Hi,

When popping out to the shop a number of messages scrolled in the display, starting with EBD failure, then ABS failure, then Power steering failure, then insufficient oil pressure. all accompanied with beeps. I had the headlights on at the time and all lights went off except the radio illumination (even the backlight for the display went off). Managed to wrestle the car home with no power steering.

something similar happened last year when the alternator went, but when this happened the battery light came on 1st. No battery light this time.

Any Ideas of what this may be? Could it be the battery or bad earth?


Also, not sure if related, my drive to work is approx 20 minutes, on the odd occasion the passenger side rear brake starts to squeal approx 10 - 15 mins into the journey. Dabbing the brakes sometimes stops it. Never happens on short journeys. Could they just need stripped down and cleaned?

gazbat106 said:

Hi,

When popping out to the shop a number of messages scrolled in the display, starting with EBD failure, then ABS failure, then Power steering failure, then insufficient oil pressure. all accompanied with beeps. I had the headlights on at the time and all lights went off except the radio illumination (even the backlight for the display went off). Managed to wrestle the car home with no power steering.

something similar happened last year when the alternator went, but when this happened the battery light came on 1st. No battery light this time.

Any Ideas of what this may be? Could it be the battery or bad earth?


Also, not sure if related, my drive to work is approx 20 minutes, on the odd occasion the passenger side rear brake starts to squeal approx 10 - 15 mins into the journey. Dabbing the brakes sometimes stops it. Never happens on short journeys. Could they just need stripped down and cleaned?

Click to expand...

I got all those warnings when the battery was going "ti*s up",its the time of year where we spend a lot of time with the lights on and short journeys and as you have changed the alternator recently its odds on the battery will have been exhausted a few times during starting . A modern battery tends to go down as if its fallen off a cliff and the ECU comes over all mardy to get you to do something about it..
The squeal from the back brakes I have had, but only in winter, I had my rear pads changed at a service and my Ind mechanic kept the old ones to show me . the outer pad on the nearside had a small quartz like piece of grit from the road gritting. It had got embedded in the pad about 1/8" in from the edge and rubbed against the disc. My squealing stopped after a while as the disc and pads warmed up but was like having a pet budgie every time I put the brakes on after setting off .
Of course I thought it was at least a wheel bearing as most drivers would .

Yes would look at the battery first. It seems that most Cromas are around 7 to 9 years old and will still be on the original one. So most are coming to the end of their life.

Thanks guys. Any ideas on what battery should be installed. I've read some of the threads on batteries on the Croma and my battery is 74ah but is a type 96 so would appear not to be the original battery. There are two bolts through the top battery Clamp with tyre dust caps on the end to keep the battery in place and the battery is not a snug fit in the battery compartment.

The spec for the Croma gives two aH ratings . 70aH for ones without alarm!!!??? and 90aH for the ones with alarm.

The best way to go for me is measure the battery tray, and buy the biggest that will fit with the biggest aH rating . Mine was changed for a Varta 96aH which had to be shoe horned in. I was told by the supplier that it was the one specified for the BMW 4x4 and Audi 4x4 so it would take some hammer !!!
It was £100+ but it was worth it for peace of mind as modern day batteries fall off a cliff when they die

problem now sorted. The alternator was kicking out too much voltage, started ok but then putting out 17 volts. The mechanic removed the alternator belt and started the car to check that all the faults disappeared and that the higher voltage hadn't damaged the ecu.

Thats another first as far as I am concerned- to much voltage from an alternator is as rare as hens teeth to me . But as you get older you are surprised by nothing

I think I might also have that problem also.

Had the battery light on for a few days, so got one of the cigarette charger monitors.

Flashes up with overcharging now and again.

Was it an easy fix, gazbat?

I ended up getting the alternator replaced in the end. I had it repaired last year when it failed. On that occasion the battery light came on 1st. The only thing I had to do after picking the car up was reset each of the electric Windows by powering each one down for two seconds then up for two seconds. Not sure which motor factor alternator was from but total cost Inc. Labour ₤210

They're getting cheaper now the cars are getting older. A few years back the cheapest alternator you could buy was around £280 all in.

BTW this is a consumer part on Cromas. Expect to replace it every two to three years depending on mileage.

Guess I'll have to take the plunge then...

I'll get the multimeter out tonight and have a poke.

Though, I know the battery was dead when I first test drove the car, and despite a promise of a new battery from the salesman, it was only re-charged.

My 8v MJet had been through 3 alternators by the time it had done 50k miles but the current one's done 37k so far, touch wood.

Yep mine's on its third, at 66k

All,
Rather than start another thread I'll use this as prob pretty similar......
Msgs and warning lights as per thread title, alternator charging so checked battery and no surprise it's dead, (done 7 years)
Fitted new one this PM, cleared the usual power window safety fault msgs but still have the EBD,ABS,ASR, Pwr Steering unavailable msgs. The Pwr Steering is def not working yet all the warning lights have gone out. A bit lost is there some sort of reset I need to do or is the dreaded ECU on the blink.
Thanks

Some messages need three start ups to clear. Could check the wiring loom to the steering pump( see previous threads) they have a nasty habit of connection corrosion/ burnout.

My fiat punto sporting 2004 has been pluged into computer and it says primary valve faliure and drive valve faliure, i had it pluged in because all the warning lights come on dash like abs faliure, ebd faliure, esp faliure and hill holder faliure, can anyone help me and tell me what all this means as ive taken the car to two different garages and both tell me different things, i would really appreciate any ideas please

Hi folks. I'm pretty sure my alternator had gone the way of the dodo! Had it checked and it's just out of the green but I believe this is enough for the ECU to start shutting down systems like power steering and ABS. The issue I'm having is finding the correct Alternator to buy!!!! The one on the car that is failing has no part numbers on and several are listed. Sorry to high jack this three but could any of you point me in the right direction for this? I have a 1200 8v punto on a 02. I believe the options are a 60A, 65A and 75A. Many many thanks in advance!!!!!!