Punto (Mk2/2b) Warning lights

[Sue magpie]

Hi my 2005 1.2 active is playing up. Other day steering light came on no probs at first but then steering went heavy. Took to my garage today for diagnostic and mentioned check can. He is getting back to me as I have no luck with cars sounds expensive. Any help?

 

[Ziggy122]

Hi my 2005 1.2 active is playing up. Other day steering light came on no probs at first but then steering went heavy. Took to my garage today for diagnostic and mentioned check can. He is getting back to me as I have no luck with cars sounds expensive. Any help?

When you switch the car off and on again
does
A - the light go out after self test
B - Go back to full operation
C - Allows city mode light to illuminate and work (lighter steering achieved?)

I'd be checking Battery condition / maybe a battery maintaince
Check alternator output - are we getting a recharging voltage check?

Ziggy

 

[benny279]

heavy steering = 9/10 weak battery...
theres half dozen threads on here covering the beloved power steering issue:devil:
the puntos run of a electric power steering motor, which i must add is a thirsty little bugger, if battery isnt up to par p/s motor will see that and say to battery come on i want more juice! battery says no no no go away! p/s motor has a strop and shuts down, in turn comes heavy steering. and if you aint prepared for it, it can certainly take you by surprise
so heres what to do, take the car to a trusty local garage and ask them to test the condition of the battery to see wherever its a weakling or a goody, if weakling it means whip battery out put a new one in! you can even have this test done at halfrauds...
but yes as ziggy mentioned do get the alternator output voltage checked to make sure thats up to par too

 

[madmanc1973]

Hi,
I have the same post in this section,same problem same car!I did all the tests to be fair and battery was not the best so replaced it with a new one for £50 quid,and the power steering is still not working,although it may work for you it didnt for me so I am guessing a new power steering motor would solve the issue,I have found them online for lest than £100 (second hand),good luck

 

[PuntoHowTo]

You mention "check can" which is often flashed up on the radio when the battery has failed so all the above replies suggesting the battery may be e fault are most likely on the right track £50 for a battery and what ever the garage charge you to fit it

 

[benny279]

wait......£50 for a battery?
i paid £40 for mine....if it was £50 id hope to get free fitting thrown in there for that price, if not i would tell them shove that battery up their backside with a capital "b"

 

[madmanc1973]

Ha ha Yep but went for the expensive one thinking it would solve the problem It didnt so I am a tenner down!:bang:

 

[varesecrazy]

that'll be £10 well spent on COLD mornings,

Charlie

 

[benny279]

mines the bosch s4 battery £40 well spent imo back when i had battery issues it was always um excuse me could i borrow you for a minute i need to jump start my car didnt you get a deal? like give old battery and give percentage of money back?

 

[madmanc1973]

No didnt even think about it to be honest,reserved online and picked it up and fitted it myself,still got old one in boot!!Lesson learned,but as posted I will be glad in the winter,its a bosch so reliable I know,anyway it didnt fix the original fault!:yuck:

 

[Ziggy122]

Remove that battery out the boot

last thign you want is it to roll around - arc out on the back of the seat somehow and set the car ablaze

Always have batteries capped / terminals covered and strapped down when transporting

i also have a bosch s4 too! (2 infact!)
However in winter, its the alternator thats get a whipping, as the demand is high, and little rpm means you get voltage drops, i get really bad ones
low as 11.5v when sat at lights
So i either have to
- Turn fans off (best option to prevent engine overcooling)
- Turn Rear Demister off - possible option if im clear, but often im not
- Turn lights down, its a good idea, when sat in a long long que, but not great for safety point of view
- Forget the stereo

Ziggy

Ziggy

 

[benny279]

However in winter, its the alternator thats get a whipping,y

have you got round to putting a new drive belt on? i think my belt is beyond help now, ive done so many cheap fixes any idea what socket size i need to loosen the drive belt?

 

[varesecrazy]

From memory - it's a 17mm - but with an allen key HEX inside it,
slacken with the socket / ringspanner , then use the KEY to do the adjusting,
Charlie

 

[Ziggy122]

erm.... the i think thats for the 16v or 8v with a/c

The basic punto's use 3 bolts
2 sliders and 1 fixed, i just slacken enough to allow it to be moved and whip belt off with the crank sensor removed

Ziggy