Northern Auto Tech - ECU and Blue & Me Repairs

Technical Newbie with a reversing Twin Air query!

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Technical Newbie with a reversing Twin Air query!

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500Kat

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Hi, new to the site (and to Fiat!) so wondered if anyone here could tell me if a 500 twin air should make what I can only describe as a 'light grinding' noise when reversing (both in a straight line and on a bend)?

I have taken her back to the car garage I purchased from as I was concerned the steering was faulty but, of course, they told me it's supposed to make the noise. I can't find the same model locally to test another car so really wanted to check with people who actually drive them!

The car is a 2011 model with fairly low mileage (19k). Hoping it's another quirk of this fab car but just want to ask the experts!!

Any help or guidance would be really gratefully received :)
 
Hi & welcome! I recall somebody having an identical issue some time back but can't remember what the outcome was, hopefully somebody will be along soon who remembers. In the meantime try an advanced search. Mine doesn't do it btw or at least I haven't noticed!
 
Certainly sounds a strange one. We had the steering motor replaced on our old POP, but we didn't notice any problems prior to a Fiat garage picking the issue up on diagnostics. Might not be related whatsoever. Was the vehicle bought from a Fiat garage? If so, have they tried to see if there is a fault diagnostically?
Edit: Our POP was a 2011 model, but built in November 2010.
 
is there any problems with it going in to any of the other gears?

it could be a selector problem?
 
I'd check the brakes first. It's not unknown for them to grind in one direction but less in the other.
 
UFI said:
I'd check the brakes first. It's not unknown for them to grind in one direction but less in the other.
Click to expand...

+1. It'll be the brakes. Light usage/low mileage means that the calipers are probably sticking slightly and need a good clean and grease. Nothing major or extraordinary.
 
My TA Lounge has made that noise from new, 3 years ago. I'd describe it as more of a whine, but "light grinding" is equally descriptive. The pitch doesnt change with speed, as it would with gear whine. Hasn't got any better or worse in 27,000 miles, so I assume it's a "design feature". No idea what causes it, though.
 
500Kat said:
Hi, new to the site (and to Fiat!) so wondered if anyone here could tell me if a 500 twin air should make what I can only describe as a 'light grinding' noise when reversing (both in a straight line and on a bend)?
Click to expand...

My 500C TwinAir used to do that as well when reversing out of my parking space from a cold start -- I recall there was a thread somewhere where a few other people mentioned experiencing something similar.

I haven't noticed it happening in the last few months, so maybe it only happens when it's brand new.

zanes said:
+1. It'll be the brakes. Light usage/low mileage means that the calipers are probably sticking slightly and need a good clean and grease. Nothing major or extraordinary.
Click to expand...

That sounds plausible, but why would it only happen when reversing? I've never had it happen when going forwards.
 
Last edited:
44sunsets said:
That sounds plausible, but why would it only happen when reversing? I've never had it happen when going forwards.
Click to expand...

As noted above, it's been reported several times (particularly prevalent on certain pandas I seem to remember, possibly 4x4s (though they might have rear disc brakes?)) on here. As to an explanation of the mechanism causing it I don't know.

My 500 had a slight grinding noise when going round bends- turned out to be slightly sticking calipers. I couldn't explain that either.
 
I've just picked up my Twinair and decided to try it to see whether I could replicate a grinding sound when reversing that you have described. I've now tried five times. No grinding noise at all....but the engine generally does have a 'growl'.

It is hard to 'compare' sounds in a chat room.

If you live in or near Gloucestershire I'm happy to compare 'notes' or reversing sounds if that helps in any way.
 
44sunsets said:
That sounds plausible, but why would it only happen when reversing? I've never had it happen when going forwards.
Click to expand...


disc brake pads tend to have "damping springs" around them,
.. people who install them wrongly DO have funny noises reported..so it adds-up that reversing the rotation ( going backwards) would have the same effect ;)

charlie
 
500Kat said:
Hi, new to the site (and to Fiat!) so wondered if anyone here could tell me if a 500 twin air should make what I can only describe as a 'light grinding' noise when reversing (both in a straight line and on a bend)?



I have taken her back to the car garage I purchased from as I was concerned the steering was faulty but, of course, they told me it's supposed to make the noise. I can't find the same model locally to test another car so really wanted to check with people who actually drive them!



The car is a 2011 model with fairly low mileage (19k). Hoping it's another quirk of this fab car but just want to ask the experts!!



Any help or guidance would be really gratefully received :)
Click to expand...


I purchased mine new and have now had it for 13 weeks. I can't say that I've noticed any strange noises whilst reversing. The Twin Air engine does have a distinct growl though ?
 
There's nothing in the steering to cause a grinding noise when reversing. As others have said it's the brakes, being that the brakes do most of their work in one direction the trailing edge of the pads will have a sharper edge than the leading edge so will cause a scraping noise
 
Thank you all so much for the replies :)

Struggled to describe the sound... Hubby says it's more of a hum/vibration though it doesn't happen every time I reverse which is why I wondered if it might not be simply a quirky noise of the car!

Front brake pads are new but started squeeling & due to be replaced this wk so I now have everything crossed that this cures it!
 
We had an odd sound when reversing on our "61" twin air, We have only had it 3 weeks and only got 14000 on the clock.

Garage replaced clutch, thrust bearing and flywheel. It is all sorted now.

It was a weird fault as there were no symptoms going forward, only reversing.
 
zanes said:
It'll be the brakes.
Click to expand...
No, it's the clutch! My previous 500 made this grinding sound when driving backwards and my current one does too. It may need some practice, but the sound can be influenced by subtle movements of the clutch pedal. Just fiddle a bit with the clutch pedal by moving it a bit in both directions when you hear the sound and you will find out what you need to do to make the sound disappear. What also helps to avoid the sound is not touching the accelerator pedal when driving backwards. Keep the revs low. Unfortunately it's hard to avoid the sound if the engine is cold, since then it runs 1500 rpm without even touching the accelerator pedal.
 
typecastboy said:
So it only does it when cold?
Click to expand...
That's not what I meant. After some practising, I'm now able to avoid the noise in most circumstances, but unfortunately not if the engine is cold, because of the high idle speed in that situation. However, it's possible to provoke the sound at any engine temperature.

typecastboy said:
So not a fault as such, just a quirk of the car?
Click to expand...
Probably that's an adequate description. Some dealers fix this by replacing the clutch, but often the complaint returns after some time. Therefore other dealers don't even consider fixing this.
 
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