Hi all

Please forgive me if I am not posting in the correct place. Not used to how to get around the site!

I am looking for some help with a problem I have.

Occasionally I get a whining, screeching noise from my 1.2 Grande Punto on start up. Not all the time, I would say probably one in every 15 starts. After turning the engine on and off a couple of times the noise miraculously disappears. It has made the noise today.

On going out in the car again later today I have noticed the battery light is on. Upon slowing down the power steering failed, making it difficult to turn. I've driven around in it for a bit and the problem seems to come and go, mainly the power steering failing at low speeds.

Could anybody advise what this may be or what I should do? Unfortunately I'm not a technical expert.

Is it alternator related?
I've posted a video to Youtube for reference - link here

Any help would be massively appreciated.
Regards
Richie

All that I can think of at first is that you check your battery, alternator and if there is any water in the fuse box even any corrosion.

Regards

I know that noise. I reckon your alternator is on its last legs. Sounds like it might be a bearing that's gone, that would certainly explain the whining noise. Out of interest does water drain from just below the windshield onto your alternator? Fiat brought out a fix for this in form of a rubber tube which attached to the drain point and directed the water away from the alternator.

The battery wont be charging properly if the the alternator is damaged. At low revs the alternator wont be able to keep up with the drain on the battery and as a precaution the car will start to shut down various systems in order. Usually starts with the battery light coming on, then the power steering fails, followed by the airbag and ECU. Once that happens you should probably pull over.

I got within 50m of my house when this happened to me before the engine cut out. no engine, no assisted braking. A bit scary even at 30MPH. If this does start to happen before you get it fixed turn off power hungry kit in the car. Lights (within reason obviously) air con, fan, stereo, windscreen wipers. It should give you a little longer to get off the road before it ****s itself.

I have replaced the alternator 4 times on my 07 plate Grande!