Hi.
I have an intermittent problem with my 2011 punto power steering. It has recently started cutting out completely (whilst driving) with the warning light showing on the dashboard, it will come back on if you switch the ignition off and on again but not every time.
I'm thinking it could be the power steering column beginning to fail after reading other comments, just wondering if any one has expireanced this and found a solution or a different reason. Many thanks Howard

Hi Howard

This system has been around since @1999

In the 20 years it has become apparent quite how 'needy' it is..

It needs LOTS of electrical power..

So a Great charging system.. plus good cables and earths

Does your punto have stop-start ?

Working S-S would be a sign of a healthy Charging system

If the car is in regular use..
and doesnt just have this error show at low revs.. then get the Steering error codes read

They should pinpoint where the Control unit 'thinks' the error lies

In my time Ive had 20odd FIATs with this system.. only ones to play up had
Failing batteries.. or a dodgy alternator

So throwing £400 at a new assistance unit should be treated as a last resort

Charlie

Hi Charlie.

Yes it has stop start which works fine. I will check and clean the ground connections tomorrow.

I'll also check the charging system and battery too.

It isn't showing any error codes on the reader I've got, but it is just a basic OBD one.

Will I need to take it to a garage to get the steering codes read?

Many thanks Charlie for your help and quick response.

I will post the solution if it's just the battery

Howard

Hi Howard

Look at the top of Forum for the MultiECUScan members list

That software will be correct for getting any info from the PAS controller

Charlie

Ok update. 7/11/2020

Just to confirm, the power steering problem hasn't reoccurred since the first time it happened. So checking these things as a precaution

I've now discovered the car has had a new Alternator fitted quite recently ( Only bought the car in June 2020). Possibly to try and rectify this problem, but only guessing.

Looks like the battery is the original so could be time to replace it.

Ignition off, Normal Battery voltage 12.38v.

Ignition on, voltage drops to 12.10v.

Charging voltage, no load, is 14.48v

Charging voltage under load, is 13.52v.

Cleaned all ground connections that were accessible

From these readings I would say things are normal but if anyone can see any issues please let me know.

The car has had a cheap tracker fitted to the battery for insurance, I've found in the past these trackers can drain a new battery in as little as a week, if not used regularly.
This could also be a reason for low battery voltage if the car isn't used for a few days or short runs.

First thing to replace if the problem reoccures is the battery.

I will update if so.

Update 24th Feb 2021.
The problem has not reoccurred since the first few times it happened, so looks like it was just low power. Not changed anything just charged the battery at the time of fault and the car is now in regular use.

Hello!

I have just signed up to the forums as I am experiencing a similar, although not identical problem. I have the battery light come on in my Punto on startup approximately once a week. It always seems to happen once the car is warm, then is switched off, and restarted soon after whilst still warm. I haven't had it happen yet from a cold start.

I have no issues with power whilst driving so I assume the alternator is okay and during the whole of winter I have had no issues starting from cold. It seems to me like the issue is in play when the battery is warm.

It's not a huge issue at the moment as toggling the ignition off/on again seems to resolve it. But I'm hoping it doesn't develop into something worse. Any ideas?

Hi

Get a plug in volt meter..

You will soon see if the alternator is charging

12volts vs 14 volts

Hi folks, I am also having similar power steering problems. The first time was pre-pandemic when car was in daily use.
Since lockdown has happened a few times. Turning engine on and off does help.
Battery newly fitted early 2021, alternator fitted 2 years ago.
Stop/start works fine since new battery fitted.
Any suggestions please.
It’s a 2012 fiat punto.