wifes mk2 punto has developed persistent misfire /cut out. dealer has had 2 attempts to repair so far under warranty, stripped engine adjusted valves, then replaced rev sensor ( they even managed to crash it during a test drive - shame it wasnt a write off). same fault is back yet AGAIN, even worse when wet. got AA out to it, eventually got it started firing on 2 cylinders, checked coil connections, all of a sudden back on 4 cylinders. (diagnostic report cylinder misfire) dealer has supposedly checked coils plugs etc already? any ideas??

Hi :wave:
Has it been back for an ECU re-programme? It sounds like what happened to mine.

wolfracepunto said:

Hi :wave:
Has it been back for an ECU re-programme? It sounds like what happened to mine.

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Dont think so - had an inkling it might be an ECU problem

The mentioned re-programme is to re-programme the coil drivers,sounds like yours might already be f****d.Check to see if you have a constant neg pulse at the coils when cranking,do this when its not running correctly to determine if ECU or HT circuit is at fault(bearing in mind safety precauctions when touching or going near the coils,disconnect them both!)

T14086 said:

The mentioned re-programme is to re-programme the coil drivers,sounds like yours might already be f****d.Check to see if you have a constant neg pulse at the coils when cranking,do this when its not running correctly to determine if ECU or HT circuit is at fault(bearing in mind safety precauctions when touching or going near the coils,disconnect them both!)

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When it broke down last week, AA bloke checked coils / voltage etc, could not find any obvious problem with it. Reckoned it was probably ECU sending duff signals. New ECU in order??

Yeah get it to the dealers whilst still in warranty. How come the AA didnt give you a tow?

new ecu is a lot of money to do a replace n see,
get someone to test it first like http://www.peacockandpurvey.co.uk/
www.codeman.org
http://www.the-ecu-doctor.co.uk/

If its under warranty it won't cost a penny

I got a recall letter telling me to take my car into the dealers to have the work done (shame id already broken down before that ) Didnt you get one sent?

Car is still driveable although very juddery at times due to the misfire - is going back into dealer next week. Guarantee soon as it starts raining though, it will eventually start cutting out, once it dies, its very difficult to get going again, seems to improve if left alone for an hour or so.

Havent had a recall letter from Fiat, still got 3 months left on my warranty. dealer has tried to fix this twice before with no real progress made. At least if i can go back armed with some back up i might get a result before warranty runs out

How did the AA guy check the coils? You can only check them correctly when they are under load!
Normally as far as punto's are concerned the roadside assistance services just tow them to nearest dealer for a ECU! The fault lies in the negative pulse from the ECU to the coil(s) even duff ECU's can still appear to work at times so you need to monitor the signal for at least a few minutes.
You say car is still driveable,on 2 cylinders! Just how bad is it running-have you checked the basics(lplugs/leads?)yet?

LOL you just wrote your last post as I was writing mine,it's under warranty as the fault was reported before the warranty period ends & will still be effective until it is fixed even if it takes months......lets not tempt fate eh

Think i have finally got this one sorted at last, although has taken the dealer three weeks of running various diagnostic tests to find the cause of the misfire. Seems to have been a problem with the fuel pump, now replaced (under warranty), which seems to have cured the misfire problem, engine runs much smoother now especially under load, and hasnt yet cut out, lets just hope it stays that way!

This car is unbelievable - i spoke to soon when i said it was ok, it has conked out yet again today, and is now on its way being towed back to the dealers by the AA (thereby lies another tale -read on) seems fuel system is yet again at fault (fault code P0170 fuel trim - lambda sensor??) this time, after the dealer spent 3 weeks treying to fix it.

The more worrying thing established today is the standard of the towing bracket fixing, which on route to the garage was ripped out of the front bumper whilst hooked up to the AA van. The entire bracket and hook was completely pulled off the chasis through the plastic bumper moulding. On closer inspection, the bracket was held on to the chassis by only 2 spot welds, both of which had been welded through the paint finish! Surely this must be a FIAT recall? as it is totally dangerous. It just makes me wonder what the rest of the welding quality is like on these cars.

Have had it with this car now, its just been one fault after another, am going to try and get an upgrade for a new one next week

I think your weak towing point might be a one off, mine has been fine and have never read/heard about them doing this!! Is the damage expensive and who would go about paying for it?

Sorry to hear about the problems, which 02 reg cars shouldnt have

Are you going for an upgraded Punto or a different car?

As the AA were towing it at the time, their insurers will have to pay for a complete new front bumper. Unfortunately the AA may start refusing to tow Punto's if this sort of thing can happen - if it had gone whilst being pulled onto the back of a trailer it could have easily killed someone. Luckily the car was stationary at a level roundabout when it went.

Will probably get a new Mk 3 Punto, dont believe they are all bad, except this one which appears to be totally jinxed!!