I'm getting intermitant power steering faiure. when it happens, I can drive the car but with very heavy steering (ie it's the power assisance to the stearing which is failing) Stopping and re-starting the engine cures the problem, temporarily. I believe it's a 'normal' (ie, 'known') fault on this model (along with the Head Gasket and ventilator issues).
My dealings with he Fiat garage have been 'mixed', so before I go I wanted to ask on a civilised forum whether this a big job or an easy fix.
Views from those of you in the trade especially welcome and many many thanks in advance.
Edited by Webmaster on 03/11/2007 at 15:07
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GJ
Are you getting the EPAS [steering wheel] warning light coming on? If not; check for a charging fault.
The whole column assembly normally needs changing, unless it's a fault with the EPAS ECU itself.
Fault-codes can be read by someone with the right equipment; but it's a very common failure.
See:-
www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?content=fiat_punto_...c
_power_steering_failure
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Ive got one with this fault ,parked up
3 ways to tackle it
1-buy s/h shaft from the breakers about £140 quality unknown but guaranteed ish
2-buy from a company such as bba (do a google) about £250 i believe but 2 year guarantee
3-new from fiat £800 i understand
i read that it is imperative to disconnect the battery and not to reconnect it back up until you are 101% sure all the multiplug cables are ALL reconnected
I have never done one of these ,thankfully, but the job looks straight forward as i found there is a joint where you put your foot prior to the rack going through the bulkhead if you understand me? so i reckon the usual downshaft unbolting and carefully removing of steering lock bolts while everything is on the bench (use a punch) dont forget the airbag squibby thing ,in fact if i was you i would invest in a haynes manual and make it your bedtime read before i touched the job
if anybody knows a dodge that includes a 10 pound lump hammer i am also carefully listening for it,so i dont end up paying for this powered downshaft :-(
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Thanks a lot for the replies.
Yes, the power steering warning does come on before it fails.
I'll get a quote from Fiat and from a local independent. I live in France, so it makes things a bit trickier. It's easy to get paranoid that they hear the English accent and double the price. Oh to be back in Wigan were everything was cheap and easy and I trusted people. And I could eat a couple of pies while waiting for the car to be fixed. (That's what we need in the Glass Palaces, PIES, no need for the coffee)
I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks again it's much appreciated,
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Have a look here:
tinyurl.com/36vyr5
Not terribly encouraging, but the battery might be an option...
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AJH
He's talking baloney. A flat battery won't cause EPAS problems; only a supply voltage code at worst.
A charging fault is the only thing that is relevant.
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Thanks a lot, really useful. At least I now know I have to go to a Fiat dealer to get the codes read (I assume a small independent won't have the 'Gizmo'?? ). I now have the choice between going to Geneva where they charge London prices but are honest decent, and treat you nice. Or I can go to the French dealer (where I bought it) and depending on the 'mood' there I could be treated like the man who broke wind at the vicars tea-party. (But it's cheaper).
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GJ
Lots of small garages have, or at least have access to, the necessary kit; worth an ask.
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