Technical EPS electric power steering faults

[MSH1]

Hello all.
I am not a mechanic but I love my fiat punto 188 MK2 (ZFA5000) 2002.
This car has a city button for lighter power steering. When you press the city button, a light comes on the dashboard that says CITY, and the steering becomes lighter.

PROBLEM (S):

Everyone once in a while when it rains the power steering light (red steering wheel) turns on, and then it goes away on its own. I know this is intermittent , not my biggest issue, just adding for context.

Another piece of information for context is that sometimes the gearbox light turns on and the brake clicks. Again only after heavy rain. I have learned this is due to corrosion located at the rear light cluster connection pin. The seal isn’t great so water might get through. Once the corrosion on the final connector pin of the light cluster is removed , the light goes away and brake stops clicking.


MAIN ISSUE:
Beginning yesterday, after turning the car on, the city light began flickering on the dashboard - affecting steering sensitivity.
When I long press and hold down the city button , the light goes away and the gearbox light (as above) flashes. This began after a hail storm.


I have a VAGCOM/KKL cable with switches , and a ELM 337 tool from eBay,
I use the multiecu scan tool normally, but can’t make it work for the power steering light, I don’t know how to make it work .
I get a message which says ELM327/ODBKey Interface or can’t find COM3.

I just want the light to stop and the problem to go away.

My non-mechanic mind thinks an electrical glitch maybe an earth problem (not something I can verify but just a feeling I have based on the erratic nature of the light).

Please can you guide me and help me.

 

[koalar]

You really need to post on in the Punto section

Although both have similar electric power steering with the city button, they are in fact different

The Punto for example has relays on the motor control board which were problematic, the panda does not

Worth checking the alternator belt for slipping, often worse when the roads are wet

 

[MSH1]

You really need to post on in the Punto section

Although both have similar electric power steering with the city button, they are in fact different

The Punto for example has relays on the motor control board which were problematic, the panda does not

Worth checking the alternator belt for slipping, often worse when the roads are wet

Hello! I didn't realise. Thank you!

 

[MSH1]

Hello! I didn't realise. Thank you!

It seems like there aren't many people with my fault. I am quite upset about the fault i've got. I can't afford to go the garage, as they will probably guess as much as I am currently doing.

 

[Luisc]

Hi great guide ,in my case is a bit weird ,seems like a binding Only on stopped position ,never in moving no lights or codes( and 1 year old battery) ,just a resistance in moving ocasionaly and happens most on the first starts ,i had other steering issues(Angle sensor) and this is is a refurbished unit could it be a mechanical binding or any clues ? Also it does a strange noise like cluncking noise when turning sharp turns in wet driving ONLY from the chassi , i suspect Control arm ball joint . Best regards

 

[koalar]

Hi great guide ,in my case is a bit weird ,seems like a binding Only on stopped position ,never in moving no lights or codes( and 1 year old battery) ,just a resistance in moving ocasionaly and happens most on the first starts ,i had other steering issues(Angle sensor) and this is is a refurbished unit could it be a mechanical binding or any clues ? Also it does a strange noise like cluncking noise when turning sharp turns in wet driving ONLY from the chassi , i suspect Control arm ball joint . Best regards

Yes but

The steering assistant is greatest at slow speeds

Binding rack, track rod ends, top mounts and is normally fine at car parking speeds and worse at higher speeds

Is the problem still there in city mode

Worth sorting second problem first, the clunking, It maybe connected, ball joints normally outlast the the rear rubber bush, get someone to move the steering wheel left and right while observing the rear over the control arm for vertical movement

 

[Luisc]

Yes but

The steering assistant is greatest at slow speeds

Binding rack, track rod ends, top mounts and is normally fine at car parking speeds and worse at higher speeds

Is the problem still there in city mode

Worth sorting second problem first, the clunking, It maybe connected, ball joints normally outlast the the rear rubber bush, get someone to move the steering wheel left and right while observing the rear over the control arm for vertical movement

There is no steering mode only sport , that put the steering harder , but really seems a mechanical binding rather than electric.i Will check it with someone , top mounts are new, i suspect Control arms since the tie rods are not seized

 

[Luisc]

Yes but

The steering assistant is greatest at slow speeds

Binding rack, track rod ends, top mounts and is normally fine at car parking speeds and worse at higher speeds

Is the problem still there in city mode

Worth sorting second problem first, the clunking, It maybe connected, ball joints normally outlast the the rear rubber bush, get someone to move the steering wheel left and right while observing the rear over the control arm for vertical movement

Worth mention that it only does that on Parked (dry steering) and with high friction pavement (never on garage floor) .best regards

 

[Delux]

Hi Pandistas, I have an intermittent red steering fault that appears when slowing from speed to turn either left or right. I followed the advice here and replaced the battery and also thoroughly cleaned the contacts on the battery negative after removing the earth connections.

I've done the lock to lock turn on gravel, as well as checked voltages off & running - all good. Also, the car feels like it's steering slightly to the left as I need to steer to the right about 5-10 degrees to keep it going straight (I recently had the wheel alignment done so it can't be that). With City mode engaged it doesn't seem to fail but I still need to steer to the right about 5-10 degrees to keep it going straight as the steering feels sloppy and I don't like driving with that mode engaged.

On start up there is a very short belt squeal so I suspect I may need to tighten the alternator belt but I have AC - it's there an adjuster somwhere I can use?

 

[koalar]

No adjustment on cars with Aircon, the tensioner is spring loaded

Belt squeak needs sorting as it probably connected to the steering light

Need to flick the belt off and turn the pulleys by hand when cold, sounds like one of the bearings has dried up or the belt has started to disintegrate,

Is the car pulling to one side or is the steering wheel not central or both

Was it doing it before the wheel alignment

Are the tyre pressures correct

 

[Delux]

No adjustment on cars with Aircon, the tensioner is spring loaded

Belt squeak needs sorting as it probably connected to the steering light

Need to flick the belt off and turn the pulleys by hand when cold, sounds like one of the bearings has dried up or the belt has started to disintegrate,

Is the car pulling to one side or is the steering wheel not central or both

Was it doing it before the wheel alignment

Are the tyre pressures correct

Ok thanks @koalar - could it be the tensioner is failing then?

The steering is centered when stationery, but pulling to the left while driving. Tyres are new and pressures good.

 

[koalar]

Was this more noticeable after the alignment

 

[koalar]

Ok thanks @koalar - could it be the tensioner is failing then?

Belt
Tensioner
Alternator

Which is why it's best to flick the belt off and diagnose rather than taking pot luck