2001 Fiat Punto 1.2L Petrol · SJ51 VHD

The Punto Mk2 was one of the first mass-market cars to feature column-mounted Dualdrive electric power steering. The torque position sensors inside the steering column, or the solder joints on the integrated electric motor relay circuit board, suffer micro-fractures over time. This causes the steering assistance to cut out abruptly while driving, illuminating the red steering warning light on the instrument cluster and suddenly reverting the wheel to heavy manual steering.

On the 1.2-litre 8v FIRE petrol engine, the original composite cylinder head gasket is prone to thermal fatigue and corrosion around the coolant passages, typically at the cylinder-one end. If coolant changes have been neglected or if an air lock forms in the small radiator bleed screws, the gasket breaks down, allowing engine coolant into the combustion chambers or engine oil supply.

The factory-fitted front windscreen wiper mechanism uses lightweight pressed rods with nylon ball-and-cup sockets. Over time, road dirt ingresses into the cups and wears the plastic, causing the driver or passenger push-rod to pop off the motor crank pin. This instantly paralyses the wipers, often in heavy downpours or when clearing winter slush.