Own a 2014 Fiat 500. Lunchtime was at bottom of a hill, not with handbrake on, nor in Neutral as S/S often doesn't work. Often cannot switch S/S off in any case! So lights changed, released clutch and brake, foot on accelerator, but car would hardly move. Had my foot to the floor, people behind me getting irate etc. Turned off ignition, tried to turn S/S off to help the engine behave normally, still moved like a snail. Had to put Hazard light on and keep driving at the slowest pace. On flat road surface now, but still took a few mins.before I could drive normally. If this happens again, should I try something else to get out of this situation? Or is what I did, all I could do?
Hasten to add, I have only been doing short distances lately which explains why the battery light and S/S unavailable lights occur, but regardless the car should move, right?? Any advice please.

Did the car drive "normally " but very slowly? Is it normal for the battery light to be on? All my past cars it indicates no charging? Daft question how much fuel was in? It's certainly not normal and I'm wondering if the car went into limp mode or safe mode which severely reduces power.

Hi John, Yes it drove 'normally' albeit deathly slow. I believe that if the S/S is not operate as in when it is 3deg.or less both the S/S symbol and battery lights come on, and also sometimes when temp.is higher, but not enough umph perhaps in battery for it to operate. Plenty of fuel in the car, John. And yes! it felt like limp mode, question is why?

Personally, whilst we can all sit here and give considered armchair advice, from a saftey perspective, I'd get the car into your nearest Fiat dealership for fault diagnosis. Is this car still under warranty, i.e. 3rd year dealership warranty? If so, take advantage of it and get the car looked as asap.

Okay, Frupi, thank you. And yes it is still under warranty.

Good good Stel, undoubtedly the best course of action. When was the car last serviced and indeed what engine does this car have?

Hi,
something is amiss there,

should be simple for any competent garage, so a FIAT dealer under warranty should be a breeze,
do let us know what the outcome is,
Charlie

It is a 1.2S Frumpi. Was serviced when I purchased it last October from Warrington Motors, as opposed to a private sale.

Hi Varesecrazy, Certainly is something amiss, frightened me at the time! Not sure I have your confidence as upon telephoning Fiat Dealer was told they would check the diagnostics but no guarantee that it will be fixed, and could happen again. What the.....
Just adds to my feeling of stress. Cannot get it booked in until Friday, and yes, I will let you know what the outcome is.

To Clarify, when I tried to drive off, having waited at traffic lights (whilst in 1st gear, not using S/S that is). The car did move, but ridiculously slow (literally snail's pace) like it wasn't getting enough oxygen. Stayed that way for about 3 or 4 mins. before it picked up speed and I was able to drive normally. It is low mileage only 11700 miles on the clock, if that bears any relevance.

Get it nice and warm, then take it out and thrash it mercilessly for at least an hour.

Cheers

D

rallycinq said:

Get it nice and warm, then take it out and thrash it mercilessly for at least an hour.

Cheers

D

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Not a bad idea, Rallycinq! if the Fiat Dealership Repairs come back with 'a blank' as to my car's behaviour, might just take your advice. Thank you

rallycinq said:

Get it nice and warm, then take it out and thrash it mercilessly for at least an hour.

Cheers

D

Click to expand...

Ah, the ol' Italian tune up!

Stel2010 said:

Not a bad idea, Rallycinq! if the Fiat Dealership Repairs come back with 'a blank' as to my car's behaviour, might just take your advice. Thank you

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Good luck with it - hopefully the dealership can come up with something decent. If you do decide to do this though, pick a quiet time of day and take someone with you!

rallycinq said:

Get it nice and warm, then take it out and thrash it mercilessly for at least an hour.

Click to expand...

Be careful. It could very well be going into limp mode to protect the engine, in which case driving hard might cause permanent damage.

The cause needs to be found and corrected before doing this.

Personally, I'd want to take the dealer out and thrash them mercilessly for at least an hour, but that's not permitted in a civilised society .

If it happens again I'd suggest a key off and restart to reset the computer, could just be one of those software bugs.

My Girlfriends car did the exact same thing, it was because I had stretched out and accidentally kicked a connection off on the passenger side. Did you have have a passenger at the time?

Look in the passenger footwell for anything disconnected, if you don't see anything move the throttle with your hand, look for movement in the passenger footwell and check any cables/sensors around it, try taking them out and giving them a wiggle.

I think I had basically disconnected the TPS.

Noxide said:

Ah, the ol' Italian tune up!



Good luck with it - hopefully the dealership can come up with something decent. If you do decide to do this though, pick a quiet time of day and take someone with you!

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Thanks for your concern and advice Noxide

jrkitching said:

Be careful. It could very well be going into limp mode to protect the engine, in which case driving hard might cause permanent damage.

The cause needs to be found and corrected before doing this.

Personally, I'd want to take the dealer out and thrash them mercilessly for at least an hour, but that's not permitted in a civilised society .

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Yes! wouldn't that be great, (jrkitching) if only it were not classified as being uncivilised. Thank you for your advice re the cause needs to be found and corrected before any other action taken. Taking it in tomorrow early, will let everyone know what the mechanics say. Everyone's help advice and concern is greatly appreciated.

chris red said:

My Girlfriends car did the exact same thing, it was because I had stretched out and accidentally kicked a connection off on the passenger side. Did you have have a passenger at the time?

Look in the passenger footwell for anything disconnected, if you don't see anything move the throttle with your hand, look for movement in the passenger footwell and check any cables/sensors around it, try taking them out and giving them a wiggle.

I think I had basically disconnected the TPS.

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No passenger at the time, Chris, but appreciate your suggestions and will investigate same re cables and sensors. Thank you

varesecrazy said:

Hi,
something is amiss there,

should be simple for any competent garage, so a FIAT dealer under warranty should be a breeze,
do let us know what the outcome is,
Charlie

Click to expand...

Mini update. Service department just rang. Said that my car 'had gone into limp mode'. By that I assume whilst the Mechanic was doing a diagnostic test, it went into limp mode. Cannot fix it today, so have to wait until Monday for them to run various tests. At least they will believe me when I told them that is the problem to solve! LOL