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Technical HELP! Punto Steering Problems!!

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Technical HELP! Punto Steering Problems!!

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Mike From Cardiff

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I was wondering whether any Fiat experts could help me out with a steering problem I've currently got with my '00 reg Punto Sporting.

About a month ago the power steering decided not to work anymore - the red warning light has remained illuminated and my upper body strength doubled since!

Then, one day, the light went off and all was working okay again (without the need of a trip to a garage (which i was putting off until I had sufficient funds!!). Alas, this was only temporary and again the power steering has failed and my light is back on!

I took the car to Fiat on Monday who kindly (for the handsome sum of £34 plus VAT) hooked my car up for a diagnostic check. Some half an hour wait the (very) young lady behind reception told me I needed a new "shaft" (this wasnt an offer I was disappointed to note) and it would cost £518.58 plus VAT to supply and fit. She continued to ask whether I wanted her to order the part!!!!

The shaft in question has a part number 46755211 - has anybody else had a problem like this?? £600 is a bit too expensive for my liking and I am kinda hoping somebody somewhere has an idea which could save me being shafted by Fiat!

I was given no further information or advice!

Many thanks in advance!

Mike
 
well i never had your problem i had a different one that consisted of knocking noise that could be heard and felt in steering wheel when turning at slow speeds, this fiat told me was a steering shaft failure and it would be £500+ luckily i had a bought an extended warranty when i got teh car second hand. but would seem that its correct fiat price for part but hmmmm seems strange your shaft needs sorting (no inuendo intended) for loss of power steering.

om a side note the receptionist that told me i had a faulty shaft was also very young and kept pressuring me to order part. then i whipped it out and slapped it on the desk infront of her, my warranty book that is. that soon wiped the smile of her face :D

2001 Punto sporting in sprint blue with matching Mr Bump air freshner all together now mmmmmmm
 
I'm Afraid this is quite a common problem. The torque postion sensors inside the unit become faulty thus making the steering not work. These can not be changed. A new steering shaft/unit is then required. Not cheap.. On The new mk3 Punto The steering unit is now modified.
 
Sorry if this is a stupid question but, can't you just drive it without power steering? The punto is not that heavy of a car and before power steering was invented we would just have to get on with it. Secondly, is it possible to get this shaft from a breakers yard and fitted by a non-fiat garage?
 
well is a nice idea bosco but since they invented power steering everything is geared up to having that working so when it aint its hard to turn wheels. if you got a mk2 punto or mk1 for that matter go on a a car park drive at about 20 turn ignition off and coast then try and turn wheel. dam it a big difference and wait to your car gets slower. if you only have thin tyres its a lil easier.

2001 Punto sporting in sprint blue with matching Mr Bump air freshner all together now mmmmmmm
 
Exactly right thefishdude!! i've been driving without power assistance for about a month now and yes it is possible - however, turning at slow speeds is very difficult (hence the upper body strength i am currently gaining!!) - bosco, give it a go!!!

I will try and get the part from a breakers and get it fitted by a non-fiat garage in the not too distant future as undoubtedly this will save me around £500!!
 
hmm .. I've just bought a year 2000 Punto ..On the test drive it was drifting to the left .. I only have a 1 month warranty .. how can I test this component? I pick the car up on friday. What else should I look out for?
 
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Just to add to the fun...

My power steering has expired again.... 3rd time... but it has fixed itself on all previous occasions !!

It's a bugger...

If it's just the bit in the motor though, can't that be replaced as it's accesable through the fuse box.... One from a breakers ?

Something to do this weekend... have a look around for a bent or squashed punto !!
 
Mike From Cardiff said:
The shaft in question has a part number 46755211 - has anybody else had a problem like this?? £600 is a bit too expensive for my liking and I am kinda hoping somebody somewhere has an idea which could save me being shafted by Fiat!
Click to expand...

My steering on MK2 Punto also failed at just 2,500 miles but at 2 years old - but I was doing such low mileage cos I was going to work by train and working some crazy hours that I hardly used the car, costed about £400 to have a new steering system put in, but got FIAT UK to pay half due to the fact of the very low mileage of the car and the fact it was my family's 3rd punto, hence loyal customer.
 
Hi Mike,

My first post!!!

I've just had the same problem. Took it to Alpha and Yapps who after the diagnosis said it was the steering motor. With a new battery cost me £350 all in.
 
welshpaul said:
Hi Mike,

I've just had the same problem. Took it to Alpha and Yapps who after the diagnosis said it was the steering motor. With a new battery cost me £350 all in.
Click to expand...

I think this is slightly different .. to the problem above where a new shaft is required .. The steering motor .. I wonder if that might also be called a 'power steering pump' .. I had this failure with a Rover ..never got it fixed .. although it would have been quite easy to fix providing the bolts did not shear or anything like that. I had to abandon the car when its brakes fell to bits .. it was very old and much neglected .. Now I have a Punto .. :cool:
 
Last edited:
Mike From Cardiff said:
Exactly right thefishdude!! i've been driving without power assistance for about a month now and yes it is possible - however, turning at slow speeds is very difficult (hence the upper body strength i am currently gaining!!) - bosco, give it a go!!!

I will try and get the part from a breakers and get it fitted by a non-fiat garage in the not too distant future as undoubtedly this will save me around £500!!
Click to expand...

Where are you based, theres a MK2 in my local scrappy.
 
I have had simmilar probs my 53 punto Active Sport is due in the garage again Monday for the sixth time.

No warning lights this time though could just be driving along and the power steering will just fail ive given Fiat so many chances to rectify the problem twice they claim they have replaced the steering columm they also claim its a un-common fault they just dont seem capable of fixing it im currently in talks with the HP company and Trading standards to get my money back

is there anyone in simmilar situation?
 
welshpaul said:
Hi Mike,

My first post!!!

I've just had the same problem. Took it to Alpha and Yapps who after the diagnosis said it was the steering motor. With a new battery cost me £350 all in.
Click to expand...

:confused: steering motor does not come seperate as its part of the column plus they are around £440.Are you sure they changed the electric motor or the ECU as that comes seperate.

gfunk.....53 plates suffered VSS problems that bring on steering light & often log P0500 errors in the body computer & engine ECU,if your car is non-ABS i'd ask them to check this.Also did they calibrate the new column?
 
Too late for most, but if your buying a MK2 Punto check the service history for a replaced steering column mine went when the car was about eight months old and thankfully was replaced under warranty.

I looked at a few Puntos last year to replace my ageing Polo. Found some bargains, but none had had column replaced. Or window wiper motor...

My light comes on now and again, but I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it's a wiring 'blip' rather than the start of another failure!

Now my engine light has started to come on! AAAaaaaaarrrrgggghhh!!!!

I ended up buying a Seat Arosa which is a VW Lupo with a Seat coat on.

Black!
 
If engine light is on aswell then it's probably just requiring VSS wiring modification assuming your punto is non ABS & between 52-54 plate.Get codes read & look out for P500 code.

I know of many puntos that have never had a replacement column,airbag light on or even a ECU!!
 
heya all. iv got a 53 reg facelift active sport.had it about 6 months and its great.but in the last 6 munths ive had the steering light and engine light come only about 3 times. now its fine.

i aint 100 percent sure but something u guys could look into is that ...i once read that it can be a wiring fault playing up under the drivers seat that plays up now and then.that could me it:) insted of getting ripped off for a new steering colum.im hoping it is just a "wiring" fault and not the whole steering column.soo if you guys have the steering problem again....consider that it can be just a wiring fault under the seat :) before forking out loads to fiat for new steerin column. im tyring 2 find more information on it and il let you know if i find out more sources on it:). the way i got rid of the steerin fault was by switching my car off and back on:) and it went. so try that:) also make sure you wait for all the lights to go off on the dash. and avoid using the city mode:). because i think thats 1 reason which triggers it off in some cases. because people drive with the city mode on and its only meant to be used for parking. :) so avoid using that to save you a hefty bill:)
 
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