Hi - hopefully somebody can help me!

The alternator failed on my 1.9 16V last week and after being replaced today, the electric steering didnt work. The garage did not have the electronics to reset, but as I have the full Multi ECUscan, thought - no problem, I can do it.
The thing is, the ECU wont connect and even with a Proxy Alignment, the problem was not solved. In fact, now it looks as if the module is not even recognised.

I am wondering if during the alternator work, the electric steering loom was affected - other posts here suggest it could be a connector.

Can anybody give some advice?

Where are the connectors? Phots would be a great help.

Thanks

Two basic issues here

1) Basic electrical continuity. The power steering pump uses large amounts of current. Any loose or corroded connections from alternator to battery and back to power steering unit/pump will cause problems.

2) With Fiat ECUScan/MultiECUScan you have to have the correct cables/connections to talk to the various car systems. With the Croma the Power Steering is on a separate system and requires the correct interface cable connections. You need to check that you have the correct connections. See the website for what is required.

I believe I am using the correct adapters, but will check again.

I will have another look at the cables from the alternator.

strange that the CAN module is not seen by the proxy alignment.

how long was the alternator broke? if battery hasn't got a full charge since it can make pas play up

Forget proxy alignment.

Do a Scan to see what modules & ISO codes are reported.

I'm not on my laptop right now to be more specific other than there is a scan function that will report modules/nodes registered.

In addition I am not sure if the scan is affected by "adapter cables". So my initial advice would be to do a scan on KKL and ELM ensuring switches/cables are set/attached to cover all systems & protocols.

The scan of the modules does not show the steering - only the lock one.

The alternator broke last Thursday - 8 days ago, and since then the car has stood with a flat battery. I did charge two batteries in order to get to work on 2 days - charge was enough to last one trip either way.

Going into my local dealers tomorrow! all attempts to reset have failed. No connection to the steering ecu. Does this mean a new column?

Justhb said:

Going into my local dealers tomorrow! all attempts to reset have failed. No connection to the steering ecu. Does this mean a new column?

Click to expand...

are you using the yellow adapter? your motor isn't on the column

have you put battery on an over night charge?

Ok . I remember the previous owner saying he had problems with the connector being corroded. where is it?

Went to the dealer and they too could not locate the ECU for the steering - either as a CAN Node or on Proxy Alignment. There is power to the steering circuit fuse and the alternator is a 140A new unit.

Does this mean that the ECU is faulty?

Where is the ECU? Is it easy to get at/remove?
Any ideas as to cost of a replacement?

Thanks for any help.

Justhb said:

Ok . I remember the previous owner saying he had problems with the connector being corroded. where is it?

Click to expand...

probably the thick red cable where it plugs into the motor, new cable is £40 ish

Justhb said:

Went to the dealer and they too could not locate the ECU for the steering - either as a CAN Node or on Proxy Alignment. There is power to the steering circuit fuse and the alternator is a 140A new unit.

Does this mean that the ECU is faulty?

Where is the ECU? Is it easy to get at/remove?
Any ideas as to cost of a replacement?

Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

ecu is built into the motor, the motor is under the pas fluid tank, user manual should show where that is and then you can find the rest

Thanks Dave,

The thick red cable - where do I access it from? Underneath the car? The dealer and Auto electrician seem divided as to what or where the electrics are for this?

Is the PAS fluid bottle the strange white thing in the engine bay behind the alternator?

Cheers - sorry if I sound a Muppet - just desperate to solve the problem.

J

yes the white bottle, remove right wheel and have car up on axle stands to reach motor plugs, the new red cable loom comes with its own protective cover and just cable ties to the outside of original loom, it goes from motor to battery

Thanks - will have a look later.

Cheers

Typical - after suffering no power steering since last week, I took time off work today and jacked the car up and quickly noticed an unplugged steering rack power connection. The guy fitting the alternator obviously inadvertently unplugged it!
At least after much cursing and manging to get the plug back in, power steering was back to normal.