Hi Everyone

My mk2 Fiat Punto 1.9JTD started playing up in the last few day's.

Problem With: Power Steering

Fault: Stopped working

Warning Lights: Red Power Steering Light


So Far: At first the power steering came back after shutting down the engine and re-starting, now this doesn't cure the problem.


I don't deem it as huge major as i'm use to car's without power steering, it's just the mrs is finding it a dog to drive


Any help would be appreciated.

Regards
Mo

Hi, Mo
Fiat puntos power steering is different from others it dont use any oil. it is just a motor powered by the battery connected to the steering.

Check ur alternator chain's tension if it is loose it may effect the battery's voltage. Once i had the same proplem myself but it was due to a flat battery. it is is not the batttreys fault you just have to change the power steering motor.

Hope it helps
Xipli

Xipli said:

Hi, Mo
Fiat puntos power steering is different from others it dont use any oil. it is just a motor powered by the battery connected to the steering.

Check ur alternator chain's tension if it is loose it may effect the battery's voltage. Once i had the same proplem myself but it was due to a flat battery. it is is not the batttreys fault you just have to change the power steering motor.

Hope it helps
Xipli

Click to expand...

They dont use a chain driven alternator - its a belt

Also You'll need to get the battery stress tested - Voltage ISN't enough

Sure if the battery when its been charged / Had a good run in car only holds like 11v then yes battery is most-likely dead


Other thing to conside is - Moisture in the Motor / ecu
Take time gently heating the ECU and the Motor for a good while

Moisture on the Motor can cause it short = Fault light

ziggy

Punto Mk2+ and many other cars of today use electric (assisted) power steering. Its effective but must have a good battery. To be sure the motor is dry, use an electronic anti-moisture spray. Personally, I would avoid heat, even with a hair dryer, as it takes ages to do anything useful and its all too easy to melt plastic like wiring insulation.

The Bosch electronic battery testers (used by Halfords etc) are ok for the alternator, but they wont give a reliable figure for the battery capacity. Always start the car and test again. If the charge %age has fallen significantly its a duff battery. The best tool for battery capacity is a drop tester with a heavy resistor pack.

Thanks for all the information

Is there any guides for changing the electric power steering part(s) ?

Where to being?

Fist of all do the low costs things - get the battery and alternator tested. If the battery is weak it might cure the fault.

However service exchange steering columns are about £180 from BBA-Reman.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-PUNTO-66...arParts_SM&hash=item27b6ca55c0#ht_2434wt_1135

There is a guide which covers fitting a brand new steering column. It's said to be less complex with a remanufactured unit. You'll need to ask BBA about that

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Sorry, now I can post links.

Had a similar problem, W-reg 1.9 JTD punto. Followed these instructions: https://www.fiatforum.com/punto/254942-dreaded-power-steering-question.html?p=2632962

found I had a cracked solder joint on the circuit board, fixed it.

now my power steering works. Worth a try, as it takes less than an hour (two, max. if you're new to stuff), plus some solder, soldering iron and torx bits, hopefully you have sockets/allens/screwdriver already. A whole new steering colun is minimum 180 quid for reconditioned unit and looks a tad harder to replace. This problem may explain why heat/moisture affects it - water in the right/wrong place may help/hinder the cracked solder joint contact.

you can find some pics here
http://electronicdash.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/the-punto-project-post-1/
, if you have trouble following instructions on the other post.

Forgetful x

Nice one mate!

I'm a good'un with a soldering iron being an I.T nerd and all, i'll give that a crack.

Thanks

UPDATE guys

I carried out the fix above, removed the motor, de-soldered and re-soldered the joints, put the motor back in and it started to work for about 30 seconds!

However......... I sprayed the crap out of the wires surrounding the connections and it seems to be working ?!

I've been told by a mechanic that there is a sensor above the steering coloumn? which senses how much the motor should be applied, sometime this sensor does not operate correctly, I cannot find this sensor, how do I remove the top steering wheel column cover? and how do I get to this sensor?

Any advise??????????????

iirc, you cannot buy stand-alone torque sensors. :-( you need a whole new column. 180 quid for a reconditioned one.

Torque Sensors aint availible to the public Nor even Fiat IIRC

new Coloumn time if the fault code says its torque sensors

Ziggy