Fiat Punto

[rach912]

I have a N reg Fiat Punto S diesel. Today as I was driving the power steering suddenly just went. The battery light came on but nothing else has gone and all the fluid levels are correct. The fan belt last week was sqeeling - could this have something to do with it. Where should I look for a problem?

Help is desperately needed, any advice would be grateful.

[Skids]

It sounds like the electrics went off for some reason and the engine stalled, this would cause the battery light to come on, the power steering to become heavy and the brakes to become very stiff, and obviously you couldn't accelerate.  If this is the case it'll be worth your while waiting to see if this happens again otherwise you may be chasing a problem that doesn't exist.  Cars haven't been made with belt driven fans for a long time, they're electric nowadays, but the slipping belt is probably the alternator belt.  If this slips its normally because the alternator isn't pulling it tight enough.  If the belt is loose enough to let the alternator stop while the engine is on this may be the cause of your engine cut-out.

[v64paul]

did the engine stop? if it did'nt then the belt that drives the alternator and the power steering pump has probably given up (hence the squealing)

[rach912]

No the engine did not cut out, all that seemed affected was the power steering

[KebabMeister]

Little confused when you say 'but nothing else has gone'?

Have you checked the alternator belt (fan belt)?  It sounds like the alternator belt and the power steering pump share the same belt.  If it was to go too loose or snap then you'd lose power steering and the battery light would illuminate because it's not charging the battery.  Have a look!

[rach912]

when I say nothing else has gone I mean everything else is working fine despite the battery light being on, the car is starting fine, lights working etc, it's just the power steering

[v64paul]

i agree with the meister. everything else is working fine but only because you have an extremely good battery. it has to be a belt problem