Can you help me identify this problem?

Hi,

Back in July, I was driving home to Newcastle from Hertfordshire.
The Multipla (00 X on 73k) felt like it was losing some power whenever I changed gear, which worried me. I pulled over in a little chef and stopped, after which it refused to start.

I called the RAC who took an hour to come - and during the wait the car started and was fine. The RAC guy could find no problem, and we got home OK.

I read somewhere that this might be the Lambda sensor, so we took the car into Gainmanor Fiat in North Shields as it was due an MOT anyway. They fleeced me for a new Timing Belt, some suspension, tyres, exhaust etc - but couldn't get hold of a Lambda sensor apparently, so they cleaned it an put it back in. Their system diagnostics could find no problems at all. This all cost me £1200

The car then stalled a few weeks late in Newcastle. When I started it, it was very underpowered feeling like it was stalling constantly and eventually it died, and it looked like the batter was gone. The RAC came and checked the batter which according ot them was fine. They did a jump-start which worked (and which should make no difference with a good battery to my understanding) and took me to a nearby garage where I got a new battery put in anyway. (The garage's own sensor showed that the battery was unservicable) The garage also said that in their opinion, the alternator seemed OK.

The car then broke down again yesterday after a couple of hours parked up in a nunderground city centre car park. It felt like it wanted to stall as soon as I started it, and I drove around the car park until it felty better, and managed to leave the place - but it broke down at a nearby junction. This time, it would turn but not start and I thought I detected a slight burning smell. A Taxi gave me a jump start which made all seem OK again, and I was able to get home - the car is runing as of now.

I really don't want to go back the the Fiat dealer which charged me a grand if I can help it, and their diagnostics found no problems last time - but what else can I do? What could this problem be? I have a few candidates:

1) The alternator is actually dodgy

2) It is the lambda sensor

3) It is a problem with my starter motor (it is vaguely reminiscent of a problem I had with an old Lada years ago, which turned out to be this.)

4) Some other option

5) a A combination of some or all of the above

I have also seen erferences to the rc valve, TDC sensor, and RPM (crank sensor)

Can anyone offer me suggestions?

Thanks

Hi Dave,

I'd take it to an autoelectrician rather than FIAT as it sounds like something that might take some tracing.

Where have you been distantdave,you not posted on here for 2 years!

Anyway,my advice is to find another dealer you are more comftable/trusting with
as examiner is a very powerful diagnostic tool in the right hands...I would be looking to pay around a hours diagnostic to pinpoint the fault.

From what you say I suspect 2 faults,making it more confusing to diagnose.

HI, I may be a bit late here but I recently had a different problem with my 1.9JTD and during the diagnosis the mechanic told me that the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve was throwing up a fault too. He wondered if the engine was rough and underpowered because if this valve was faulty those would be the symptoms.
Just a thought