Hi, I'm new here and like everyone else with a certain little fiat I have a bit of a problem.

The GF has a 96 Soleil which is a carb 899cc, we have had it for 3 years and done about 40000 in it. I thought it was time for a change so we looked at everything but she has decided to keep the Cinq. So time to spend some time and money on it.

It starts fine from cold, apart from the standard rattle, but if you stop and let it cool for a little while it will not go again. Doesnt even fire. You usually have to sit and try every few minutes for about 15 minutes. Strange thing is it will always go with a push!!!

So far i have fitted;
1 new coil. need to do the other i guess
new plugs
new leads
new fuel filter.

Wondering whether anyone else has found this or got some ideas. Got plenty of other questions too, but have also solved some too.

If you see a silver Cinq Soleil with Abarth alloys racing along between Pontefract and Leeds give it a wave. (or a push if its stopped)

Cheers

sounds like you could be suffering from a fuel vapour lock,although fixit or someone will give a more informed response.

The Fiat Cinquecento
Fun While It Runs

Tis not a carb, tis single point injection.

Sounds like one of the sensors has Failed Under Continuous Testing.

When cold the injection ignores some of them, as soon as its a bit warm, they are brought back into the equation.

Could even be a loose earth.

Cheers

D

Thanks, will have a good look around it once the car it st on the drive and it isnt -20C outside.

Will let you know what i find.

Still got the problem.
Thinking it could be one of the following,

-ECU engine temperature sender. Where is it? are they cheap?

-The motor inside the throttle body that gives it more fuel for starting. I can hear it making a noise but cant see anything moving.

-Someone mentioned a MAP sensor on another post, could it be this?

Very tempted with the Schumacher Seicento on ebay at the moment, 2650 with 3 hours to go!

If you can arrange it, next time it happens, keep it turning over, remember no throttle, for a minute. Then quickly whip out a spark plug. If its wet, then it is an ignition problem, if its dry its fuel. OR. when it happens, take the spare spark plug that you cunningly concealed in the door pocket and attach to one of the leads and position so that the bottom end can earth against the block. Turn the engine over while looking at the plug and see it it sparks.

Report back please

cheers

D

Car is still going!!

Had the MOT recently and apart from needing some brake pipes it was fine. And it has been starting fine.
Until last night when the old problem re-occured.
Also today the fuel injector light came on intermittently.

May be totally unrelated problems as it hasnt been starting right for a couple of years.

Do these symptoms point toward the MAP sensor now or could it just as likely be the lambda sensor? On the 899 is the MAP behind the ECU?

Seems to be sparking fine, although eratic to start with and then quite weak.

Problem is I am rarely there when it wont go. Gave it a good run to birmingham and back a couple of weekends ago 80-85mph all the way with no complaints, but it started fine over the whole weekend.

Thanks

Definately not the MAP tube.

Will keep looking.

Let me try and get this right. Its OK when you are driving it, but not when someone else is driving it.

Does it do a lot of short journeys when you are not driving it?

Does this performance change happen when it is either wetter or drier than when it runs OK?

Look forward to the next exciting chapter

Cheers

D

Grumpy old git going fast downhill rather than downhill fast!!

The car spent the whole of last tuesday with the injector light on, so booked it into a diagnostic with fiat.

They have said it is a faulty map sensor. So instead of forking out the 65 quid straight away i will have a good look at what is on the car.

Treated it to a new clutch cable aswell while i was there.