The BBC WATCHDOG THREAD

Currently reading:
The BBC WATCHDOG THREAD

Bit of an old thread, but thought i'd put my two cents in!

My 2001 1.2 16v sporting (which is about to retire to a new home and make way for a Grande) has only ever had the steering motor go once - and that was purely my fault for having the 'city' button on 24/7 (oh, the excitement of 'city' button after driving a seicento for however many years! Let's just say I went a little OTT). After replacing that motor, and obviously getting myself over the excitement of the 'city' button, I have never had another problem with it in the last 4 years.

Apart from tight maneuvers, I don't see how anyone can drive about with City on, feels like driving on ice! If I remember correctly it turns off at 19mph or something
 
They don't have to be! The steering is light enough as it is without city

No it isn't, if it were City wouldn't exist, may be light enough for you, but doesn't mean it is for everyone else.

I personally leave it on in City centers out of ease, and in central London.
 
Its turned out to be the alternator guys but I think the point the mechanic was making was to not leave the CITY button on all the time. Im not sure if thats true either seeing as i managed to diagnose the fault after speaking to people on here. He was talking about repairing the steering !
 
Its turned out to be the alternator guys but I think the point the mechanic was making was to not leave the CITY button on all the time.

As already mentioned this won't make a difference, so you can ignore your mechanic on that bit of advise (y)

Glad you've managed to sort the issue though :)
 
Steering went heavy all of a sudden today when turning, flashed up on dash check power steering, fortunately didn't crash, switched off ignition and restarted it, now work's fine....... Tryed viewing the watchdog video but doesn't Exist anymore, was there any fix to this problem?
 
Steering went heavy all of a sudden today when turning, flashed up on dash check power steering, fortunately didn't crash, switched off ignition and restarted it, now work's fine....... Tryed viewing the watchdog video but doesn't Exist anymore, was there any fix to this problem?

Normally a failing battery. How old is the battery :confused:
 
No I didn't charge it before fitting it........right now I'm only doing short journeys back and forth to work, do you think that's the problem and may need a good run?

It could be the problem, although the steering units can fail, a lot of the time its due to poor battery health, possibly due to slightly lower than normal voltage. If you've a battery charger, popping it on charge over night could help rule it out (and is a lot cheaper than having to change the EPS unit) (y)
 
Is it a re-occurring problem? e.g my 06 GP is in the garage at the moment having EPS column changed due to losing power steering all the time. How likely is it that, it will need replacing again?
 
Thanks guy's
biggrin.gif
 
Just had to pay £200 to replace faulty power steering column
Fiat Punto 2002 Mk2
Did FIAT ever get back to Watchdog about this?? :eek:
 
Just had to pay £200 to replace faulty power steering column
Fiat Punto 2002 Mk2 Did FIAT ever reply to WATCHDOG BBC about this?
 
Back
Top