Technical power steering - error for motor phases

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Technical power steering - error for motor phases

worrybucket

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Hello,
I took my Punto to a Fiat garage and paid for it to be tested as the power steering has stopped working. I had been told by a friend that I need to get an error code to find out what needs to be done to mend it. I specifically told them that I wanted the test done that would give me an error code. What I got back from Fiat was

"carried out examiner tests and found error in system for motor phases. Requires further investigation into wiring and report on findings."

They now want to charge me a further £100 to tell me if it is a loose wire or a broken motor.

Why would they not be able to give me a code? Have they not done what I asked them to do?

Any advice for what to do next would be great. Money is tight so £100 for them to take another look is not high on my list of option.

Thank you.
 
So what happens when EPS stops working? Does light come on the dash?

How old is the battery? I'd look at replacing if it a cheap battery / more than 3-4 years old as a dieting battery will start to cause faults which don't exist to start with electrical parts, especially the EPS unit.

Lost of information about it on here :)
 
Hi, thank you for replying. The error light is permanently on now. We have a new battery and it made no difference.

What I don't understand is how Fiat charge for a test which should produce an error code then don't give me an error code and ask for another £100.
 
Hi, thank you for replying. The error light is permanently on now. We have a new battery and it made no difference.

What I don't understand is how Fiat charge for a test which should produce an error code then don't give me an error code and ask for another £100.

because they can get away with it and frighten you

if its any consolation my power steering packed in this morning but it is very cold so alternator was working hard mine packed up due to the fact i put it on full lock reversed and went over a hump ,it put the light permanently on and it was 3 attempts at restarting before i cleared it for now

you dont say what year age model your vehicle is so we would need to know that before advising next course of cheapest option
keep away from the fiat dealer they call themselves tecs but basically they mostly know jack and really arent interested in keeping older fiats on the road they just want warranty work and new blood car sales
think about it saying broken wires what kind of proper place would come out with garbage like that
 
Hi, it is an X reg. The power steering has gone several times before and replacing the battery or just patience (sometimes weeks) has got it back. This time it seems permanent.
 
the error code can then be looked up on a chart to tell you what the issue is in this case the Examiner cuts out the middle man of the error code and produces the description of the problem in this case all the error code will tell you is....."error in system for motor phases."

tends to imply one of the phases isn't working correctly on the motor which could be a broken wire could be a burnt out inductor in the motor but if its a mk2 1999 - 2003 period car then I would suggest it could well be the relays built into the motor.

you can pay them £100 to investigate or you could just whack another motor in for about £40
 
the error code can then be looked up on a chart to tell you what the issue is in this case the Examiner cuts out the middle man of the error code and produces the description of the problem in this case all the error code will tell you is....."error in system for motor phases."

tends to imply one of the phases isn't working correctly on the motor which could be a broken wire could be a burnt out inductor in the motor but if its a mk2 1999 - 2003 period car then I would suggest it could well be the relays built into the motor.

you can pay them £100 to investigate or you could just whack another motor in for about £40
Thank you AndyRKett! I am going to try a replacement motor. Huge weight off my mind and possibly my steering!
 
keep away from the fiat dealer they call themselves tecs but basically they mostly know jack and really arent interested in keeping older fiats on the road

I disagree with that. Whilst I agree that due to the value of most Punto's now, and the availability of information/guides regarding EPAS failures on this forum, it makes little sense to go to a Fiat dealer for this specific fault, the fact is they have done what the customer has requested.

Im assuming the op has read that description from your invoice? The tech is limited as to how much he can put on there, he cant put a full reply like we can on here as to what it could mean and what to check etc. You would be better off asking the service dept if you can have a chat with the tech in question. Most of them wont bite (y)

However in this case, it sounds like Andy has it spot on to me! Or for not much money you could invest in Multi-ECU scan and the correct cable and read the fault code (which probably wont tell you much more than you already know) but will earn its money back if you only use it a couple of times.

Alan
 
Thank you all for taking the time to reply to me. Andy, I have shown the link to my husband and he thinks he'll be able to do this. Fingers crossed I'll be able to park in less than 10 manoeuvres again soon!

What a great Forum.
 
Whilst there are some good points in the replies after mine its has been missed except by most except a1ant that a code would be preferable to banging second hand parts on in the hope this works, so i guess i need to explain a little deeper.
I scrapped a punto this week ,it came to me as a P/X with faulty electric steering,i ripped its heart out for future devilish transplants and a few more useable entrails too, then sent the hulk including faulty motor to the great orlando himself and his gasping heaving fire monster.
Why do i say this?
Because the OP might easily buy this faulty part in the vain hope that it will work on the elixior of their x reg.
Fault codes are stored for a reason /as a guide /and should not be ignored because the main dealer doesnt want to share them.
So my advice as always is go to a repair place that can advise/ read fault codes and not treat you as a mumbo jumbo imbecile whether its a gleaming gin palace or a cave in a hill and let them explain ALL the options open to you the customer
Buying parts and playing darts is never a good option .

so fault code read it is and report back unless you want to spend €40 and cross your fingers
 
If you've paid the Mainstealers any money for them to look at it they shouid
give you the codes in theory.

they don't work like that tho they want to empty your wallet.

last car itook into fiat was a Marea 2.0 20v jobbie. they wanted to bench the engine to change cambelt.. 1200 quid for the privalidge alteast dick turpin had the decency to wear a mask :(
 
Hi,

To the op, all I can see that your fiat tech has done "wrong" here is leave C1008 off the beginning of your fault description.

Hopefully you now have all the information you require.

Alan
 
of course even multiscan can show the amps pulled on lock to lock so if no amps pulled its not rocket science to look for faulty ecu or motor faults
ive yet to see a broken wire though
maybe tec at this fiat dealer is on bonus? and not allowed to put fault codes down in case horror on horror the customer might go on the world wide web for a cheaper option
 
Hi,

Thing is, op stated the following.....

I specifically told them that I wanted the test done that would give me an error code. What I got back from Fiat was

"carried out examiner tests and found error in system for motor phases. Requires further investigation into wiring and report on findings."

If the tech had written...

carried out examiner tests and found error C1008 in system for motor phases. Requires further investigation into wiring and report on findings.

What is technically wrong in that? You shouldn't just fit a new motor without checking continuity of supply wiring etc. Would require the cowling to be removed etc. Now chances are me and you both know that its 99% it wont be a wiring issue, but technically it should still be checked. Dont forget, if this job was to be done at Fiat, they wouldn't be fitting a £40 motor off a scrapper or ebay (although fair play it might as well be just as good as) and would cost considerably more. Therefore further investigation would be required before committing the customer to the remedial work.

This is where the independent garage has the advantage, you can say "chances are its the motor, I can wack you a second hand one in for £40 + £60 labour, probably will solve it but not guaranteed"

Alan
 
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