Hot and Cold???

hi all,

I have had a weird little problem that I cannot work out and I wondered if anyone else might know what it is?

Basically yesterday afternoon was quite hot and I jumped in the car and it wouldn't start. key light went out and I could hear the fuel pump but nothing happened. The car had not been out since the day before.

The car had about a quarter of a tank of fuel and was parked on a slight and I do mean slight incline but still would not go. Come the following morning (today) and it started on the first turn of the key.

This is the second time this has happened and all I can think of either fuel evaporation or maybe electrical or something else???

Any help or advice would be welcome and please don't say its a Fiat and what do you expect!!!

With regards,

Paul

Hi Paul and a warm welcome to the forum.

It is difficult to diagnose without a little more info. Did it turn over and 'catch' but not fully start?

My gut feeling is that your immobiliser is playing around, have you had any work carried out recently?

Hi there,

No it didn't turn over at all when you turn the key there is nothing there just the usual lights on the dashboard. No work has been done recently but I am going to replace the front bumper as some idiot revereed into it and cracked it and they did a runner!!!

it didn't turn over, and just went "click" ?
Or did it try to turnover the engine?

Did all the dashlights go out or did they stay on when you turned the key?

Do you park in gear or handbrake only?

Just wondering if the startmotor/relay is on its way out or acting up...

If it's the starter motor you might here it spin but not engage. You could tray a jump start or hitting it with a hammer (the starter motor that is). Sometimes just bouncing on the front wing will release it.

There's probably a better more technical way of knowing.......

Hi all,

No clicks when the key is turned there is nothing. so I know its not the starter or the solenoid as when it does work they are fine and the car starts everytime.

When you turn the key for starting all the dash lights are as they should be and the key light does go out but when you turn the key to start the car thats when nothing happens

As I said it has only happened when its been a hot day and the fuel tank has been just over a quarter full. I have checked wires etc for breaks or loose connections and found nothing so far but it is driving me nuts!!!

Cheers.
Paul

I would say that it is either a loose earth or the bushes in the starter are on their way out.

As a start remove the battery terminals, give them a clean and re-greare, do the same for the earth terminals on the engine, body and gearbox then finally do the ones on the starter.

If that does not cure it than I would imagine you have a sticky starter (which usually means the bushes are worn).

Hth

Thanks for that I will check and slean all the terminals and earth points and see how it goes

With regards,
Paul

One thing is clear, it is nothing whatsoever to do with fuel or a hot day. You will not get fuel vapourisation with a cold engine no matter what the air temperature is.
This sound like an earth issue or at worst a bad connection at the ignition barrel end. Find the earth cable that runs from the engine block to the chassis/bulkhead (I cannot remember where it is!) and check for tightness/deterioration.

This might seem a little simple but have you tried turing the key back removing the key and reinserting it and attempting to restart the engine, I have noticed that sometimes my B wont start when I put the key in, I get all the normal dash lights and I have to return it to the off position then it will...guess its something to do with the electronics...

Nick

Nick that sounds more like the immobiliser is not switching off, when this happens does the little key symbol illuminate?