After refuelling my car today (with the correct fuel I might add!) my car suddenly struggled to move. Two lights have appeared on my dash board, namely The Engine Control System Failure(EOBD) light and the Power Steering failure light.

Over the last couple of weeks I have had a few problems starting the car in the morning (not afternoons though).

After the above lights appeared on the dashboard, my speedometer showed no reading at all (i.e. zero) when I was moving at about 10mph! It struggled to go back down to zero again when I was in stationary traffic on my way home. Accelerating is difficult and sluggish.

Any thoughts on what could be wrong?

Thanks.

Sounds like it could be an electrical power issue,

2 probable causes 1) The battery, 2) The alternator

Unfortunately no way of telling 100% from this side but chances are that with the lights on the dashboard it's very probably the alternator. It's not a bad price on the fiat punto. Probably around 60 for a reconditioned alternator and around £75 for the labour to fit.

It's not a big problem, but you may need both as when an alternator goes it usually drags the battery down with it.

All the best
Michael

Cheers for that. That was what I thought might be causing the problem.

Is it likely to be the ignition coils? I am not an expert, but I believe that these have been known to fail of Puntos (on reading other forums like the fiatforum)

What it be better to take it to a Fiat dealer or my independent dealer?

I wouldn't have thought it was those to be honest. It really does sound like an alternator, with the slow starts and it affecting the dashboard. it sounds more like a poor power source.

It will probably get better and worse until it eventually fails completely. If it was the ignition coils the problem would be constant and chances of them failing all at once are slim.

So 95% sure it's the alternator.

All the best

Michael

Thank You. Your help is much appreciated!

I will take it to my mechanic tomorrow and see what they say in regards to the problem.

if it's the alternator it is usually the battery light that appears usually diodes or brushes in alternator cause the dashlights to appear,firstly check the fan belt is tight and secondly make sure the alternator pulley is pulling in a straight line(could have collapsed bearings)you should hear if that had happened.

Hello, Once again thank you for all your help Michael.

I took my car to the mechanic who said the battery and alternator were fine. However, they were unable to explain what caused the two warning lights to appear on the dashboard. They disappeared! (But returned again today and disappeared again!!)
Interestingly, I think I now know the problem, which is apparently common to Fiat Puntos. It is related to the Vehicle Speed Sensor or the speed sensor wires, which if faulty can cause the speedometer to fail and two warning lights to appear (Engine Warning and Steering).

http://www.fiatforum.com/punto-guide...ng-column.html

Are these expensive to replace?