Hi all. Hope someone will be king enough to enlighten me!....

Was driving my 99 Fiat Bravo sx80 1.2 16v when I took a sharp corner. Then engine stalled. Tried to restart it while coasting to a stop but no luck. When I tried the ignition again the dash lights came up as normal and the starter motor spins but engine doesnt turn at all. Car wont bump start either. Checked oil and was a bit low. Cam belt in tact. Battery terminals and earth are ok. Starter motor was replaced two years ago.

I have no idea whats happened. Starter motor spins as if not in fly wheel but when I turn ignition while in gear car lurches forward.

Please help!

it sounds as though you've lost compression. it can make the engine turn over so easily that you think it isnt turning over, but it is (as proven by the lurching forward). its possible that the timing belt has slipped, or the head gasket has majorly blown out. i'd do a compression test.

last time some one told me this, they had bent all 16 of there valves due to a belt failuer. i hope its something silly mate

If the engine isnt turning at all it could be the ring gear or the starter gear chewed up if you tried to start it again while still coasting.

it would be interesting to get a sound clip/vid of the car turning over, it anything like this (i know its a coupe)

Yazza54 said:

If the engine isnt turning at all it could be the ring gear or the starter gear chewed up if you tried to start it again while still coasting.

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it lurches forward in gear so we know the crank is turning ok.

As above.
Also you should see if you have the cam cover off if the engine is spinning via the starter motor as the belt will spin. If not it could be a broken crank.
Any loud bangs before it coasted. Otherwise it can only be a result of incorrect timing sheered teeth off the belt. or maybe a gaskett blown between a couple of cylinders..