My daughter has a 2009 fiat 500, last week when we started to have cold weather a power steering light came on. The light only comes on when the temp is less than 6c. Having read various forums it suggested a battery issue. We replaced the battery and we are still having issues. Has anyone found a way of resolving this issue. It's fine as the day warms up, but problems mainly in the morning.
Technical Fiat 500 Power Steering Issue only in cold weather
- Thread starter mrrobot
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Technical Fiat 500 Power Steering Issue only in cold weather
Hi, and welcome,
it still sounds like a power supply issue..,
so ;
you've replaced the battery - did you check the output of the alternator..??
the fact it's Temp.related does point to a COLD car struggling to keep up with electrical load demands,
other issues can be a corroded earth cable.. or wear in the steering itself.
in your situation I would,
1, ascertain that the battery is charging properly - alternator output
2, get the PAS 's ECU read for fault codes, as it should flag if there is a steering system component failure
more info;https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/342594-help-my-power-steering-light-start-here.html
then let us know what you find,
Charlie - Oxford
it still sounds like a power supply issue..,
so ;
you've replaced the battery - did you check the output of the alternator..??
the fact it's Temp.related does point to a COLD car struggling to keep up with electrical load demands,
other issues can be a corroded earth cable.. or wear in the steering itself.
in your situation I would,
1, ascertain that the battery is charging properly - alternator output
2, get the PAS 's ECU read for fault codes, as it should flag if there is a steering system component failure
more info;https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/342594-help-my-power-steering-light-start-here.html
then let us know what you find,
Charlie - Oxford
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So number 2, I had this checked and it says there is a steering column fault. But it would do as the light comes on in the cold and it stores that. Right now the car is fine.
As far as 1 is concerned I don't have a clue. Guessing I need to buy a multi meter or get some to check alternator.
As far as 1 is concerned I don't have a clue. Guessing I need to buy a multi meter or get some to check alternator.
A simple check is, when its dark, look at the head lights, now turn on, full beam, hazard lights,fan on full and heated rear screen, see if there's a noticeable dimming of the headlights it points to a alternator issue.
Its also worth checking the earth straps(all) and the connection to the steering rack motor-pull apart and check for corrosion?
Borrow a ANALOGUE multi meter to test the battery voltage.
Its also worth checking the earth straps(all) and the connection to the steering rack motor-pull apart and check for corrosion?
Borrow a ANALOGUE multi meter to test the battery voltage.
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a COLUMN FAULT - rather than a "low-voltage error"..??
any idea what the actual error code was..?
alternator = it should show a MINIMUM of 14 Volts at battery terminals with engine idling , no major loads / lights / fans .etc
£5 volt meter will suffice - battery should show 12V to 13.2 Volts whilst idle
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I was not around when the guy ran the test. I called him and he could not remember the number but said it says something like internal fault. Looking at the fiat codes all of these relate to internal:-
P0601 Internal control module, memory check sum error
P0603 Internal control module, keep alive memory (KAM) error
P0604 Internal control module, random access memory (RAM) error
P0605 Internal control module, read only memory (ROM) error
P0634 ECM/TCM - internal temperature too high
P0667 ECM/TCM internal temperature sensor - circuit range/performance problem
P0668 ECM/TCM internal temperature sensor - circuit low
P0669 ECM/TCM internal temperature sensor - circuit high
P0667, PO668 & PO669 seem to relate to the issue. But I don't know how I would go about fixing.
P0601 Internal control module, memory check sum error
P0603 Internal control module, keep alive memory (KAM) error
P0604 Internal control module, random access memory (RAM) error
P0605 Internal control module, read only memory (ROM) error
P0634 ECM/TCM - internal temperature too high
P0667 ECM/TCM internal temperature sensor - circuit range/performance problem
P0668 ECM/TCM internal temperature sensor - circuit low
P0669 ECM/TCM internal temperature sensor - circuit high
P0667, PO668 & PO669 seem to relate to the issue. But I don't know how I would go about fixing.
Where is the car based..?
Its possible a forum member is nearby..
Charlie . Oxford
Its possible a forum member is nearby..
Charlie . Oxford
I have MultiEcuScan and could pop up on a saturday to read the fault codes and clear them, don't have a multimeter though so might be worth arranging myself and T Bay to pop over on the same day/time.
eLearn says this for testing the alternator on my 1.4 16v Fiat Idea:
That's one way of testing it! Though to put such a demand at idle is slightly unrealistic max output is usually 1500-2000
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burrowsdeano
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There are software updates for power steering lights coming on at first start up. Might just need an update, would get it checked out by a dealer. Might save you a load of unneeded work
If you want a really good Indy Fiat garage use MotorMech in the city centre:
http://www.motor-mech.co.uk/index.asp
quite possible,
but - until they've checked the basics of the charging circuit,
there's not much point throwing £100 at it.
I'd still want to know what the PAS thinks the error is though - power supply drop , or something more integral.
