Punto (Mk2/2b) Punto power steering aaaagh

[markdarbypearson]

Hi guys I Know this is Old news so I'll make it quick. What's best and cheapest way/place to fix punto 2004 mk2 pa's?

 

[judderbar]

There is a sticky for these problems.

First suggestion is to ensure the good voltage and very high current requirement of the power steering is in good condition because as the car ages the wiring can no longer pass the same amount of current as when new. Usually the problem with wiring can be isolated to a few connections and wires. The wires internally age even when the connections are good.

You need to be systematically work out what is working and what is not rather than replace battery, alternator, main earths, power steering motor, power steering ECU while continually spending money and getting nowhere . That might work for a garage where time is money but for an old car it is not justified when a bit of thought and time consuming checking can solve most problems due to the car aging and needing simple inexpensive maintenance.

 

[markdarbypearson]

Thank you! Are there any videos/tutorials to show what to check? I am no expert with cars but have a basic mechanical and electrical knowledge. Would it be wise to check battery first. The car starts no problem. I was thinking of buying a meter to check it. What should it read if I check the battery?

 

[isthisagoodidea]

I feel your pain markdarbypearson .. yes check the battery first and the fuses .The power steering on my 2004 Idea a few weeks ago ..after making the first checks . I got a local Garage to plug in a fault finding gizmo and a lap top and the told me the motor had failed ....no parts available here in Crete ...I got a replacement EPS unit from a breakers in Italy with the same part number 'cos I could not find out if the units were handed I thought one from Italy would be LHD ...it came out at 142 Euros inc delivery and 80 euros to fit it in my local garage took about two hours ...I'm gonna send the old one in to be reconditioned ...so get the order number from yours and get on ebay ...good luck ..

 

[nitramtpr]

How often does the light come on? Mine (I've got an '06 1.2 8v) used to come on only if I'd gone into full lock one way or the other. Turning the engine off and back on would clear it, since I've put a new alternator and battery on I've not had the light come on at all.

For checking the battery, do it with the ignition off first, the battery should be showing between 12.4v and 12.6v, anything under that shows the battery isn't fully charged or is not holding a charge properly
Now turn the engine on, the reading should now be around 14.5v (although I think the minumum is 13.8), if it's higher than 14.6 it can damage the battery.

So.... a good battery should be showing about 12.5v with the engine off and then with the engine on the alternator should be pumping out about 14.5v.

My daughter had an '02 punto a few years back, I used the guides to change the steering column and got a refurb unit from BBA-Reman off Ebay (they're in Rochester, Kent).

Make sure you get the info off the sticker on the motor as there are two types.
If you have the tools it isn't a hugely difficult job, I did it on my drive in about 2.5 hours.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Pun...epair-Service-Lifetime-Warranty-/391718692644

Here are the guides, I know it says HGT but it worked perfectly for my 1.2 8v

Guide Part One:

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk2...eplace-pas-column-punto-mk2-hgt-part-1-a.html

Guide Part Two:
https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk2...eplace-pas-column-punto-mk2-hgt-part-2-a.html

 

[varesecrazy]

Thank you! Are there any videos/tutorials to show what to check? I am no expert with cars but have a basic mechanical and electrical knowledge. Would it be wise to check battery first. The car starts no problem. I was thinking of buying a meter to check it. What should it read if I check the battery?

See the answers above.

Battery most likely..