Technical 100hp intermittent power steering fault?

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Technical 100hp intermittent power steering fault?

dac69er

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We had the fault come on once about a year or so ago. The power steering worked fine, just had the fault light come on and the message on the dash. Never came back so didn't worry too much.
I assumed it was just the old battery.

Since then, the battery was getting weak so we fitted a new one about 6 months ago.

No issues since until recently when intermittently when going round roundabouts, the fault will come back.
Sometimes it will come on twice in a day, sometimes nothing for a month. Again, the power steering continues to work perfectly fine.

Any ideas on what to check or is the only fix going to be a new power steering unit?
 
Any ideas on what to check or is the only fix going to be a new power steering unit?

I don't think you've quite reached that stage yet.

Our Panda occasionally does this; perhaps 3/4 times a year. Strangely, it sometimes does it after a long run, when the battery is well charged. Sometimes, but not always, the light comes on but the steering still works normally; other times, the assistance cuts out.

Normally the fault clears immediately if I just turn off and restart.

A few weeks ago, it became more persistent, and the light came back on within seconds of restarting, although the power assistance was still there. Now this is where it gets weirder; I tried turning on city mode, just to see how the power assistance would respond, and the steering lightened exactly as you'd expect. The light stayed on, but as soon as I restarted, it went out and the car's worked perfectly since. Coincidence? who knows - but next time it happens, try briefly putting it into city mode.
 
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sounds like the sensor connector needs reseating


also worth driving onto some loose ground like gravel. Raises the revs to around 2K. Turn the steering a few times lock to lock.
 
The 100HP steering operates in high power mode by default. The Sport button puts it to low power. As Varese says, try switching it a few times
 
The 100HP steering operates in high power mode by default. The Sport button puts it to low power. As Varese says, try switching it a few times

will give that a try and see if that makes any difference. we mostly use the car in non-sport mode for the mild economy benefit.
 
Power steering completely failed this evening!!!

Perfect weather for repairing it, freezing, dark and snowing :(
 
Power steering completely failed this evening!!!

Perfect weather for repairing it, freezing, dark and snowing :(

I know you’ve said you’ve fitted a new battery, but with it being even colder check it’s still holding full charge just in case it’s not fully charged etc. Has the car been sitting a little while :confused:
 
It's not been used for a week.

Starts and runs no problem though.

I'm going to have a look at the plug connections etc tomorrow. Odd as it was fine to start with, it was when I got back from going out that it failed???
 
It's not been used for a week.

Starts and runs no problem though.

I'm going to have a look at the plug connections etc tomorrow. Odd as it was fine to start with, it was when I got back from going out that it failed???

If it's been sitting then I'd say the battery. Nothing a charge shouldn't sort given the battery age. Has the fault gone, or is it now constant?
 
We had problems like this when the alternator was failing. It was charging (so no warning lights). A voltmeter connected while the car was in use showed the system voltage going low on engine start and taking a long time to recover. Eventually it was unable to give a full 14.2 volts (max float) under any load. Changed the alternator and the steering has been fine ever since. 2 weeks after I removed it, the rotor had seized solid so I got it just in time.

I suggest getting the alternator load tested and go from there. You can do it with a voltmeter but an auto electrician can do a more comprehensive test.

New around £90. Used - £25 to £40.
 
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Alternator was replaced not long after getting the car as it had a voltage regulator issue.

Battery and alternator are good. I checked voltage at the power steering connector and it read 14v just after starting which is as expected.

I tried adding a power pack just for some extra oomph and still no difference. Tried disconnecting the battery for a bit to reset everything, still no difference.

The unit is now out of the car as it has clearly failed in one way or another.

Anyone had a repair done before and can recommend anywhere?
 
If it's been sitting then I'd say the battery. Nothing a charge shouldn't sort given the battery age. Has the fault gone, or is it now constant?

It is constant as soon as I turn the wheel. It has been slowly getting worse recently.

It's hard work driving with no power steering, but I'm used to my cinq, so it's not too bad.
 
As the battery and alternator seem to be proved OK, check all power connections. The steering motor pulls al lot of power, so anything that looks over-heated will be suspect.

These people get good reviews. http://www.westernpowersteering.co.uk
Make sure they know it's from a 100HP. I doubt there is any difference to columns used on other models but you never know.

Alternatively send it away for repair rather than taking a service exchange.
 
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I had to call it. I tried everything I could and it all looks spot on.
It's my girlfriend's car, we can get by short term by just using my cinq, but it needs sorting. I could faff about all day, but I wasn't getting anywhere. It's done nearly 150k miles, so it's not done too bad in all honesty.

If it isn't actually the column, then I really will be at a loss!!!!
 
two car

swap the batteries over would be my first move

we just had someone who's new battery started to fail just after 1 year. Even though the volts measured okay and starts okay.

take a look at the long, long long thread round and round in circles it went

its been proved many, many time a volt measurement and battery tests are inconclusive. Take a look at the other thread. I have posted all the car I have failed not one has a volt measurement helped.


Not saying it is in this case. But any measurements should be taken with a pinch of salt. Only one
has been in all the years I have been on this forum. In fact the only one that has been an alternator which generally in the panda have been reliable. Having already changed yours you would have to be very unlucky but not impossible.

I wasn't going to post on this thread after so many years on this forum you must have seen many steering threads come and go. Especially around winter.

if you scan the torque sensor as it bounces of full lock is about the only way to prove the sensor as far as I know. Its rare for them to go. Normally only a recalibration would be needed. However if you change the column it will come calibrated.


A lot of rubbish is written in these threads but after


numerous batteries 3x Panda 1x Vauxhall 1x Merc might be more
one loose belt 1x Panda
on recalibration 1x Panda

I now don't even bother test the battery. Having two cars I just swap them temporarily
 
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The battery the car came with failed about 6 months after purchase. I had no issues with the steering.
I fitted a second had battery I had laying around, that lasted a good 3 years+ but was getting a bit weak and we had a few power steering faults flicker on now and then.

Now on its third battery which is relatively new.
I'm wondering if having a tip top battery just buys you time before the power steering fails anyway?

I have a big old battery for my mazda rx8, so I can give that a try and see what happens, if I can fit it in the battery tray!
 
batteries degrade quick if left discharged


I expect a lot more threads with people working from home, lockdown not using there car so much


the original size battery must have be marginal as Fiat keeps upping the amps and cold cranking but the cars have no extra electrical equipment.

the largest capacity is for car equipped with stop start. This is the size I would use if only used for short journeys and I was keeping the car.


I buy a larger size ones second hand ones with warranty and get about 2 years out of them cost me £15 plus £5 back for the scrap lead on the old one


Had one fail with dead cells. Resting voltage was 11.8V or something around that. Didn't throw any steering errors at all but wouldn't idle correctly. But still 14.4V once started


I don't fully understand the battery and earth issues on the Panda. I have never had to go too much into it. Substitution is by far the easiest way.


the earth for the power steering passenger compartment floor and located near wheel arch (footwell).
. Not the one on top of the gearbox


i have a cigarette voltmeter as well as a nice quick fluke meter I use for my job. I haven't seen a drop at the cigarette lighter, or battery terminals


I have had the system get in a knot and would switch off the power assistance on every sharp turn. Even parked up if you started to turn the steering it would cut out. I found if I raised the revs it didn't cut out. A few lock to lock and it never failed again and lasted about a year until the car was scrapped.
 
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even

multiecuscan is confusing

power error will be a supply problem


where as a torque sensor error could be a power supply problem as well as the sensor itself

unless someone has more time or has insider knowledge of the delphi circuit and software then I guess we will be paddling upstream without a paddle

most likely its sensing a voltage drop

I have bought some of the cars cheap because faults were already present. Knowing if needed I could change the sensor. As of yet none have had to have major work.
 
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