are the symptoms?
Does it go heavy?
As mentioned, if you have a P0500 error, your steering will change weight when you are driving. It can be intermittent and you will not notice the speedo dropping out (or you might if you are very attentive).
I would be reluctant giving the power steering the kiss of death for the moment....
Does it go heavy?
As mentioned, if you have a P0500 error, your steering will change weight when you are driving. It can be intermittent and you will not notice the speedo dropping out (or you might if you are very attentive).
I would be reluctant giving the power steering the kiss of death for the moment....
Yes the steering went heavy and the PS light came on. The weird thing is it hasn't happened at all since. We've just collected it and will be driving it daily for the next couple of weeks. Is it too much to hope that the problem might just disappear? It's driving faultlessly at the mo. The auto electrician checked the wiring and no trouble there. It would be fantastic if this isn't going to cost us a fortune!
could well have disturbed a poor connection.. that could be all it needed..,
the PAS is VERY greedy / fussy on power,
Charlie
the PAS is VERY greedy / fussy on power,
Charlie
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In my car, if you really want, you can induce this effect by going to nearly full lock, and then nudging the steering wheel to full lock. At that point, the current drawn is sufficient to give the same effect. This happens with even a new battery, with the alternator giving the right output.
I'd be interested if anybody else can do this...
...and so it continues...power steering gone again this morning. Came back after turning the car on and off again. Having read up even more I'm now thinking we need to go to a fiat specialist :/ from what I've read and with the fault code P0500 it all adds up to needing the rewire from the speed sensor to the fuse box. This problem can also cause the engine warning light to come up apparently which we've also had. I'm hoping this is it and it just wasn't picked up by the auto electrician as he was a dedicated Fiat mechanic.
It's booked in with a fiat specialist garage for Monday. I really hope this is it. Feels like we're throwing good money after bad on this thing and still needs the oil leak sorting.
Atom0007 - I have read that full steering lock can short circuit the PS.
It's booked in with a fiat specialist garage for Monday. I really hope this is it. Feels like we're throwing good money after bad on this thing and still needs the oil leak sorting.
Atom0007 - I have read that full steering lock can short circuit the PS.
Fiat specialist found the code for the big power steering problem. They've changed a fuse and cleaned up the motor after which the code disappeared. Sadly if it returns we'll probably have to scrap the car.
Bought for a friend who's on her own with 2 kids and would benefit hugely from having a car. We've already spent out £70 for wheel bearing, £54 for initial garage check, £68 for Fiat garage check and we know it needs a new tyre and the oil leak doing at £250. The garage are quoting £350 for a reconditioned motor and its just all getting too expensive. MOT is up at the end of August. Absolutely gutted that this has happened and that after all the stress and upset my friend might still end up with no car.
Bought for a friend who's on her own with 2 kids and would benefit hugely from having a car. We've already spent out £70 for wheel bearing, £54 for initial garage check, £68 for Fiat garage check and we know it needs a new tyre and the oil leak doing at £250. The garage are quoting £350 for a reconditioned motor and its just all getting too expensive. MOT is up at the end of August. Absolutely gutted that this has happened and that after all the stress and upset my friend might still end up with no car.
you need to find a new garage not a new car
Problems returned so will probably be scrapping the car. It's been seen by two separate garages, both of which fall under the good garage scheme. I think It is more expensive getting repairs done in the South West (cars are certainly more expensive).
The problem with not knowing how to do things ourselves means we're paying out every time just to get it looked at. The original garage, or the auto electrician they passed the car on to didn't have much idea about Fiat ps issues which is why we took it to the specialist (which was they far more costly).
The problem with not knowing how to do things ourselves means we're paying out every time just to get it looked at. The original garage, or the auto electrician they passed the car on to didn't have much idea about Fiat ps issues which is why we took it to the specialist (which was they far more costly).
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