As a power steering company that specialises in the Fiat electric steering columns , just thought we would share some of our experience with all Punto owners.
One of the major contributors to early EPS Motor failure on Mk2/3 puntos prior to 2003 is the use of the City button, when you use the City you are putting twice the load on the motor, it was only ever designed to used for short periods of time to help with parking manoeuvers, but as the Punto EPS is light anyway there is no need to use it, so if you want a bit more lfe from your power steering refrain from ever using it.
For help and advice on all power steering matters give us a ring as we are always happy to help.
Western Power Steering

0117-9602906

hi did you find us from my posts on preloved?

Hi Dave

I did see your posts on preloved , but had previously looked at Fiatforum as well.

BTW your post on soldering up the PCB on mk 2/3 was good, but I still don't think that it is a D.I.Y job , when we first started repairing the motors we tried 4 different types/heat range of solder before we were happy that we had one that would last.
Also there is an underlying reason why the solder blows and unless you deal with that which is def. not posible to do as D.I.Y. ,job then the motor will fail again.

Would this apply to my Mk2b 53 plate?? Just wondering as i hardly ever use the city button and if so what is the difference between mine and the early years???

Thanks in advance

Northants said:

Would this apply to my Mk2b 53 plate?? Just wondering as i hardly ever use the city button and if so what is the difference between mine and the early years???

Thanks in advance

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City button makes the Steering much lighter, this is handy when it comes to parking when the steering wheel needs to be turned fast
But if you big and strong - city is too light i find i keep smashing into the full lock
so i dont use it

the mk2b has bigger eyes to start with
but i believe the Steering coloumn is the same, but with the much better
Relay-less motor instead
pre-2003 has a set of relays that are visible inside them

Ziggy

City mode turns its self off at 28mph

dave said:

City mode turns its self off at 28mph

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even at that speed, you cant feel it anyway
when you start moving the steering is light anyway, but weird its 28mph? is that so you cant cruise at 30mph on the dot with it working?

ziggy

i dont know why it does just read it on here from top fiat techs that it does.

i think other systems get stiffer with speed and some by revs

It would be better if the power steering switched off totally at 28mph+ and only provided assistance below these speeds.

Also, is there anyway the power steering can be 'turned down' or adjusted?

To answer a few of those questions, firstly the the Mk3/b from 2003 does use the the later motor that has no relays, so using the city mode on these does not tend to affect the motor, but the load limiting function that the relays controlled on the old motors is taken over by the ECU , so what tends to happen on the 9238/1077 ECU is that the ECU's fail instead, so still not a great idea to use the City mode.

There is no clever way to adjust the assistance level of the Fiat EPS as it is controlled by the software inside the ECU and as of now there is no easy way to alter that, we are working on a sport spec ECU that would give more feel and reduce assistance, but still some way off with that, will keep all informed about that.

www.westernpowersteering.co.uk

Power steering at speed = Robin Reliant roly poly time

Brendan W said:

Power steering at speed = Robin Reliant roly poly time

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thats if you loose a wheel
or drive into a car Pit

ziggy

8 years, 90000miles with city button on...never caused me a problem.

i dont see why a manufactor put the function on - IF they knew or didnt care if it was going to make it fail?

City helped my car with a moisture problem
City can make a motor run few deg wamer, so it can help if a cold car makes the motor collect moisture

Ziggy

personally i think smacking front wheels into kerbs does more harm than driving on the city button
fair enough i only do it on the facelift models as the earlier ones are now getting on a bit but i find its the only way to get any feel from what is a very dead steering feedback car,ones with alloys on are even worse for giving steering feedback to driver but is a small price to pay for what is a good economical car

If you want mega light power steering try a Citroen CX. Its VERY light to use, 100% powered with powered centralisation and the same regardless of road speed.

Customer demands means power steering is fitted plus it's obvious advantage at parking.

Fiat electric steering is non-operational over 28mph.

Electric steering is enviromentally friendly therefore becoming more common and widespread....so get used to it as it's hear to stay! (the more common it gets the cheaper it becomes to repair)