2001 punto electric 'E-Steer' power steering fails after a while. If engine is switched off and then on again it works OK for an unspecified time - 5 miles or 50 miles. I thinks its the ECU module but cannot find a place that sells new or reconditioned ones. Any suggestions without having to buy a whole new steering column?

John MacDonald, April 2008

No answer, just the same problem with a 2012 fiat 500 sport. Seems fiat is still ignoring the problem. It started in the winter at about 32,000 miles. Only when temp. was really cold. It would come back on after driving it a few miles and turning car off and on a few times. The esc light came on as well. Then started doing it more often regardless of weather. Sometimes esc light would go off while driving, but power steering light would stay on. They are both on now as soon as I start the car. Tried unhooking the battery, will try again for a longer time. Battery is good, checked all the fuses, replaced 3, cause I have multi-air, replaced a 10 amp with a 25 amp, and a 40 amp with a 30 amp. no change. I know it's some electrical malfunction because it's not consistently off or on. It's just a pain same with the dealership and the same with chrysler/fiat in michigan. They won't even honor their written maintenance agreement. Chrysler/fiat said it was only for the 'promotional fiats" I told the girl on the phone my warranty manual that came with the car said I would get free oil changes and tire rotations and expendibles like wiper blades for 36,000 miles. She said all the cars got those manuals but we only honor it for promotional fiats. what a crock. fiats are cool little cars, I love mine, but the company can't expect to grow until they take care of their customers/ customer service.

Dianne, October 2016

I have just taken my 2000 Punto to Magik Joe and what an amazing service.

Firstly, I was quoted by my local garage £500 quid to fix the power steering issue that I was experiencing and that they would need to keep my car for at least a week for them to send the part off to get it fixed and that it would be two days work to fit the part.

Granted, looking online this was about the going rate for this kind of fault, but when I had only spent £700 on the car, I wasn't prepared to spend that much.

So I decided to do a bit more digging, which is where I stumbled across Magik Joe.

Granted, I was initially skeptical due to the low prices he was quoting on various forums, but I thought I'd give him a call. He did have excellent feedback from previous customers, so I though I'd give him a call.

After arranging a time, he had stripped the part, and fitted a new one well within under an hour, however it didn't stop there. He went on to check my handbrake and some steering alignment at no extra cost.

He also ran the diagnostic software after fitting the part to show it had all been resolved.

Really recommend Magik Joe. What a great service! Will be using him for any further issues.

Donna Stevenson, January 2014

If you are changing the complete column with its matching ecu then it does not need to be calibrated. If you are fitting a column made up of parts from various sources then calibration will be needed. 07989405872 Joe

Magik Joe, December 2013

when .changing steering column on 52 plate punto do you have to recode the ecu

graham willis, December 2013

Just going to vouch for Joe of Magik Spanners.

I rang him yesterday (17/4/13) to book my car in. I saw him today at 7pm.

7.37 I left with my power steering working. He also fixed a faulty airbag light free of charge.

Total: £70

Great guy, with a geniune passion for fixing cars.

Definitely keeping him top of my list for future servicing.

Couldn't recommend anyone better.

Ruhull, April 2013

New website address for Birmingham-based Punto power assisted steering fault repair is:

www.magik-spannerz.co.uk/punto

Many thanks.

Magik Joe, January 2013

The guy in Birmingham is me, 07989 405872

I hope I'll hear from you soon, and the new website will along as soon as I get a moment....

Magik Joe, January 2013

Can anyone give me the number for the guy in Birmingham. The web address takes me to a garden machinery suppliers in surry.

Mickyd, January 2013

Luke, if you're anywhere in reasonble travelling distance of Birmingham, why not pop over and I'll run a diagnostic check on it for you. I also keep all parts of the system in stock and at very keen prices if the system has a fault. Take a look at www.segm.co.uk/Punto.htm for further info.

All the best,

Magik Joe, December 2012

i have the power steering problem on fiat punto (y)2001
could the battery be the problem as i got my batery checked and it nearlly dead but ok for now could this be the problem or more likely to be motor ?

Luke, December 2012

I can run a full diagnostic on all Fiat EPS systems in Birmingham, and I keep all parts for MK2 Punto steering systems, all variants (99 - 03 / W - 03) in stock. Take a look at www.segm.co.uk/Punto.htm for details.
All the best,
Joe

Magik Joe, October 2012

I've recently brought a fiat punto 1.2 Mia first car & after a week my power steering light came on & the steering whent & then it's started working agin but it keeps coming & going I donno what to do because I havent got a lot of money ATM but its just winding me up I Hurd it could be due to thr battery as when I brought this car the owner said it hadn't been run for a wile could that be the problem ? Plz help

Steve, October 2012

Have just driven to Birmingham with no power steering - arrived at 7.30 and by 8.30 drove home with problem fixed for just £70 as mentioned a few posts above and just like Mike I can't recommend him enough, great service and a pleasure to deal with! Much cheaper than putting a new motor on and he gave us a 12 month guarantee. Take a look at www.segm.co.uk/Punto.htm :D

Paul, September 2012

Hello again folks. Just a quick re-post to advise people experiencing this common fault that it doesn't have to break the bank or your heart to get your Punto steering fixed. 98% of my customers have had their Punto steering repaired for the £70 quoted. No fix, no fee, all you need to do is bring your MK2 (99 - 03) Punto to me in Birmingham. I look forward to meeting you.

www.segm.co.uk/Punto.htm

Joe, September 2012

there is a place in bristol called western power steering they supply recon power steering for 160 pound guaranteed for two years rather than replacing the motor you still could be left with the fault you started with where if you replace the full steering column you get rid of the problem as everything in the column is brand new i was quoted 1400 for the same part via local garage via dealer phoned these people very helpfull i would recomend them to anyone next day delivery a bonus

Chris Germain, July 2012

We had the same problem with our 2001 punto and I seen the post above about the guy that can fix the problem for £70. I can't recommend him enough, great service and a pleasure to deal with! Much cheaper than putting a new motor on and he gave us a 12 month guarantee :D

Mike, July 2012

Fiat should be forced to own up to this steering problem. All the letters refer to models in late 90's to around 2002. with thousands of letters reporting power steering failure which is a pretty dangerous fault on a car. I suspect anyone having had an accident with their Fiat Punto directly caused by the steering failing, have a very solid claim against Fiat. A good claims laywer would be the answer. Incidently, my daughter just bought a Fiat Punto 2006 (3 days ago) and the power steering is failing intermittendly and after reading all the letters above, I now know it is going to go permanently.

Daniel, May 2012

tom, my punto elx has the same problem, I know the noise you mean, i'm not sure if thats the power steering or just the noise of the steering collum, any way my power steering started to fail a few weeks ago, it would come on if i was turning a corner on low revs, I simply turned the ignition offand removed the key, turned it back on whilst moving the wheel. that worked a few times however yesterday the wholething failed and is now costing me £250 to get it fixed. if your not sure some garages will have a look for free.

jacmac, May 2012

My girlfriend had the same problem with her parents punto, on Christmas eve 2010 she was going round a corner and the power steering failed, consequently she drove it through a hedge and wrote it off. She has now been given one by her grandfather (he can no longer drive) and is a little nervous of it happening again.

My question is; is there any way of spotting the problem before it happens? I can hear the motor/pump (I think ???) whining a bit when turning, is this normal? sounds a bit like a squeaky door. Is it worth replacing for new after a few years anyway?

Any thought or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Tom, May 2012

Bring your Puntos to me in Birmingham (M6 J7) and I'll fix your power steering fault, with guarantee, for £70. Takes about two hours. No fix, no fee. 07989 405872

Joe, May 2012

i recentley brought a fiat punto, 2001, 1.2,. i have only had it for a week when all of a sudden that day as i was parking up the power steering went on it and the steering became hard! luckily i was in my steet when it happened and not on main road! i was stuck in the middle of the road and had to call my dad who came to my rescue! i am 19 and this is my first car, gonna get it fixed and get rid!!! NEVER EVER BUY FIAT PUNTO EVER AGAIN!!!!!! BEWARE PPL

SARAH, BFD, April 2012

Pull out the fuse, start the engine and replace the fuse while the engine is running, seems to reset the system and works ok, did for me anyway!

Andy, September 2011

For all your power steering problems see western power steering for exchange units. They know what needs to be done to fix your unit. Top job done on my wifes Fiat Punto.

wayne, June 2011

Hi ,
Fiat punto mk2 ,
Power steering failed intermittent just like most of the others finally failed completely. following the advice from elsewhere disconnected the battery , removed steering motor itself ( after marking position on shaft ) , unsolder 6 heavy leads inside end, remove relay PCB and re solder the coil connections on the relays reassembled being careful to get the motor shat back in same position. Problem now solved and all works perfect again.
Cost was about 3 hours of my time would be faster but i am partly disabled.

span, April 2011

hi guys....bought my fiat punto 1.2 elx 2002 about 4 weeks ago 3rd week in on a very cold morning started the car and put the city button on....suddenly power steering light came on and no power to the steering after much research on the net etc and mini check with an auto electrician i decided to try some of the advised things out.....disconnected battery for about 5 mins and tried after connectin same prob and then finally i started the car and kept the revs up high 2000-3000 revs for about a min....have been driving the car a with the problem cured but i do suspect my battery is not good and may need replacing....hope thhis helps someone out there as other post have helped me decide what to do....regards

eternal, November 2010

disconnect battery have it tested must be fully charged.leave battery disconnected for at least one hour then reconnect this has worked for my w reg punto

j haywood, September 2010

Italian shit got same problem.. on my 00 EJX TDI given the car free off my father low millage well serviced and looked after.Turbo stopped working until car warmed to running speed. Auto electrician charged me £70 to hook up to his gear then told me it had three faults and i needed to pay another £300 for parts plus labour.Obtained an airflow metre for £27 from ebay fitted and cured one of the faults i just hit luckey .The Big fat greedy twat was grining,Robbing me blind was on his mind. 12 months later and 10,000 miles down road,Once the engine reaches running temp 10 to 15 miles depending on the ambient temp.The engine shuts down and will not start again until cool.£ hours to complete 25 miles.while awaiting for the engine to cool i just kept thinking about the Fat man ripping people off.NO WAY... took me 15-20 hours trawling forums till i found the fault.THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR UNIT was SHAGGED i took a gamble ordered one from ebay £29.
and sorted.Up yours Mr Auto Electrian but reading the forums on power steering problems and the price.My Fiat Punto shall be fired first.Steer clear of these shit Italian motors with very poor electronic systems.Same goe's For Ducati,i ride Suzuki Ducati are renound for going one way only and the AA bring you home.ITALY steer Clear

Rob, August 2010

Mine is A 2002 fiat punto. The red light came on and the power steering comes and goes. Mostly gone now. I think I'l stay away from this car next time. FIAT- 'Fix It Again Tomorrow!' So be warned all. Cant believe so many of us facing the same problem KMT!

Clare, July 2010

i recently bought a 2001 fiat punto, the guy i got it from told me the power steering sometimes didnt work (but would never cut out whist driving) he had got a quote from a main dealer for £300 to get it fixed. luckily my boyfriend is good mates with a mechanic, who hooked it up to a computer and found the problem, which was the ECU and motor! went on ebay and found them sold together for £109, also reconditioned ones for £189. thought about going to scrap yard to get a cheap one, but as they all have the same fault, didnt want to get one to then find that it didnt work either!

Annonymus, July 2010

yeh my 2003 1.2 had the same problem, but i never got the chance to fix it because the second time the steering failed i hit a tree at 60mph and totalled the car. i rang fiat for an explanation to this (and the airbags not deploying, baring in mind this was a tree 6ft wide!) and they seemed bamboozled....also they said the airbags only deploy when hitting a flat surface
(6ft wide tree apparently doesn't count) so please be wary of this too!!!

glennyT, June 2010

same has happened 2 my w reg punto elx steerin light comes on and no power steerin! mechanic i know took the pump off and wielded something inside it? worked 4 a week and packed up again! is it just the pump or somethin eles aswel?

shelley, June 2010

My 02 punto sporting had power steering coming and going and then it completely went, Fiat quoted £600 for parts and labour, local garage around £300. after reading up on the problem from experts, not form forums (which is opinionated) i bought a second handed, tested Electric power steering column from a fiat scrapyard, took off the P/S 'MOTOR' and replaced it with my faulty one, not the entire rack as everyone keeps suggesting but just the motor, it now works fine! i followed the steps above from 'SKred' Oct 2009 - heres how you do it, took me 20 mins.
Firstly, its important that the ECU number to which the electric motor is attached matches the donor (on ECU is 4 digit number - mine 6670). Replacing the unit is a piece of cake (socket set and allen key). The ECU and motor are placed by the steering column beneath the steering wheel. All you do is remove the plastic cover that goes underneath the s/w and the plastic tray between the s/w and the driver door. Bit fiddly but this should present the ECU and a silver barrel that's attached to it (p/s motor). With a bit of working around the motor should come free (I had to slightly loosen the four nuts holding the steering column to the dash to provide some room). Gently work out the three electrical attachments from the ECU and any other fiddly bits and you should have the unit free.

Then replace, reverse the above (ensuring the steering column bolts are tightened!), and you should be good to go.


Sounds daunting but if you take your time and ensure you understand all the steps you shouldn't have a problem.

Danny S, April 2010

you can just change the ecu on the column 9 out of 10 times its this thats at fault. but make sure you get the same numbers as it tallys up with the motor to work as it should
the numbers should be in bold black letters
and be either 6670, 1077, 9238 but this ones a bit rare
hope this helps or just fit the whole steering column motor and ecu the lot.....

THEREALNAPSTER, April 2010

I have a 02 VW Lupo which has the same e-steer system from delphi (american crap) it was optional extra, and guess what it doesn't work either. I'm seriously considering just taking the motor off as it's a small aluminium car with 4" wheels how heavy is it going to be!?
The cars a import they never sold them in this country so parts probably not avaliable for me but i found a site advertising remanufactured Fiat units here

http://www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?content=fiat_punto_brava_bravo_electric_power_steering_failure

hope it's of use

Busjedi, March 2010

I bought a 2000 reg fiat yesterday, checked it over, all looked fine. This morning the power steering had broke and keeps coming on and off. The guy I bought it from won't take it back but I've read it's illegal to sell an unroadworthy car. (This includes broken brakes, steering and other issues) Apparently I can take him to a small claims court but not sure if I have a case????

According to fiat garage and other garages it's a min of £500 which seen as I bought it for £950 is ridiculous!

If I get the ecu reset, will it solve the problem?

helzz, February 2010

My son has a 2002 Punto. The power steering began to come and go and eventually stopped working altoghther. He persevered for a while, but then it gave trouble starting and he had to install a new battery. Once installed, the steering came back and has worked constantly for the past three months! The auto electrician had not come across it before but thought that the dodgy battery may have been draining to much power from the alternator for the electric power steering system to work correctly.

Paddy D, January 2010

Got the same issue on our 2001 1.2 ELX.

Tried the battery disconnect to no avail. Going to take a better look at in daylight but suspect we're going to have to go down the route of paying 220 for a reconditioned one with a warranty and bodging it ourselves!

I spoke to a Fiat dealership and they want 564quid for the parts alone, let alone fitting. Funny old thing, they also recommended changing the whole steering column at the same time, then getting it all calibrated! Is it worth it on a car worth less than 500 notes, I suspect not!

Everyone is right though, this appears to be a common fault that they don't own up to! Type in "FIAT PUNTO POWER STEERING FAULT" in Google and you get 92000 hits! It's obviously been happening since the late 90s at least and I doubt no amount of letters will change their facist views on support for dodgy car manufacture!

Sam T, December 2009

My power steering has also failed on my punto. I took it to a garage and after running diagnostics on it said that the steering motor needed replacing not the full column.

I've been searching for a replacement motor online but I am a little confused. I can't find anywhere selling a steering motor only a unit or a pump. Is the motor different from the steering unit or pump? I would be grateful for any pointers. Thanks

Matt, November 2009

I have got the same problem with my FIAT PUNTO 1.2 W REG 2000, power steering stops working every then and now and when i switch off the engine and turn it on again it will start working again. What shall i do?

JUNI, November 2009

I bought my mk 2 Punto with the power steering already pooped and research saw a repair bill from Fiat in excess of £500. No way was I paying this so I researched the problem so maybe I could do it myself. Turns out the mk 2 punto has an electric motor (as opposed to p/s pump) which can be faulty. So, I located a replacement motor (mine was inclusive with an ECU) from the net and replaced it and whalah! the problem was fixed. £120 and 30mins work it cost me (unit was from breakers so was 2nd hand but works perfect tho). Best of all, the breakers guaranteed the item as well so I should now be safe. If you want to see how I did it I'll explain below.


Firstly, its important that the ECU number to which the electric motor is attached matches the donor (on ECU is 4 digit number - mine 6670). Replacing the unit is a piece of cake (socket set and allen key). The ECU and motor are placed by the steering column beneath the steering wheel. All you do is remove the plastic cover that goes underneath the s/w and the plastic tray between the s/w and the driver door. Bit fiddly but this should present the ECU and a silver barrel that's attached to it (p/s motor). With a bit of working around the motor should come free (I had to slightly loosen the four nuts holding the steering column to the dash to provide some room). Gently work out the three electrical attachments from the ECU and any other fiddly bits and you should have the unit free.

Then replace, reverse the above (ensuring the steering column bolts are tightened!), and you should be good to go.


Sounds daunting but if you take your time and ensure you understand all the steps you shouldn't have a problem.

Skred, October 2009

I have a 2000 W Reg 1.2 punto sport and my red steering light keeps coming on now and again, i am wondering if it is an electric fault as i think there is nothing wrong with the actual steering as it works fine most of the time.

Have you all had yours fixed and if so please let me know how?

Cheers

Spencer

Spencer, August 2009

I had problems with my Fiat Punto Mk2 04, changed the battery and the power steering failed as a result. I did check all the connections and fuses. The Fiat dealer in Dorset said that the unit needed complete replacement costing over £800. Used my local 'Grease Monkey' garage, found it was an earth problem, cost £62.85 inc Vat. SORTED !!! support your local grease monkey !

rjw365, August 2009

just recently put a new alternator on my fiat punto sporting 1.2 year 2000, i to have the common steering failure, i hav'nt got a steering warning light on the dash, but i have got the low battery light flashing on and of, its got a brand new battery on but i did let it drain compltetly flat when i was diagnosing my alternator problem, with everything on the car been electrical i think ive damaged the steering motor, will a completly flat battery cause this problem, i had to jump lead the car to get it started, the alternator is no sending the right voltage, can a completly drained batteryu still effect the electrics even thou the car is running

mark, April 2009

im having the exact same prob. warning light comes on steering fails turn off and back on did work for a while but not so much now, my local garage wants to charge me £600 + vat, i had previously had a problem with the engine management unit which was fixed (apparently) could it be connected

Tom, March 2009

I had the same fault on mine , turned out to be the gearbox speed sensor, changed it + it never did it since & that was 2 years ago or more :)

Dave, February 2009

i cannot believe that so many of us have had this problem with the electric power steering failure.
This cannot be right !!! nand needs sorting

jackie a, February 2009

I have had the same problem, tried the reset of the battery, tried cleaning it, replaced the battery which repaired the engine starting problem and temp. the power steering error! Local garage wont touch it now So I am going to try to sort it myself the motor and ecu are very easy to change with a 8mm spanner handy I have found a motor and ecu for £129 on ebay so hope this helps some people out!

Martin, January 2009

hi you could also try http://www.letstalkfiat.com they maybe able to help you out.

martin, January 2009

ive wrote to fiat about this problem i would appreciate if you did the same as i feel fiat have overlooked a big problem

natalie2306, January 2009

http://www.fiatforum.com/punto-guides/70703-punto-steering-column.html

Fiat tech, December 2008

i also have a 2001 1.2 punto and the power steering just stops and some days it will work i also have a 51 plate 1.2 punto and its miss fireing when i drive it and lack of power but if i sit there and reve it it seems fine and it dont tick over it just sounds like its miss fireing iv done the head gasket and its still the same

daz, September 2008

I have the same problem on my punto w reg year 2000
A mechanic friend said disconnect the battery leave it alone for about half an hour then reconnect.
Hopefully this should reset the ecu and cure the fault.

grover, May 2008

I have the same problem would be interested to know if you find a resolve?

Scott, May 2008