Hello, my brothers girlfriend fiat punto has been having electrical problems.

About 2 weeks ago it had problems starting and someone told her that it needed a new starter motor and they changed it. Then after it was changed the power steering did not work and the car was not charging the battery up when driving. Then the car broke down and the aa told them that the alternator was at fault.

So today we changed the alternator and as soon as we started the car all ignition lights went back to normal and power steering was now working, but there was a grinding/rattling noise coming from around the starter motor, like the starter motor was still engaged. This sound lasted about 30 seconds then stopped and as soon as it stopped the battery light came back on, power steering stopped working again and it was no longer charging the battery.We think that somehow the alternator has been broke by the starter motor.

We brought another alternator and the same thing happened. As soon as the noise stops the alternator is broke, but the car still runs off the battery and does start without any strange noises but as soon as a good alternator is fitted the noise starts again.

Could the person that fitted the starter motor have put a wire back wrong which is shorting the alternator ?

I havent got any pictures of where the wires from the alternator goes to the starter motor, has any body got any pictures or as anybody got any other ideas what could be causing this problem.

The car is a x reg, 2000/2001, Punto 1.2 8valve

Thank you

well the main positive lead runs from battery down to starter and from there takes a short leap to the alternator

it's a very weird thing that's happening to your car not much can be done changing a starter to cause that as a garage has caused the problem they are legally obliged to sort it out for you free of charge so i would pursue them on that but put the car back as it was when you received it or they may try tell you that you have caused it and it's not there fault and so on

i'm thinking they might have fitted an incorect part like uno seicento starter motor or something similar could cause problem

my mk1 punto had a uno starter motor fitted and some bodged wiring not impressed