The Mrs power steering motor packed up today, checked the extended warranty we got with the car. It ran out YESTERDAY!! what are the chances!

Any tips on the cheapest way to fix this? I'm assuming new motor anyway.

beany_bot said:

The Mrs power steering motor packed up today, checked the extended warranty we got with the car. It ran out YESTERDAY!! what are the chances!

Any tips on the cheapest way to fix this? I'm assuming new motor anyway.

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I feel for you from the point of view that it isn't a cheap fix. I had the steering motor replaced on our old POP following a software check by a Fiat dealer in the third year of warranty. They discovered the steering motor had a fault and replaced it without fuss free of charge. The part itself from Fiat, was about £500 and at the time (2 years ago), they told me that the labour cost for Fiat to replace the steering motor, was an additional £500 or so. I'm so very glad I paid the £27 for the second owner dealer warranty. This is why I would absolutely urge anyone with a 500 in the last year of warranty, to get a dealer service a couple of months before the warranty runs out because this is the sort of thing that a dealership carrying out proper diagnostic checks might find. Each to their own though.

If you see the ebay link below, you'll get an idea of prices you can purchase a replacement for, however you would need to check the part number and then you've got to get someone to fit the damn thing and possibly it will require diagnostic set up.

I wish you luck.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Genui...236?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1e85494c2c

beany_bot said:

Any tips on the cheapest way to fix this? I'm assuming new motor anyway.

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Not necessarily - usually it's only the torque sensor that fails, and there are third party companies out there who can replace just this part.

Start by checking out these guys.

Still relatively rare on 500's, but they regularly fail on Pandas (it's a very similar unit).

IIRC if only the torque sensor is replaced, recalibration may not be required.

Going the franchised dealer route is likely the most expensive way of sorting this out (budget for at least £1000); even if you can persuade Fiat to make a contribution (possible if it's only a day out of warranty but less likely after an extended warranty has expired), you'd still probably end up paying more than if you had the steering motor remanufactured.

Oh, and before spending anything, are you sure it's not a battery fault? PAS failure or erratic PAS behaviour (with or without warning lights) is often a sign that the battery is on the way out.

Yup, we got the extended 4th year warranty. Never used it, literally ran out 28th Feb. And today this.... sigh.

It's fixed!?! Or its working again? Does that shine a light further on the issue? It cant be a total mechanical faliure then? It did happen shortly after very very heavy hailstones?

These cars are very susceptible to battery condition. If the steering failed, becoming heavy, battery is more likely suspect than steering motor.
As said above, the torque sensor is the bit that fails mostly, requiring the top part of the column to be swapped. Just done mine on the Panda, with one from these guys, https://www.fiatforum.com/western-power-steering/ (£180 - lifetime warranty)
Give them a call, very helpful.
Changing it is not that difficult if you can wield the spanners yourself.

If it is not the battery, you could try asking the dealer. One day out of warranty, they might offer something. The worst they can do is say no.

portland_bill said:

These cars are very susceptible to battery condition. If the steering failed, becoming heavy, battery is more likely suspect than steering motor.
As said above, the torque sensor is the bit that fails mostly, requiring the top part of the column to be swapped. Just done mine on the Panda, with one from these guys, https://www.fiatforum.com/western-power-steering/ (£180 - lifetime warranty)
Give them a call, very helpful.
Changing it is not that difficult if you can wield the spanners yourself.

If it is not the battery, you could try asking the dealer. One day out of warranty, they might offer something. The worst they can do is say no.

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Thanks,

Thats just it though, I cant really do anything about it now, because if I take it to the dealer and there is "nothing wrong with it" ill get charged £80 for my trouble. Im going to check battery voltage and health in 12 hours.

If your car is four years old, and your battery has never been replaced, just go and buy another one. It'll be £100 well spent and I'd say it's odds on your PAS problem will disappear as if by magic.

Don't even bother trying to test it.

Read this thread to find out why.

jrkitching said:

If your car is four years old, and your battery has never been replaced, just go and buy another one. It'll be £100 well spent and I'd say it's odds on your PAS problem will disappear as if by magic.

Don't even bother trying to test it.

Read this thread to find out why.

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I Was about to Question the @£100 .

then realised it's a Modern FIAT,
( the older - pre-S/S - ones are happy with a £43 battery,)

Charlie