Technical Punto grande steering stiff and battery light on

[Pedro6]

hi I have a 2007 fiat punto grande, battery light comes on and steering wheel goes hard soon as turn it off n on again it’s fine replaced alternator but no luck soon a few people with same problem but never has a answer. Also I have a engine light on unrelated I think with a undocumented code ? Any advice would be great thanks

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi..fit a volt meter in cig socket.. around £5
Save a lot of guesswork

 

[Pedro6]

Hi..fit a volt meter in cig socket.. around £5
Save a lot of guesswork

Thanks mate

 

[varesecrazy]

Have you replaced the Negative battery to chassis cable.. ?
they can break down internally and cause power supply niggles

Cheap to replace too

 

[garethrobinson]

As others have suggested, it would be well worth checking the health of your battery. If you don’t already have the necessary equipment, retailers like Halfords will offer a free check. Independent battery retailers are likely to do the same.

I’d also be tempted to buy a cheap OBD reader from Amazon or similar and scan for any error codes. I mention this because I experienced similar issues when our Punto’s power steering motor started to fail.

I’m not saying yours is too, but at least you can rule it out.

 

[varesecrazy]

@Pedro6

You can use a 'jumplead' battery negative to engine metal .. as a test for that earth cable

 

[Pedro6]

cheers will try these things out, I did scan for codes for the engine light but it’s down as a “undocumented code” never get the chance to scan when battery light comes on tho

 

[garethrobinson]

Let us know how you get on please.

Out of interest, are you using MES to scan for error codes? I’ve found the generic apps don’t offer much when it comes to Fiats.

 

[deansbeans]

Hi all there is a bcm update for punto for battery light on but will need go a dealer but also power steering motors fail resulting in heavy steering

 

[SpudGunner]

Hi all there is a bcm update for punto for battery light on but will need go a dealer but also power steering motors fail resulting in heavy steering

Do you have any details of this BCM update?

 

[GrandePunto PL]

Is there a list of ECU updates anywhere (model / year / engine / what's the problem)?
It looks like people (garages equipped with Examiner) hide this kind of info ("top secret").

 

[ZYBORSCODE21]

Tengo el mismo problema. Tengo que abrir el interruptor 2 veces para que cargue perfectamente.

 

[Leroypanda]

Are there any issues fitting non genuine alternator to Grande and Evo Punto? Will it recognise it has a new one or throw error codes?

 

[varesecrazy]

Are there any issues fitting non genuine alternator to Grande and Evo Punto? Will it recognise it has a new one or throw error codes?

People have often had issues with this..

Maybe try getting the original rebuilt.. Brushes are easy.. Bearings not too bad

 

[GrandePunto PL]

If the alternator is corroded (because wrong - old style - water drains pouring on it), DIY rebuild will not be so easy.
Bearings may not be easy, brushes are (but the most common problem is the regulator, it drifts towards the lower voltages, alternator charges lower and lower over the years). But the brushes slip ring on the rotor/shaft is not (easy to bend, damage if you do it first time), there will be "runout".
Broken/cracked housing is beyond DIY. Example (non-English forum): http://fiatpunto.com.pl/post860939.html#p860939

Besides that, this is recent post (there is update for Body computer): https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/b...failure-on-first-start-up.504226/post-4762426

 

[Leroypanda]

Mines charging at 15.3v at present

 

[varesecrazy]

Mines charging at 15.3v at present

That sounds high,

Have you measured a 2nd way..?

 

[Leroypanda]

A 2nd way?

 

[Leroypanda]

Right then kids.

Thanks to the super useful guides and pictures I've done the following
Battery voltage overnight 12.7v
Alternator running 15.3
Running with loads 14.6v
Used jump leads to bypass earth straps no difference
Cleaned earth straps ( except super tricky gearbox one which I'm nervous of upsetting the clutch) no change.

So either worked alternator, or needs bcu update. I'm ruling out steering motor cause it only happens intermittently and rarely, steering otherwise works on city and normal modes and always comes back after a restart, also causing weird stop start issue so I'm certain it's electrical circuit.

Next step getting my tame mechanic to do the alternator while doing the timing belt and hoping it doesn't throw a fit with whatever alternator it gets.

I'll report back in a fortnight or so.

 

[varesecrazy]

A 2nd way?

A 2nd device..

As most of those readings look artificially high..

Got a 2nd vehicle you can measure.. as a reference..

Example :
I have a plug- In cigarette LED ONE,

SHOWS my 2012 as 12v, and up to 14. 3 running ( smart alternator)

My old GP shows 10.8 /10.9 off, climbs to @13 running (standard alternator)

Neither have issues starting or PAS. Troubles