Technical Fiat grande punto 2008 1.4 Battery / alternator / Power steering problem

[Stace777]

Hiya I often have a problem with power steering when first starting my car but when I turn the key off and back on again power steering always comes on second time round.

Anyway today I just came off the motorway and onto a 30mph road, music blasting when my power steering went while driving. I carried on and my abs light came on. Pulled over. Switched ignition off and tried to start car again, wouldn't start. Waited a few minutes, tried again car started, no power steering though. Got it home. Tried to start it again wouldn't start at all, I jump started it and car started with no power steering. Switched ignition off and car wouldn't start.

Anyone encountered anything similar and what was the problem?

Thanks. Stacey.

 

[GrandePunto PL]

No, you are the first one ever. Or it's a very rare, special-snowflake case. There's no hope. Look for a new car.


Lame jokes aside. This is very common (standard) problem. Electrical stuff. Cables ("earthing points"), connections, fuse box rotten, alternator soaked in water (or cracked), therefore battery went bad, etc.
SEARCH the forum (Forums and Guides section). Multiple threads (with solutions) are there.

PS
Mine did almost the same things last winter, but I didn't asked (because there was no need - answers are there).

 

[nikrox]

Welcome to the forum.
Feel free to ask any questions you want or need to.
This forum,like many others, has various sections,guides and answers to just about any questions you can ask.
There are common faults to these cars,hence the guides,and even when you've looked at the guides,the responses to questions following the guides often example how we problem solve issues.Were not all the same and learn differently.
Take some time using the search function...its your new best friend..

 

[Bernievarian]

Ground ground ground ...

 

[Stace777]

Thanks for the replies I guess... I have searched the forums and the Internet but wanted an answer more specific to my exact problem to figure out if the problem is more likely with the battery or the alternator

 

[kjeldio]

Alternator alternator alternator ...

 

[Stace777]

Why is it so echoey

 

[Stace777]

OK so someone I know has an old battery tester he tested the battery and the reading said Bad. Does this rule out the alternator being the problem?

 

[Stace777]

8v reading

 

[nikrox]

Take the car to Halfords for a free battery/alternator test...you could also ask if the alternator belt is loose,or ask your mate.

 

[Stace777]

I would if I could start it lol

 

[nikrox]

Does it not jump start?..

 

[Stace777]

Yes but struggling to find a good samaritan atm

 

[Bernievarian]

8v reading

Seems like it has been tested with a true battery tester, which compared to a volt/multi-meter DO drain a lot of current off the battery through a huge resistor. 8V reading clearly shows that the battery cannot afford that amount of current delivery, so is probably dead. We need more info...

- voltage at battery WITHOUT load, engine stopped: should be 12,6V (fully charged)
- voltage at battery WITH load (tester): shouldn't drop more than 2Vish (depend on battery capacity)
- voltage at battery with engine running @ 2000rpm: 14Vish

If those 3 are ok, your system is fine UP TO THE BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, so the issue is either in the cables or the connecting lugs (ground ground ground...).
The battery can still be good but the alternator (or a cable) gone bad; in this case you wouldn't read 14Vish with lights and rear defrost ON (this is to pull current off the alternator to check for resistive connection):
- With everithing OFF but the engine, little current is going from alternator to car, so there is limited voltage drop and you MIGHT read 14Vish at the battery terminals.
- With lights and defrost ON the current delivered by alternator will be higher, so will be the voltage drop in the resistive connection and the reading will be lower, even not enough to recharge the battery ...

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

 

[Stace777]

It read 8v and 'bad' when the engine wasn't running

 

[Bernievarian]

It read 8v and 'bad' when the engine wasn't running

That only shows the battery cannot deliver high current without droping below the "bad" level voltage. Either because it's actualy bad OR because it wasn't fully charged.

You need to perform the other measurements before ruling out anything !

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

It read 8v and 'bad' when the engine wasn't running

Unfortunately Stace, this doesn't prove much beyond the fact that the battery reads 8 volts when tested with a voltmeter. Bernie's procedure, as he's posted above, should give you a more definite result upon which you can then decide a way forward (ie as to whether it is the battery or alternator or poor - high resistance - connection somewhere or maybe something more obscure)

 

[oldmanhouse]

Do you have breakdown cover? They can often come to you and test your battery/alternator if you are stuck on your driveway. But if you can get a jump start, then as suggested, head to your nearest Halfords / F1 Autocentre / Kwikfit, who all offer free battery testing. Your local car parts supplier or garage might offer the same too.

I was having trouble starting, I swapped the battery and it didn't help and it turned out to be a bad connection (very worn earth cable). So it's worth getting a full diagnosis before spending any money and swapping parts unnecessarily. If you have some tools, you can check your earth points yourself: https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/169204-grande-punto-engine-bay-earthing-points.html

P.S. You can take the battery out of the car and take it to Halfords if you can't get there with the car. But the downside is then they can't check your alternator

 

[nikrox]

Whereabouts in the UK ARE YOU?..MAYBE SOMEONE FROM THE FORUM IS CLOSE..AND MAYBE WILLING TO HELP OUT?...

 

[Rado77]

I just came off the motorway and onto a 30mph road, music blasting when my power steering went while driving.

Looks like alternator issue, because after driving on highway battery had 8V. So it looks to me that alternator wasnt charging and car runs only from battery power and drained it to 8V. BUT - How old is that battery please? If it's less than 4 years old, it also points more to alternator. But if it's 5+ years old, battery can be dead itself and is unable to charge itself (and they altermator is 99% OK).

And power steering & ABS - they are sensitive to correct voltage, so don't worry about it at this time ;-)