Hey all,

I have seen many posts relating to problems starting, but nothing that resembles my problem, therefore I have started a new thread in the hope that you can help as I have a Major problem with my car starting / not starting.....

Right, problem is that sometimes it doesnt start but I cant pin it down to anything as it's so inconsistent. For instance, it will start fine in the morning, I will drive it for a little while fine. Then when I try to start it again an hour later (or less) it doesnt start. It will turn over fine (new battery and leads and plugs) but doesnt want to fire up?

When it does this (after trying to start it loads of times), I can literally leave it for 1/2 an hour or so, come back to it and most times it starts fine:bang:

I called the AA out last week becasue after 9 attempts to start it ( it kept failing) I thought they could help. They arrived 45 minutes later and it started first time..no problems!!!

I am told it could be the ignition barrel (or something - sorry non technical) as it may not be reading the key, although I have tried the RED key on many occasions when this happens...doesnt help!

The key doesnt turn freely in the ignition (sticks a bit) so it may be that?

Any help would be greatly appreciated so I can get my baby back on the road with no problems

Cheers

Keith.

lambda sensor. if it always starts first thing on a morning then i'd defo say lambda sensor, its the most comon cause of warm start problems. AA man should know that.

Wow you sound confident

Could it still be this if it starts / doesnt start any time of the day? It's not always the morning...could start, couldnt start? The garages and AA guy say that it's difficult to diagnose the problem when it so inconsistent (not that confident in either of them)!

Cheers

Keith.

KRB said:

Could it still be this if it starts / doesnt start any time of the day? It's not always the morning...could start, couldnt start?

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maybe i misunderstood you.

if the car only has the starting problem when it has previously been run in the last few hours, then this could easily be a lambda problem.

if the car also refuses to start when it has not been used for several hours, then this is probably not a lambda problem.

a lambda fault will often cause warm start problems. when cold this does not happen because the lambda is ignored until it gets up to operating temperature.

best thing to do is disconnect your lambda next time it wont start, if it then starts you know the lambda is the problem.

Thanks, I'll try it and feedback the result.

I'm reluctant to buy a new barrel in case it's not the problem (quoted £300 +)....fingers crossed

Keith.

if the ignition barrel (aerial around it) was the problem the car would try to start (starter motor turns engine) but the orange key code light would remain on meaning the immob is not switching off. this is a fairly common problem, but very easy to spot thanks to the key code light.

Hi,

I can't remember if the orange key code stay's on though...? I can't remember seeing it in the past? I will double check later when it doesnt start!

If it is the barrel, and I buy a new one, I can get it fitted no problem but would I need to take it to a main dealer to have it programmed or could this be done at a local garage/ good electrician / or does anyone have a contact on the south coast?

Cheers

Keith.

you can fit it yourself no need for any programming. you dont need a new ignition barrel, just the loop aerial around it. any scrapyard bravo/brava/marea can provide the part, it will only cost a couple of pound. dont change it unless you have the key code light remaining illuminated and you have checked the power supply circuit for the immob. it is more common to find a fault in the circuit, such as a loose or corroded connector, in situations like this.

it may be useful to download the fiat manuals and look at the wiring diagram for the fiat code system.
download from http://www.babarmalik.com/ledmods.htm

Quick update...

The key code light is NOT remaining illuminated, so I will have to check the power supply circuit for the immob (God knows how I do this).

I have downloaded the manual you suggested, I now need to find the wiring diagram for Key Code System and take a look over the weekend.

Cheers for all your help so far

I will all updated on events over the weekend.

Cheers. Keith.

KRB said:

The key code light is NOT remaining illuminated, so I will have to check the power supply circuit for the immob (God knows how I do this).

Click to expand...

STOP!! its good if the key code light does not remain on.
if it stays on it means there is a fault. you dont have an immob fault, so you know your ignition barrel aerial cant be the problem

if the engine always starts first thing in the morning, and the problem only happens within a few hours of the car last been used, it suggest the lambda sensor is a possible cause.

another thing to consider is the main earth strap (going from gearbox to chassis). when this gets rusty it will have increased resistance, especially when it has been warmed up by a hot engine. if the starter motor turns slowly when the engine wont start it suggests the earth strap is a possible problem.

Not sure if you read earlier email but it doesnt always start in the mornings....can never tell if when it will / or wont start as it's so inconsistent!

Told you this was a major problem that I havent read before:bang:

I will carry on looking at the manual you suggested over the weekend and also the earth strap. Bl**dy hell...I hope one of these works as I'm getting fed up taking it to garages with no result and also sitting in the car waiting for it to start!

However, on a positive note I can cancel my AA cover and save myself some money as they never fix the car when they come out

Cheers.

KRB said:

Not sure if you read earlier email but it doesnt always start in the mornings....can never tell if when it will / or wont start as it's so inconsistent!

Click to expand...

sorry i forgot

well the fact that it can happen at any time is another clue, and it does rule out many things.

my money is on rpm sensor at the moment, but its hard to say. a diagnostic is your best option, although you shouldnt get your hopes up, intermittent faults often leave no fault codes

Any idea as to where can I find this rpm sensor?

Looking through the manual and it's a mine field

Thanks.

see the attached info.

you should definately do a resistance test on the sensor, as described in the attached info.