Hiya, I'd love some advice from you guys. My 2008 500 lounge is playing up every so often. Occasionally, when turning the car, the steering goes very stiff and a message comes up to say 'have power steering checked'. When I pull over and turn the car on and off, it comes back fine and is ok until next time. There's no warning lights on, and my local mechanic (who's great) plugged it in and said it was coming back as showing no faults. The car is very low mileage (34k) and serviced well so I don't think it's too worn out. It's putting me off driving on any fast roads presently, and has happened five times. Any thoughts about what to do?
Technical Fiat 500 'get power steering checked' message?
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Technical Fiat 500 'get power steering checked' message?
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I think its the battery.
My mums Panda did the same, give it a good run and "Italian Tune UP" and it will be OK for a while.
The power steering is electric and when the battery starts to go this sort of thing happens.
My mums Panda did the same, give it a good run and "Italian Tune UP" and it will be OK for a while.
The power steering is electric and when the battery starts to go this sort of thing happens.
I’d get the battery checked as it’s more likely that than anything steering related. If it’s not been used much during lockdown, then I’d also give it an Italian tune up, by giving it a ‘spirited run utilising all the gears and revs’
The electric power steering uses an awful lot of juice - and when the battery isn’t on top form, it can throw up random power steering messages.
This is common on Pandas too.
The electric power steering uses an awful lot of juice - and when the battery isn’t on top form, it can throw up random power steering messages.
This is common on Pandas too.
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Funky Spike
Member
Another vote for the battery.
If it still has the original then it's probably overdue a new one.
Spike
If it still has the original then it's probably overdue a new one.
Spike
Yet another vote here for a failing battery being the probable cause; the second most likely being a failing earth connection - quite likely on a 12 year old car.
If so, then you may need to remove and clean the earth connection at the chassis, and/or replace the earth cable between battery and chassis - both cheap and easy things to try.
A failing torque sensor in the steering column is another (fortunately less likely) possibility.
If it gets worse and you need to keep on temporarily using the car, consider removing the power steering fuse. You'll lose all assistance and it will be very heavy, but you won't have to worry about sudden changes in the effort needed to turn the steering wheel.
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Thanks everyone. It's been happening since before lockdown, so I would like to sort it out. I think it may coincide with the original battery failing a while back, and having a YUASA battery fitted at a Halfords autocentre. Which are the best batteries in your opinion?
No stop start..??
Is it a 1.2 petrol?
The YUASA should be ok.. if they sold you the correct one..
Tell us more
Original battery was replaced "A while back"
How long ago is a while back?
Yuasa batteries are very good though halfords prices are very expensive.
If lock down meant little car use it is highly likely battery needs a recharge using battery charger.
It's not stop start, and it's a 1.2 petrol. Original battery was replaced at least 2 and a half years ago, I was in a rush and had to get it done quickly. Halfords were convenient, though I tend to change batteries myself. The point about them fitting the wrong one is interesting, would that throw up issues like the steering warning message? I would normally avoid Halfords and Kwikfit like the plague.
I checked the Yuasa and it had the white powder around the positive terminal, so after reading comments here and on other sites about the power needed for the eps on a 500 I popped out and bought a new Bosch battery and fitted it myself just now. I'll take it for a run tomorrow and see what happens, it's a pain in the arse.
I checked the Yuasa and it had the white powder around the positive terminal, so after reading comments here and on other sites about the power needed for the eps on a 500 I popped out and bought a new Bosch battery and fitted it myself just now. I'll take it for a run tomorrow and see what happens, it's a pain in the arse.
The yuasa battery has a minimum 3 year warranty, if Bosch battery fixes faults, you may be able to get a free spare battery from halfords.
What is the yuasa battery number?
If it has a silver coloured case it's 5 year warranty.
Just charge it up before taking it in to halfords and tell them you have used the car every other day for 40 miles journeys.
To stop them saying it has been misused.
What is Bosch number you just fitted?
Possibly I can cross ref them.
Hope that sorts it
Do let us know
Do let us know
So long as you have the original reecipt, Halfords are generally very good when it comes to replacing batteries under warranty. I had one with an almost but not quite expired 3yr guarantee that was struggling to start the car after standing for a few days. I was expecting some hassle, but no - they didn't even bother to test it; just gave me another new battery and a fresh 3yr guarantee.
That is 1 thing I have actually done ok there with..
They do ( have..) sell Facom tools too
They do ( have..) sell Facom tools too
YUASA battery was HSB202 12v 45ah 400a, new Bosch one is Bosch s4 202 12v 44ah 420a. The ratings on the YUASA battery have changed since I bought it. I'd be interested to see the numbers referenced, but can't say that going back to Halfords during current crisis fills me with joy. It doesn't at the best of times. I'd be happy just to have resolved the problem, so I'll be reporting back here with updates over next few weeks. Ta.
The small change in battery specifications isn't going to have any material effect on the performance of the battery.
How's the car behaving now that you've replaced the battery?
How's the car behaving now that you've replaced the battery?
Hi,
Thanks for all those numbers.
No need to cross ref as you posted all the specs required to compare the two.
The yuasa and Bosch batteries are equivalent to each other.
The yuasa battery you bought came with a 5year warranty.
If you have a battery charger do charge it up you never know if you may need it again.
Good luck
Jack
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