fails more when the weather colder
fails less as the weather warms up again
fails more after overnight
doesn't often fail on the return from work
In then hands of the garage now.
not near Cheshire ?
Technical Red steering wheel light
- Thread starter Lorna87
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Technical Red steering wheel light
fails more when the weather colder
fails less as the weather warms up again
fails more after overnight
doesn't often fail on the return from work
In then hands of the garage now.
not near Cheshire ?
All accurate. Car wasn’t used at all yesterday, but was used quite a lot on Saturday with no issues, but can on this morning in way to work and went off just as I was about to park. Probably won’t come on again tonight, but obviously need to get it checked out now as it is happening more frequently and I want to make sure the car is “safe” given the concerns raised in this thread and will give me peace of mind if I can get the mechanics opinion. Obviously the garage is not a specialist with Fiat cars. No, I am near Birmingham, so nowhere near Cheshire.
shame as a have spare battery you could have tried for a week.
at least it would eliminate one thing
at least it would eliminate one thing
If it is the battery, then I’ll just ask them to change it. Although last time i did this (which did solve the problem) garage were adamant battery was measuring satisfactory. It was only because if guidance from this forum that I went ahead and changed the battery. The car did have good runs on Saturday thoigh, which makes me think it can’t be the battery.
The battery not holding the full charge..
better in the afternoon..as its only had 8 hours to hold its charge
Poor on a monday morning after 36 hours 'idle'..
Lets hope they find something conclusive
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Yes the safety thing is important ...When the power steering failed in our Idea ...it was fine to drive out of town but driving around Iraklion in traffic was harder ...but then driving around Iraklion in traffic is a nightmare anyway ...even with working power steering .....
I’m always prepared for the power steering to go - make sure I have two hands on the wheel and control the movement at all time, and I’ve always driven like this since the light came on - just in case. Light didn’t come on during journey to the garage, so maybe it is an issue with the battery just not holding its charge due to short journeys etc. Guess I just have to be guided by the garage and make sure that they fully test the battery and check all the connections before embarking on any steering column work. What would be an absolute disaster is if I go ahead with the steering column replacement, drive it out of the garage and the evil red light comes again!
I'd agree.
I feel for you; this is the last thing you should have to be worrying about. I can only hope the garage you have taken it to has the knowledge and equipment to diagnose it properly. But if it does turn out to be the column, and they repair it correctly or replace it, your car should give several more years of service without the problem reappearing.
Personally I wouldn't even consider buying a used Fiat unless I had the skills & facilities to maintain it myself. These days, if you need to go to a garage whenever anything needs attention, you'll likely pay quite a high price even for simple jobs; plus there's always a bit of unease about whether they've really done what they're supposed to. There's a lot to be said for a new car on a pcp, traded away before the warranty runs out and the problems start. It may not be the cheapest way to run a car, but the costs are predictable, and the peace of mind is priceless.
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The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
First. Good luck. Second we have an 11 Mylife and I noticed the earth lead from the battery is getting corroded. Our car lives in a garage 90% of the time and it a very clean and mollycoddled example. I am still looking for a replacement lead at a good price. I would ask them to check this too before more expensive work. We have not had any trouble yet... but I think this could be a potential issue. Are you still on your original battery?
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
I have the Fiat extended warranty that extends this to 5 years. It was a sensible cost on the new car. Do note that you have to buy this with the new car as for some reason they will not entertain selling one after the first month at the very outside. I agree with what JRK says. I have found the new cars to be very reliable (clutch master cylinder aside) Going back a lot of years I moved to new cars and found I was better off. Lower fuel use, less oil consumed, even tyre wear and lower service and repair costs all add up. If you can stretch to a new one it does remove the stress and fix your costs.
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A 2 year old battery could be failing, especially if a "budget" brand.
Sorry to put that back in the mix.
It certainly wasn’t a premium battery, so it was only cheap.
Some of the Pacific Rim marques come with this, or better, as standard.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Regretfully I agree, replacement batteries are variable in quality and unless a quality make it could still be the root cause.
Batteries that present as OK can have a single cell at fault and be a big pain to diagnose. I have had this on a few occasions.
Our 2011 car is definitely good for many more years, but I totally understand loss of faith. With this problem, I would do the following in this order
1. Get an alternator test and check the output is good and ask for a repeat test to confirm this. Ask for a short circuit drop test of the battery.
2. Change the earth strap
3. Replace the battery again
4. Get the steering column checked and if necessary refurbished.
When I PX'd out Bravo it was clear it was off to an auction and they were not much interested in it. Just as well as the gearbox was grumbling. When I collected the car they didnt even look at it. I wish I had sent it in without spending anything on trying to sort out its issues!
If you have to pay for the whole lot however its not likely to be economically unviable at c £750 as the car is worth around £2200 - 3000 and px may be less.
A decent Fiat dealer if you can find one should be able to resolve this properly for less than this or at least accurately diagnose the fault. My local one have 100% record of correct diagnosis and guarantee their work. I have found over many years they are the best bet for most jobs I cannot do myself. Fiat dealers are improving and now have better standards targets to meet. Ask them to show you what they have found and explain in detail. My garage seem happy to walk me to the car and explain properly what they have found without any issues. They have even sourced and fitted pattern parts on occasion.
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just read the first few pages of this thread.
it failed last winter also and went away on its own over summer ? and came back this winter
I am as confident as I can be the problem isnt in the steering column
it failed last winter also and went away on its own over summer ? and came back this winter
I am as confident as I can be the problem isnt in the steering column
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my 11 has a different type of earthing strapping compared to the 05/06 models
there no insulation on the outside. They get quite corroded but it only appears to be on the surface and doesn't appear to cause any problems.
The only ones I have seen fail are Punto. Where water would find its way inside. This couldn't happen on the 05/06 Panda as the ends are covered in heat shrink to stop this from happening
no idea why its been changed again but I am yet to here of one fail even if they don't look too good.
This garage has been going over 50 years and claims to have expert staff. I wouldn't use them if their services were free. Look at the advice on Fiat steering faults.
https://www.woodstockmotors.co.uk/repairs/common-car-faults.html
https://www.woodstockmotors.co.uk/repairs/common-car-faults.html
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