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Technical Steering issue...

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Technical Steering issue...

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AidanHorton

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Before you link me the sticky thread or any other thread I am aware that these exist- but I just want a quick opinion since I am on a time scale.
Basically the power steering drops out on my Fiat Punto Mk2/2b (the one with the funky rear lights).
I've only had the car just over a week and the previous owner didn't have this problem. It is definitely worth noting that the battery did go flat between the time I bought it and the old owner not driving it. I can't tell you whether or not there is a steering light simply because I haven't looked.
Just any opinions are appreciated - and I am aware that this exact question may have been asked before.
Thanks!
 
AidanHorton said:
Before you link me the sticky thread or any other thread I am aware that these exist- but I just want a quick opinion since I am on a time scale.
Basically the power steering drops out on my Fiat Punto Mk2/2b (the one with the funky rear lights).
I've only had the car just over a week and the previous owner didn't have this problem. It is definitely worth noting that the battery did go flat between the time I bought it and the old owner not driving it. I can't tell you whether or not there is a steering light simply because I haven't looked.
Just any opinions are appreciated - and I am aware that this exact question may have been asked before.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Fully charge the battery off the car. If the issue wasn't present with the previous owner and the battery went flat that points towards a faulty battery. It may need a new battery. But if everything worked before flat battery I'd check the battery first including connections and earth.
 
Nickhmh said:
Fully charge the battery off the car. If the issue wasn't present with the previous owner and the battery went flat that points towards a faulty battery. It may need a new battery. But if everything worked before flat battery I'd check the battery first including connections and earth.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I'm a newbie when it comes to things like checking the battery, and charging it. I'm guessing for fully charging the battery you'd have to go to a mechanic? Or can you charge it fully by driving around for a while?

I'll look into some replacement batteries as well.
As for checking the connections, do you mean checking the voltage and current is all as it should be, or checking the wires and connections themselves?

Thanks!
 
AidanHorton said:
Thanks for the reply. I'm a newbie when it comes to things like checking the battery, and charging it. I'm guessing for fully charging the battery you'd have to go to a mechanic? Or can you charge it fully by driving around for a while?

I'll look into some replacement batteries as well.
As for checking the connections, do you mean checking the voltage and current is all as it should be, or checking the wires and connections themselves?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
If you go to Hanford's they will test it for you for free:) Yes you can charge the battery by driving but if it's totally flat a proper charger is best imo..good luck:)
 
Quick update on the situation, haven't yet booked an appointment at Halfords, but I'm no longer getting the steering cut out. I could be speaking too soon but it hasn't cut out in a few hours of driving, so the battery has probably charged itself up.
Thanks for all the help, I'll report back if it pops up again
 
AidanHorton said:
Quick update on the situation, haven't yet booked an appointment at Halfords, but I'm no longer getting the steering cut out. I could be speaking too soon but it hasn't cut out in a few hours of driving, so the battery has probably charged itself up.
Thanks for all the help, I'll report back if it pops up again
Click to expand...
Nice one! Fingers crossed:)
 
AidanHorton said:
Quick update on the situation, haven't yet booked an appointment at Halfords, but I'm no longer getting the steering cut out. I could be speaking too soon but it hasn't cut out in a few hours of driving, so the battery has probably charged itself up.
Thanks for all the help, I'll report back if it pops up again
Click to expand...

Even so it is worth getting the battery tested. The chemistry of a lead acid battery is irreversibly damaged when the battery is left with a voltage less than 10.5Volts. These batteries cannot be restored by going through a few charging and discharging cycles and probably you are just lucky now the weather is warmer and the next cold day you are going to back in the same situation..
 
You could also buy yourself a battery charger, they're not that expensive. Always handy to have one around. Make sure you disconnect the wiring from at least the negative side (black) of the battery before charging.
Here is a video:

http://www.halfords.com/advice/motoring/how-to-guides/charging-your-car-battery-guide-video

I've just watched this and am a little concerned that they didn't remove the negative cabling from the battery before connecting the charger. Now I'm knocking on a bit and my old dad said that you should always disconnect one side of the battery before charging...has that changed?

Ahh, now here is the RAC advice....disconnect the battery, I know I'd trust the RAC over Halfords any day of the week...

https://www.racshop.co.uk/advice/how-to-charge-a-car-battery
 
i Dont tend to disconnect battery when charging personally

CBA to set the bloody clock and stereo up each time

Ensure its not like a Mega high voltage charger - some charge at 18v, which may fry ****, so if it is, Yes battery disconnected

like mine - it charges at 14v (which is running voltage) so its safe and fine

Ziggy
 
Quick update #2

Steering went heavy again, at night time this time, when it was cold, so all still points to the battery (which I hope is the issue, otherwise it could get mega expensive).
Going to take it to Halfords to get it charged and checked for free and see what they say. May end up getting a new battery.

Thanks for the pointers on charging it myself, but I believe a free charge comes with the checkup so I'll leave it for now ;)
 
AidanHorton said:
Quick update #2

Steering went heavy again, at night time this time, when it was cold, so all still points to the battery (which I hope is the issue, otherwise it could get mega expensive).
Going to take it to Halfords to get it charged and checked for free and see what they say. May end up getting a new battery.

Thanks for the pointers on charging it myself, but I believe a free charge comes with the checkup so I'll leave it for now ;)
Click to expand...
If you're steering system has failed...most likely it's your battery...there is a company called Ecu testing. Who RE build Eps columns for £150 with lifetime warranty. I'm using one from them and it's been perfect for nearly 4000 miles.
 
Halfords seem to think my battery is fine. Weird?
Not sure what to do, might look into Ecu testing.
Heavy steering doesn't happen very often, and it seems to be less frequent now, which I would normally associate with the battery being charged more...
Anyways I might go get my battery charged and see what happens from then. Any suggestions where to get my battery charged?
 
Always disconnect the terminal whilst charging the battery with an external charger ,I have seen cases with irreversible damage , best is to disconnect both terminals and charge the battery
 
New update on the issue.
Sometimes when I turn the wheel full lock, keep it there for a short time and drive while it's locked the steering goes heavy. Turn off + on again fixes it. It doesn't seem to happen any other time.
 
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