Hi all, new member here.
I had a quick look at the other threads for an answer to us without success.
Car is Grande Punto 1.2.
when car starts i need to keep the key turned fully in the ignition or the car dies, it won't restart unless i lock the car and unlock it again...then same story, engine will only stay running if i keep my hand on the key fully turned.

last couple of days it's been very intermittent with things (lights going on by themselves, battery dead etc), fingers crossed it's an easy fix and one of you guys (may) know what the issues is.

Thanks
Mark.

Markprovan said:

Hi all, new member here.
I had a quick look at the other threads for an answer to us without success.
Car is Grande Punto 1.2.
when car starts i need to keep the key turned fully in the ignition or the car dies, it won't restart unless i lock the car and unlock it again...then same story, engine will only stay running if i keep my hand on the key fully turned.

last couple of days it's been very intermittent with things (lights going on by themselves, battery dead etc), fingers crossed it's an easy fix and one of you guys (may) know what the issues is.

Thanks
Mark.

Click to expand...

Mark,
Punto's have electrical gremlins probably more than other cars. Interesting that you seem to have had a spate of them leading up to this last one.

Someone with more knowledge will be along soon but things to check...

1. Is battery actually charging when car is running. Get multimeter on it whilst engine off and on and see what it registers. Or get one of those battery checkers and use that to diagnose. Either the battery or the alternator. Did you replace the battery or just jump start/bump start it?

If battery is dead then it will impact a host of other electrics even though it starts the car etc. Any idea why battery went dead?

2. Earth straps are renown for being flaky after a few years. Many have replaced with new strap and have had no other problems.

3. Steering barrel electrical connections would be last thing to look at and probably the most expensive but lots to look at before then and would suggest that is very unlikely but you never know.

Are you a member of RAC/AA with at home? If so suggest getting them out to check battery and alternator which they can do easily and quickly and hopefully you can be pretty sure what they say is correct. If they discount battery, alternator, earth strap then get them to look at other areas.

Thanks for the quick reply KenMavor, I charged the battery last night as i thought this may have been the issue to start with, i'll stick a multimeter on it and see if that shows anything up but just seems strange that engine runs until i let go of the key and it dies and won't start again until i lock then unlock the car.
thanks again

Use some starting fluid or carburetor cleaner to see if that keeps the engine running after you release the key.. if it does even for a few seconds .. then it might be a indicator of low fuel pressure.
Best to have someone turning the key while you spray the cleaner somewhere in the intake.. ( like on the throttle body )

Just check it and post back