Punto (Mk2/2b) Punto Mk2 missing part?

[leeips]

Hi, just bought a 2000 W Reg 1.2 ELX 16V Punto. It come in with power steering prob, initially thinking get a diagnostics check from fiat but noticed a missing part from the engine compartment, i am guessing it may be the power steering refill unit?

I will try and upload pic but, its at the back right, one vertical aluminium pipe about half inch thick with a release valve, and the other aluminium pipe cut about six inches away and six inches above....

Any ideas...and will a direct replacement be a cure to the power steering that doesnt work at all??

Lee

 

[Eklipze3k]

Welcome to the forum

It's electric power steering so there is nothing to refill, a picture of what you think may be missing might help to identify it but I doubt it'll be anything to do with the power steering.

 

[leeips]

dont seem to be able to upload at the moment, they are in my gallery but can add picture

 

[Eklipze3k]

I think that's an aircon hose. Definitely nothing steering related though.
Best bet would be to get it plugged in and get the codes read, you could try FiatECUScan.

 

[RaulCarnahan]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
I think you will be able to upload pictures after you have 5 posts on the forum.
Try and get a picture up so we can have a better look

 

[Eklipze3k]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
I think you will be able to upload pictures after you have 5 posts on the forum.
Try and get a picture up so we can have a better look

dont seem to be able to upload at the moment, they are in my gallery but can add picture

 

[PuntoHowTo]

that is indeed a big chunk of air con pipe work.

first things first with your steering fault, do you have a power steering warning light on the dash ?

 

[leeips]

Hi thanks for the info regarding air con. Its of no consiquence really regarding the air con i didnt think it had it anyway..
However, yes the steering warning light is on...i dont know if its worth buying a ecu reader of ebay?? as a check at the dealer is £100 with vat. Or if you have something else in mind?
Lee

 

[RaulCarnahan]

aha, my bad

 

[PuntoHowTo]

your battery looks fairly new but its always worth making sure its well charged (preferably off the car) and top up the water level if its down.

you could try this temporary fix

and see how it goes but in all fairness i would assume you'll probably need a new motor/steering column
it does look like to me that someone has hacked through that air con pipe with a saw or grinder which makes me suspicious of the reasons, i don't think anything is actually missing, that looks like the low pressure side/fill point so the only thing between it and the pump would be the accumulator which i don't think lives there anyway.

has the car had a new engine in the past ?

 

[leeips]

Just went to try quick fix and the car is dead, i think the battery is flat, will change it at the scrappy...would low output effect the performance of the power steering?

 

[Eklipze3k]

Yes, fairly common fault if I'm right.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

You need a very good battery on a punto with electric power steering as the steering is a big drain on the electrical system of the car as much as 60 amps on full lock which to put it in perspective is twice what a domestic electric cooker is rated for.

Any battery or alternator problems can cause the steering light to come on or the steering to fail, that said the steering column could still turn out to be faulty even after a battery change.

 

[s and b]

i would confirm alternator is working properly before condemming battery especially as someone has hacked the air con out (possibly illegally too)