Technical CITY MODE no longer working.

[Lifeforms]

My Elderly fathers Pandas city mode no longer works. He only got the car 3 months ago.

It recently had a timing belt change, service and new exhaust and rear shocks at 55,000 miles and 7 years of age from a competent and reputable mechanic who specialises in cam belt changed even for rare, older vehicles. City mode was working fine until today, 5 days after the cam belt work.

Can anybody shed any light on why the city mode has stopped working today all of a sudden ? No power steering warning light is showing or any other warning light...

... I will drive the car tomorrow myself to see if it is just a dash light or if the system has failed. I do feel sorry for my dad as he has no luck with cars whatsoever. This had a full main dealer service history and is immaculate in and out. I’m a bit gutted for him to be honest. He’s never had anything nice that hasn’t broken down, almost as if he’s cursed and he has always gone out of his way to help others. Oh well.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

So, works completely normally except there's no city driving mode?

The usual first port of call with power steering faults on our pandas is the battery. You need to hook up a voltmeter to the battery and see what it's doing as the steering is actuated. My guess would be that there is a bigger demand on the battery in city mode and if the battery is just starting to degrade it may not have enough oomph when in city mode. At a rough guess I wouldn't want to see it drop below about 11 volts when the steering is pulling current but more would be good.

If battery voltage is good then next most common culprit would be earth connections and battery terminal connectors. There is an earth lead which "hides" under the battery tray which can look quite good at first glance but can be internally corroded - give it a good "wiggle" as well as cleaning up the mounting points.

If that doesn't turn up anything obvious you may have an actual problem with the column and/or motor and/or angular sensor. If it turns out to be the column itself there are specialists who can sort and upgrade your existing column for less than a new Fiat one will cost, you will then be able to simply reinstall it when it's returned without the need for electronic intervention to re-code it to the vehicle as will be needed with a completely new item and they will likely give you a lifetime guarantee on the repaired column.

I think I've got most of it with that but there are others on here more knowledgeable than I who might like to chime in here? If another Forum member with Multiecuscan were to live near you they might be prepared to scan the ECU for you and see if any fault codes are lodged which would give a better idea of what is wrong. Would you be happy to tell us, just approximately - no precise address - where you are?

Whatever happens I wish you good luck and an hope you find an inexpensive solution.
Jock

 

[Lifeforms]

Thankyou so much for this reply. I’ll endeavour to look at all this tomorrow and hopefully the simpler solutions might take us somewhere. If not, we’ll explore the route of the reconditioned steering unit as you suggest. Its pretty good that they have a lifetime guarantee of this is indeed the case.

We live in the Wakefield area of West Yorkshire, Pontefract to be precise.

Thankyou for your help. Gives me a little hope.

 

[09 johno]

I honestly didn't think anyone used the city mode as the steering is so light anyway.
Of course it could be the actual push button at fault....

 

[DaveMcT]

I used to have a Citroen BX (ultra light steering and brakes) so rather like City Mode.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I honestly didn't think anyone used the city mode as the steering is so light anyway.
Of course it could be the actual push button at fault....

Could simply be a failed button? Oh yes! you see there I go again, looking for the most expensive and potentially costly solutions! I'm afraid there's just no hope for me.

I remember reading somewhere, quite probably in this forum, that it's advisable not to use the city button as it places extra stress on the motor and can shorten it's life. As you say johno, the steering is quite light enough. Which was one of the things Mrs J commented on when we finally swapped Felicity (our 1992 Panda Parade) for Becky (our 2010 Panda Dynamic Eco). We tried the city button just to see what it did but never use it in daily driving.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Thankyou so much for this reply. I’ll endeavour to look at all this tomorrow and hopefully the simpler solutions might take us somewhere. If not, we’ll explore the route of the reconditioned steering unit as you suggest. Its pretty good that they have a lifetime guarantee of this is indeed the case.

We live in the Wakefield area of West Yorkshire, Pontefract to be precise.

Thankyou for your help. Gives me a little hope.

Have a look in "buying and selling" - subsection Traders Post - Western Power Steering. I have never had reason to buy from them but they seem to be "Pukka". I'd try them if I was in need. Bristol is not that far for you? - a lot closer that to me up here in Edinburgh! I think they do a diagnostic service if you can get the car to them easily.

 

[DaveMcT]

The 100HP, having wider wheels, uses the higher power setting by default. It goes to less assistance when sport mode is selected.


The steering does not seem to be any less reliable than in the more ordinary Pandas.

 

[Maybemaybenot]

Personally I leave it on all the time on my 4x4 as it only makes much difference manoeuvring. My thought on this is it'll only take any extra toll on a dying battery and the Panda has many built in early warning systems for that & the rest of the electrical system My latest was a pause on cold start and the clock resetting. That was the head to body earth strap needing cleaning up!

 

[varesecrazy]

Thankyou so much for this reply. I’ll endeavour to look at all this tomorrow

We live in the Wakefield area of West Yorkshire, Pontefract to be precise.

Thankyou for your help. Gives me a little hope.

Just for clarification..

The steering functions ok..
No red warning lights..

Just the Yellow 'city' symbol isnt illuminating.




Power consumption is still a candidate.. but generally you would see a Red warning light.


For info..
To change a cambelt:

You will disturb the alternator drive (that powers the steering via battery)

The Earth cable from battery to main earth points was probably NOT disturbed..



Look in Members section..

There are several members in Yorkshire with the MES software that can aid diagnosis of electrical issues


Maybe.. worth disconnecting the battery negative lead for an hour though..

As the reboot of the cars electrical system could do the trick

Charlie

 

[Maybemaybenot]

Just for clarification..


For info..
To change a cambelt:

You will disturb the alternator drive (that powers the steering via battery)

The Earth cable from battery to main earth points was probably NOT disturbed..

But the earth strap from the head to the body should be. Worth checking it went back properly.

 

[varesecrazy]

But the earth strap from the head to the body should be. Worth checking it went back properly.

Is that standard..?

Ive never seen one.. but only had pre 2008 cars

 

[Maybemaybenot]

My 2006 4x4 has one. Inch or so wide 'knitted' strap effectively makes a link across the engine mount.

 

[varesecrazy]

My 2006 4x4 has one. Inch or so wide 'knitted' strap effectively makes a link across the engine mount.

Non standard

All black clad nowadays ..

last plaid one Ive touched was on a 1990 tipo..

 

[Maybemaybenot]

Non standard

All black clad nowadays ..

last plaid one Ive touched was on a 1990 tipo..

Hah thought it was a bit retro. Definitely needed though, see fault above.

 

[portland_bill]

Have a look in "buying and selling" - subsection Traders Post - Western Power Steering. I have never had reason to buy from them but they seem to be "Pukka". I'd try them if I was in need. Bristol is not that far for you? - a lot closer that to me up here in Edinburgh! I think they do a diagnostic service if you can get the car to them easily.

Western Power Steering can recondition your own, or better, supply a reconditioned unit with a lifetime guaranee. Once fitted, they arrange collection of the old unit. Did mine a few years ago with one of theirs.

They've been around for many years, with hydraulic powers steering systems, and added electric ones as they became popular.

 

[koalar]

surely a blown dash bulb would be the most likely

or pressing the wrong button

 

[Kronkron]

Is it the operation of the city mode that has failed or just the indication (bulbs) that has failed?

From the OP I read it as the operation has failed. Can I ask what makes the OP think the city mode has failed? Rember city mode is not operational above (from memory) 15mph regardles of the button beimg pressed or not.

 

[koalar]

Is it the operation of the city mode that has failed or just the indication (bulbs) that has failed?

From the OP I read it as the operation has failed. Can I ask what makes the OP think the city mode has failed? Rember city mode is not operational above (from memory) 15mph regardles of the button beimg pressed or not.

I heard this so tried it


citty mode on my car still works at 55 mph. Both the light comes on and the steering goes lighter. It doesn't feel dangerous so might be proportional.

 

[Maybemaybenot]

At that speed light should come on but steering weight shouldn't change.