Technical Problems

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Technical Problems

Punto Mad

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Sep 26, 2004
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Hi,

I wonder if anyone on here can help me with a few faults on my punto.

Basically, its been sat in a garage from the end of August. I went to give it a start tonight and let it heat up etc.

Well the car started and I checked everything over etc. I had the car idling for around 40 - 45mins, gave it plenty time to circulate the oil and fluids etc.

When I revved the car up to reverse out of the garage, I got this whinning sound comming from under the bonnet. I don't know if it was because I was pressing the accelerator but it seemed to disapear when it was pressed (Might just have been covering up the noise though). I think myself it might be one of the belts but am no mechanic.

Another thing I noticed was, the steering felt very very stiff(It seemed to take more effort to turn the wheels than I had noticed previously). All warning lights were off so there was apparentley no power steering failure. I checked my tyres and they all seemed fine. Again does anyone have any ideas on this problem as well.

The cars covered 29,000 miles with full dealer service history. It had its 3rd year service in May so all in order there. Its an 02 plate punto mia.

Any help on these problems would be much appreciated,

Cheers guys! :)
 
Im no car mechanic, but you could be right saying its one of the belts- from alternator maybe? If the steerings heavy it could be the electronic power steering motor, but probably should have lit the warning light........:confused:

Also I dont like letting my car idle from cold. Theyre supposed to warm up under load - when you're driving it sensibly and not ragging it ;) :D
 
Thanks for the reply mate. Much Appreciated.

I have a feeling that its my power steering motor thats threating to go. As I say the warning light is not lit yet, but it did come on when I started the car last december when I also lost power steering. Although it resumed as normal after a restart.

I have a mechanical breakdown extended waranty from my dealer. Do you think the warranty will cover a replacement power steering motor?

Thanks for any reply on this matter.

Cheers! :)
 
Whinning under the bonnet? PAS motor? Where do you think the EPAS motor is? Its inside the car! Right in front of you. The noise could be a cooling fan partially siezed, these make a terrible noise, the noise only happens when the fan cuts in, so it would only happen when hot. Also check the tyre pressures, after sitting for two months the tyres will have lost pressure, this could effect the EPAS system.
 
Hi,

I know the power steering motor is inside the car. I did say further up the thread that the noise was most probably one of the belts.

I have checked the cooling fan and it appears to be ok. I have checked tyre pressures also.

Thats why I think it may be the electric power steering motor. but I'll need to get it to the garage to make sure.

Thats why I asked if an electric power steering motor is likely to be covered by an extended mechanical breakdown warranty that I purchased.

Thanks for the help.

Cheers! :)
 
Depends on the exclusions I am afraid, as there are so many warranties it is difficult to say. One thing you should know is that it would need to be diagnosed by a dealer, as fault codes can still be recorded even if the warning light doesnt come on. Also some components are only available as a complete steering column assembly, for example torque sensors. Good luck.
 
Thanks mate.

It does state some exclusions. Steering components are not mentioned although the company does state in the book that this isn't a complete list of excluded items.

I'll need to get it into the dealer A.S.A.P as I'll need the problem fixed before I sell the thing (Always happens as your ready to sell them don't they).

Thanks again for the help mate, much appreciated.

Cheers! :)
 
One trick with warranty companies is to ask in advance if a fault would be covered, if its not then change the description slightly. For example, Is my EPAS system covered, NO, are electric motors covered? YES. Is a idle actuator covered? NO. Is a stepper motor covered? YES. Many components have different names from manufacturer to manufacturer, and alot of warranty people are not technical, they read from a list of exclusions, if the component isnt on the list then its covered, so the trick is to make sure you dont call the component by the name on the list. If you get someone technical you are b.....ed though.
 
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