Panda Power steering problem

[koalar]

Wheels straight when turning ignition all normal lights come on all go off except red steering wheel light

Thats strange there should be four or five that stay on ???

 

[DaveMcT]

Out 1.2 had steering problems caused by the alternator. A voltage test with engine running proved what was going on - Low volts cause steering to shut off.


If you are in UK, maybe there is a forum member nearby with MES who can scan you car and see what's going on.
https://www.fiatforum.com/multiecuscan-members-register/

 

[Ajc71]

Hi yes I'm in the UK. Just got back from the fiat garage. They said the voltage from the motor going through the ecu is 16 volts and it should be 14. So the motor is too powerful that's why the power steering won't work. Now need another motor. Anyone know where I stand with the company who sent me a motor that is too powerful for my car?? Got a lifetime warranty on the part but by the time I've paid to get it taken off and paid to send it back. Theyve looked at it and hopefully sent me a new one and I've paid to get that fitted. Going to cost a lot and take ages.

 

[A3jeroen]

I don't think the motor is too powerful, but your alternator gives too high voltage.

gr J

 

[DaveMcT]

Hi yes I'm in the UK. Just got back from the fiat garage. They said the voltage from the motor going through the ecu is 16 volts and it should be 14. So the motor is too powerful that's why the power steering won't work. Now need another motor. Anyone know where I stand with the company who sent me a motor that is too powerful for my car?? Got a lifetime warranty on the part but by the time I've paid to get it taken off and paid to send it back. Theyve looked at it and hopefully sent me a new one and I've paid to get that fitted. Going to cost a lot and take ages.

The alternator (electric power generator) has failed. A new one will cost about £100 maybe a little less. It might have damaged the steering electronics but more likely the electronics shut down to avoid damage.

You need a new alternator and possibly a new battery. It depends how long your battery has been subjected to the over voltage.

Sort that and your steering may well be fine.. In the meantime get a voltmeter to plug into your cigar lighter socket.

Cigar lighter type -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dual-Ports-3-1A-USB-12V-24V-Car-Cigare-te-Charger-Lighter-Digital-LED-Voltmeter/333357431397?hash=item4d9da6ba65:g:OM8AAOSwi~FdnZt~

Screw in type -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-24V-4-2A-Dual-USB-Car-Motorcycle-Charger-Socket-Adapter-Outlet-LED-Voltmeter/293620445052?hash=item445d246f7c:g:-~4AAOSwlRZe7cps

 

[MrMagoo]

I'm having a hard time believing the voltage is 16v. All your lights would be super bright and the wipers and heater fan super fast.
What this fault demonstrates is having the correct tools (multiscan or similar) and the knowledge to interpret the readings or results.
The OP says they have dash board red lights and the steering goes stiff.
This may be a power connector / connection problem such as a loose / corroded wire or terminal.
If you have breakdown cover, go to your friends house, call the breakdown to say you have broken down, have a cup of tea, and let them examine the car and ask for the report.
I will say modern cars are so complex you really need an accomplished engineer with the correct tools to correctly identify the fault.

 

[Ajc71]

I'm so confused the last garage checked the alternator and said it was working OK. Had a new battery fitted yesterday. Surely fiat would say if the alternator wasnt working correctly. The invoice says carried out diagnostic check. Checked voltage of ecu, high voltage for steering column. Requires new steering column.

 

[varesecrazy]

The battery is fine, so is the alternator and fuses all systems are fine but the machine gets no communication from the power steering so cannot scan for codes. I have no idea what the garage is using to do the diagnostic but will try to remember to ask when it goes back in on July 20th

Round in circles here

Can you please explain who has performed these various tests..

Somebody has not done well

 

[MrMagoo]

I wonder if you've got a high-resistance connection at the motor or in the motor. I used to see weird high voltages on high resistance connections. If you're the diy type, you could check the voltage at the motor.

 

[Ajc71]

1st local garage put car on diagnostic machine said it was the motor. Replaced with reconditioned one. 5 weeks later same problem power steering warning light on. Took back to original garage wanted to charge me again so found another local garage. 2nd garage put car on diagnostic machine all systems OK but no connection message from steering. On you guys advice asked him to check the battery and alternator. All OK. Took car to fiat main dealer today for diagnostic on steering they say too high voltage through ecu 16v not usual 14v. To high voltage for steering column. Need new steering column. But you guys say alternator. No one can give me a straight answer. Just want to get it sorted so I can sell it.

 

[koalar]

Wheels straight when turning ignition all normal lights come on all go off except red steering wheel light

1st local garage put car on diagnostic machine said it was the motor. Replaced with reconditioned one. 5 weeks later same problem power steering warning light on. Took back to original garage wanted to charge me again so found another local garage. 2nd garage put car on diagnostic machine all systems OK but no connection message from steering. On you guys advice asked him to check the battery and alternator. All OK. Took car to fiat main dealer today for diagnostic on steering they say too high voltage through ecu 16v not usual 14v. To high voltage for steering column. Need new steering column. But you guys say alternator. No one can give me a straight answer. Just want to get it sorted so I can sell it.

Its impossible to give you a straight answer

the information keeps changing and/or is incorrect.

there is an old saying garbage in equals garbage out.

If I go out to my car and switch on my ignition. The warning lights come on then go out.
Except the engine check, oil pressure, battery charge, low petrol and the handbrake

 

[MrMagoo]

All cars with EPS need a good battery so that was advice was correct. I suspect your replacement EPS is faulty and the FIAT garage tests confirms that.
Go back to where you had it fitted with the FIAT test result and ask them to fix it. If they refuse then be prepared you'll to take legal action.
Any competent garage will the correct diagnostic tool and see the fault.

 

[rmjbn1]

You need a new alternator and possibly a new battery. It depends how long your battery has been subjected to the over voltage.

I would agree. The alternator has an inbuilt voltage regulator. If 16v is reaching the electrical system then it would indicate that the voltage regulator has failed.

I would also be on the phone to Western Power Steering 0117-9602906 to explain what has happened, if they provided the replacement column.

 

[varesecrazy]

I would agree. The alternator has an inbuilt voltage regulator. If 16v is reaching the electrical system then it would indicate that the voltage regulator has failed.

Too much confusion..

Quote said '16v at motor'

What motor?
A point in Steering motor

Engine

Alternator

Not showing at battery terminals.. or you would hope one of the garages would have seen it..

 

[koalar]

Hi about 6 weeks ago I started getting an intermittent power steering warning light and the steering would go heavy. The garage said the motor had gone so I had it replaced with a reconditioned one. This morning the warning light and steering were playing up every few seconds. I put the car on my dad's car diagnostic machine and it came up with the codes p0300 and p0302 which mean cylinder misfire. Nothing about the steering. I read on an earlier post that the power steering can play up if the battery is low. The car has only been driven for 2 of the last 5 weeks. Any suggestions please as I really don't want to have to pay out another £600. Thanks

so the problem started when the car isn't used much

Hi I had the battery checked at bush tyres today and they said it was fine at 80% and didn't need changing. I drove to wotk today and the light was on for most of the way but didn't affect the steering. On the way home however the light was on and the steering was stiff. Got it booked back in on Friday at original garage to go back on the diagnostic machine. Another £43 to pay will post codes if they give me them which they didn't last time

the battery checked at 80% and charging okay

The battery is fine, so is the alternator and fuses all systems are fine but the machine gets no communication from the power steering so cannot scan for codes. I have no idea what the garage is using to do the diagnostic but will try to remember to ask when it goes back in on July 20th

alternator checks out fine

I have already had a reconditioned motor from wps fitted and the fault was back in 5 weeks. I told the garage you guys said it's probably the battery or the alternator and he checked them both and declared them fine. Just want it fixed so I can get rid of the damn thing now I've had enough

recon steering wheel fitted in the last 5 weeks. Battery and alternator checked fine here

This is the only barcode on the battery. It looks like the original one the car came with to be honest. Tried to start the car as its been stood a while and its dead so it might be a new battery after all. Husband at work so will have to get dad to get it started so I can go get a new one

not used for awhile and the battery is dead

Got car going took it to bush tyres they said battery was fine. Had a new battery fitted just to be safe. Made problem worse light was flashing on and off with occasional stiff steering. Now light on all the time steering permantly stiff.

but when a new battery is fitted it worse. But did take it straight back.

Red steering wheel light used to be on on ignition but then go off. Then flash on and off whilst driving sometimes making the steering stiff. Now on on ignition and never goes off steering permantly stiff

Wheels straight when turning ignition all normal lights come on all go off except red steering wheel light

interesting incorrect information given. How can oil pressure be present before you start the car. Even you start the car it should warn you the handbrake is on.

Hi yes I'm in the UK. Just got back from the fiat garage. They said the voltage from the motor going through the ecu is 16 volts and it should be 14. So the motor is too powerful that's why the power steering won't work. Now need another motor. Anyone know where I stand with the company who sent me a motor that is too powerful for my car?? Got a lifetime warranty on the part but by the time I've paid to get it taken off and paid to send it back. Theyve looked at it and hopefully sent me a new one and I've paid to get that fitted. Going to cost a lot and take ages.

The alternator has been tested three times (14.1V is normal) before and was fine now 16V.?

I'm so confused the last garage checked the alternator and said it was working OK. Had a new battery fitted yesterday. Surely fiat would say if the alternator wasnt working correctly. The invoice says carried out diagnostic check. Checked voltage of ecu, high voltage for steering column. Requires new steering column.

total rubbish and impossible for the high voltage to be caused by the steering column.

There is certainly some wrong information or really bad diagnostics going on.

So the original battery will not hold a charge for a couple of weeks and the replacement battery was worse but you didn't drive straight back ?

 

[DaveMcT]

IF the alternator is pushing out 16V it WILL ruin the battery old or new.

It should(?) not damage the steering motor, but the wrecked battery will cause problems next time the car is used.

 

[rmjbn1]

Not showing at battery terminals.. or you would hope one of the garages would have seen it..

That's very true. I just can't see how the steering column motor could be drawing 16v unless the alternator was overcharging the battery due to a failed voltage regulator.

I understood from the OP that a genuine FIAT dealership diagnosed 16v at the power steering motor?

How can this be if the battery and alternator have been tested?

The OP has spent some time and money having this diagnosed at various places now. The only outcome has been advice from FIAT to fit yet another replacement column.

If WPS can't offer any other advice, and if no parasitic drain can be found on the battery, if it was my car I would replace the alternator and earth strap at this point.