Hello,

I am new on this forum and have regularly browsed the forum for advice .

I am having problems with a Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 8V I bought about 7 months ago (second hand 2009 approx 36,000km). I hope somebody can help me.

Broke down several times past December: car stalls - engine still runs but no possibility to engage the gears - err msg on dashboard <fuel cut-off> and <unavailable>.

Took car back to dealer who 'cleaned and re-routed' the CAN cables. Problem seemed to be solved until two days ago (about a month after repairs) when the problem reappeared. In the meantime I purchased a set of cables and the Multiecuscan software so I can do my own diagnostics. The errors in the multiecuscan seem once again to point to the CAN network and its cabling. Here are a few excerpts from the error messages from the different modules:

ECU: U0001 - C-CAN line error / U1700 - CAN network (NCM - NBC) / Error in communication between engine control unit and Body computer. Check CAN lines.
STEERING: U0001 - C-CAN line error / U1700 - Communic. with Body Computer (NBC)
GEARBOX: P0710 - Temperature (from CAN) / U1706 - CAN Network (NCR - NFR) / Error in communication between automatic transmission control unit and ABS/VDC brake system control unit. Check CAN lines.
ABS: U0001 - C-CAN line error / C1221 - Engine control (NCM) / The Engine Control Node fails to transmit data on CAN correctly.
DASHBOARD: U1700 - No Body Computer / U1701 - Engine control (NCM) / U1711 - NCR Node absent
BODY: U0019 - B-CAN line / The CAN data communication line (Controller Area Network) between different vehicle ECUs does not work correctly. Check the harness between the ECUs for opens, shorts and weak connections, and ripple free power and good ground supplies to the ECUs. / U1702 - Electric Steering (NGE) / U1701 - Engine control (NCM) / U1711 - Automatic Transmission (NCA-NCR) / U1706 - Brake system (NFR)

I compiled all the logs from the different modules in one txt file and attached it to this message.

In spite of these problems being intermittent it is really uncomfortable when I get stuck somewhere, usually in the middle of the road with no way of moving anywhere since the gear does not engage. So yesterday I decided to travel with my laptop and ELM cables hoping that I would be able to clear the error codes on the spot and get going again. I broke down once again but could not connect to the ECU while the fault was active and the car stalled. I gave up after more than an hour and got a lift back home. Later that evening (about 4hrs later) I went back to the car and this time I could get going although with a few error codes on the dashboard (EOBD light was on: engine control system failure). I reached home and scanned all the modules for error codes (see above).

My main question is: when the car stalls like that, can I use the Multiecuscan to clear codes and get going again? Or is there another way of 'resetting' the ECU?

So many random errors always leads to same root: electrical problems.

Check battery/alternator/earth cables. Every single one of them. Carefully.

Thanks. Car is at dealer now who seems to suspect the BCM. Will post progress.

Use bluetooth OBD unit and Android phone and Torque sw if all you want to do it clear the codes. far simpler and easier. If you buy the paid version of Torque (£2.50 I think) it gives a whole host of other services.

Don't have an Android phone. I use Multiecuscan to clear the codes.
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Just heard the car is ready for us again.
The dealer claims the problem has been narrowed down to one of two things or both (IPDM or power steering ECU). They have exchanged the power steering ECU with one from a vehicle that is not experiencing any problems to help isolate the problem. If the problem persists they claim we will have to replace the IPDM (Power Distribution Module).
I am very skeptical about this since there don't seem to be any clear errors on the steering ECU (see attached logs above).
Can't find the IPDM for a Fiat online, so does anybody know how much it costs?
And finally, I am desperate for tips how to get the vehicle moving again when we get this message <fuel cut-off> and can't engage the gears (car does start so I don't believe it is really a fuel cut-off).

I hear now from parts dealer in UK that what dealer calls IPDM would be the BCM (Body Control Module)

Mangoa said:

I hear now from parts dealer in UK that what dealer calls IPDM would be the BCM (Body Control Module)

Click to expand...

still worth checking all the connections,
common issue is damp in / around fusebox ( under hood / bonnet = engine area)

Charlie - Oxford

I agree,
if there is a bad ground or a bad power lead (corrosion) the power module cannot do it's job.
Also check/clean the fuse box and connections under bonnet.

Just collected the car from the dealer. They replaced the steering ECU with one from another car that does not have problems. According to them, if that doesn't help they will have to replace the BCM. This evening while I was doing a "scan DTC" with the MES suddenly the message "check transmission" appeared on the dashboard and then "fuel cut-off" and once again the car was in the same state: starts but no way to engage a gear.
So it seems the problem has not been solved.
The dealer stated that they cleaned and re-routed the CAN lines at a previous occasion. The problem disappeared for about a month and then it reappeared.
This car has had its dualogic transmission "rebuilt" in the past (previous owner). Could it be that this is again the cause of the problems?

Anybody knows what a BCM approx. costs in the UK?

Here is an update to my problem. The dealer changed the airbag unit and since then (about 4 weeks) I have not had the problem reoccurring. The error msg was apparently <fuel cut-off unavailable> not fuel <cut-off> as I read it. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

By the way, following the dealer's advice, I have not used the muliecuscan in case it would have an influence. I am dying to know if there are any CAN errors though.