Grande Punto idling

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Grande Punto idling

Paulc5060

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hi all
my fiat Punto Grande 1.3 mulitjet when I start the car from cold idling is fine
if I stop the car for 10 mins and come back and start it the idling drops off /up and down for a bit than goes back to normal any help ?
 
This is happening when it's cold as well could this be the maf sensor?
 
if I stop the car for 10 mins ...

A problem with a maf can indeed cause erratic idling, engine hesitation, lack of power and and excessive fuel consumption.

However, before you rush off and buy a replacement maf try cleaning the old one. DON'T use carburettor cleaner on any plastic parts.

Be aware that a MAF can be a result, not a cause... The MAF can 'play up' as a result of something wrong elsewhere - such as an air leak/vacuum leak.

Maybe before you try anything else.. first try cleaning the stepper motor .. it's an air idle/bypass valve. It may be sticking.
If you can, get any error codes read just to rule out things like the lambda sensor. As a very general rule of thumb - and I mean basic - if your car is stalling it may not be the MAF
 
Hi thanks for your reply we're is the stepper motor if you can help me find this that would be great also what should I clean the maf sensor with thank you so much for your reply.
Thanks
Paul
 
we're is the stepper motor

Here's a link to Ebay, with images of a stepper motor.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...TRS0&_nkw=punto+grande+stepper+motor&_sacat=0

You'll find it on the inlet manifold/throttle body area. It has an electrical connector.

Carb cleaner eats plastic .. so don't spray it on plastic. You can use household products such as white spirit and turpentine/brushwash to clean things out .. the lens/optic in the maf .. use cotton wool or a very soft tissue
 
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This is a multijet deisel not petrol no throttle body ?
Thanks
Paul
 
So have I got this wrong is there a stepper sensor on a1.3 diesel thanks
Please help
 
There is no throttle body or idle stepper motor on a diesel.
 
It's my mistake... I thought it was a petrol engine
Don't worry I think we all slip up occasionally, I know I do, good that we are a community and have several sets of eyes etc

Hope that's not insufferably "go team"?
 
Don't ignore the MAF though... symptoms fit pretty well.
Try cleaning the electrical contacts with proper contact cleaner as a first step. Fixed our multijet when it had a similar problem.
If no improvement search the forum for instructions on how to clean the MAF itself.
Either way, get any problem codes read before spending money (except proper contact cleaner - reckon you'll need that anyway with a Panda. Try to avoid standard WD40 as it leaves residue on contacts which can attract dirt. They do make a good specialist contact cleaner, as do others)
 
CRC contact cleaner as used in electronics works a treat...

BRs, Bernie
 
Hi all thanks for your replys egr valve as been cleaned so don't think it's that it's doing it in the mornings on first start and when you leave it and go back and start it ,
Will try and give the mfa a good clean and see what happens .
 
Be carefull with the MAF, it's very sensible ! Just spray on the thin internal wires, don't try to brush or touch them and don't try to open the unit ! While you are at cleaning, do the MAP as well, it is located at the back of the intake manifold, you'll need a torx bit (one screw), disconnect (lift the clip first and pull), the MAP measure the Manifold Absolute Pressure and also the air intake temperature and can become crappy with the EGR gases...

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You understand, or better, fix your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and make us feel helpy ;-)
 
Thanks can you tell me how does the car tick over is it the maf sensor that controls the idle ?
Thanks
Paul
 
Unfortunately it is not that straightforward.
(Very simplified) The ECU controls idling (and pretty much everything else) by using readings from a number of sensors, and then calculating what adjustments to make to achieve the required function.
When an unexpected condition occurs it can cause fluctuation in engine revs, warning lights or shutdown, (any, all or others) depending on what the error is.
Any of the sensors can potentially fail in a number of ways, along with other factors such as voltage fluctuation (bad connectors, failing battery etc.)
Some failures can be fairly easy to identify just by sight or sound, but most require more information to diagnose.
The ECU logs problem codes every time it comes across something which is unexpected, and these should be read using an OBD reader (MultiECUScan is spectacularly good for this on Fiats)
Checking out the common issues (poor connections, loose connectors, leaks, battery etc.) is a good first step if you don't have a reader, but reading the logged codes is almost always the best next step.

The information from the ECU then should be properly understood before any parts are changed. The important part of that is understanding what caused the codes - for example a pressure differental between sensors could be a failed sensor, but it could also be a split pipe, loose clamp or bad connector. Decent mechanics will look at the surrounding areas and investigate properly.
Not-so-good ones will start swapping parts straight away.
 
Thanks for the reply will have a look around the car first and clean the connections , as for codes if the sensors was a problem would the engine malfunction light come on .
Thanks
Paul
 
It's not that simple .

In an ideal world the ECU would be able to detect every way in which a sensor can fail and then set a fault code and turn on check engine light.

In the real world sensors can go bad without setting a fault code.
 
Should I get a code reader I don't won't to pay to much for 1 ?
Thanks
Paul
 
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