Hi,
I have a 04 sporting active and all of a sudden she decided that she didn't want to start up. I took her to the local garage last week, and after lots of tests etc. they came back to me saying that they can't find anything wrong at all, apart from it will not start up, it will start eventually after playing around, it'll sound really ropey for around 15-20 seconds then run perfect. Until you turn her off and leave until the engine goes cold, then she won't start again.. Has anyone else had this problem??

lol
"I took her to the local garage last week, and after lots of tests etc. they came back to me saying that they can't find anything wrong at all, apart from it will not start up"

I think that is the best quote I have seen for a long long time. A quality garage.
I also wish you luck in fixing the issue which by it's nature is virtually impossible on line.
I presume also that the 'garage' did a full diagnostic check ?, if not, that is the first step.

Chris6911 said:

Hi,
I have a 04 sporting active and all of a sudden she decided that she didn't want to start up. I took her to the local garage last week, and after lots of tests etc. they came back to me saying that they can't find anything wrong at all, apart from it will not start up, it will start eventually after playing around, it'll sound really ropey for around 15-20 seconds then run perfect. Until you turn her off and leave until the engine goes cold, then she won't start again.. Has anyone else had this problem??

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Hi,
not exactly expert are they

chances are the engines control unit (ECU) is not getting / seeing a temperature reading.. so doesn't add extra fuel to run well at lower temps,

hence the cough + splutter for a few seconds.
does it drive fine one once warm..??

using a computer to look at data is the best bet,
Charlie - Oxford

Hi Charlie,

Once it starts running, the car is fine, it gets up to temperature fine and starts perfectly, it is only when the engines cold it doesn't seem to want to start. The garage have checked the usual, the ecu and everything else related to the engine. Nothing seems to be wrong apart from the not starting up "cold" ?

Chris6911 said:

Hi Charlie,

Once it starts running, the car is fine, it gets up to temperature fine and starts perfectly, it is only when the engines cold it doesn't seem to want to start. The garage have checked the usual, the ecu and everything else related to the engine. Nothing seems to be wrong apart from the not starting up "cold" ?

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The 'garage' do not know what they are doing. Take it to someone with diagnostic facilities.

I'm getting that feeling to be honest, they had the car for a week and haven't been able to sort it out ?
There's a place 15 mile down the road who could hopefully be of some use. Thanks anyway though

Chris6911 said:

I'm getting that feeling to be honest, they had the car for a week and haven't been able to sort it out ?
There's a place 15 mile down the road who could hopefully be of some use. Thanks anyway though

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where is the car..? somebody may be local enough to scan for errors,

Charlie - Oxford

Chris6911 said:

Hi,
it will start eventually after playing around

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Do you mean something more by that than just you repeatedly operating the starter?

Does it take a similar number of turns of the engine before it starts?

there's a performance garage near Cambridge, I've heard is pretty good at diagnostics and does a lot of remapping etc, where I live there is basically a few dodgy looking garages and the RAC approved one I use and can't find any problem 0.o
Mind I have noticed the clutch seems a lot stiffer than it was when I dropped the car off... I don't think I'm going to use them again, as there has been a few things that have "arisen" after picking the car up from there :/

If you can use it, get a copy of multiecuscan and an interface.
http://www.multiecuscan.com/
Or like Charlie says, see if a member near you will scan it for you.

judderbar said:

Do you mean something more by that than just you repeatedly operating the starter?

Does it take a similar number of turns of the engine before it starts?

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The starter kicks in, turns the engine over, but it will not fire up, I've got it going a few times eventually, but there's not really any specific pattern to it finally bursting into life.

The garage checked the obvious things, fuel, spark, compression etc, checked the ecu, hooked up a load of noid lights, checked the looms and sensors, and couldn't find anything wrong with the car, they got it going eventually and it now kind of runs, but it sounds rather ropey. ?

Chris6911 said:

The starter kicks in, turns the engine over, but it will not fire up, I've got it going a few times eventually, but there's not really any specific pattern to it finally bursting into life.

The garage checked the obvious things, fuel, spark, compression etc, checked the ecu, hooked up a load of noid lights, checked the looms and sensors, and couldn't find anything wrong with the car, they got it going eventually and it now kind of runs, but it sounds rather ropey. ?

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The garage should have run a system diagnostic first. Not bugger about with the other things. See what fault codes are there. They probably havent even got the appropriate diagnostic equipment.

if your near Eastbourne area, I have software and cables happy to have a look for you

Chris6911 said:

The starter kicks in, turns the engine over, but it will not fire up, I've got it going a few times eventually, but there's not really any specific pattern to it finally bursting into life.

The garage checked the obvious things, fuel, spark, compression etc, checked the ecu, hooked up a load of noid lights, checked the looms and sensors, and couldn't find anything wrong with the car, they got it going eventually and it now kind of runs, but it sounds rather ropey. ?

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When you turn the ignition on does the temperature gauge rise to the first mark on the scale?

You should ask them what they have changed to cause it to run badly whereas before it ran perfectly once started.

judderbar said:

When you turn the ignition on does the temperature gauge rise to the first mark on the scale?

You should ask them what they have changed to cause it to run badly whereas before it ran perfectly once started.

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That's a good question, I can't say I've checked that yet, I know the speedo, fuel gauge and Rev counter "bounce" to the first position on the scale when you first turn the key, can't say I've noticed the temp gauge move. I'll check that and let you know

Did you actualy ask the garage if they Read the car for code's. ?
The garage has been slated here..but unlike most garages that get slated..
theres been no mention of Parts Roulette,


I'd go back and ask what checks they did,

oldhammer said:

Did you actualy ask the garage if they Read the car for code's. ?
The garage has been slated here..but unlike most garages that get slated..
theres been no mention of Parts Roulette,


I'd go back and ask what checks they did,

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I had "the guy down the road" (petrolhead) plug it into his reader after I spent almost an hour getting her running again, it came up with random cylinder misfire p0300 and P0500 speed sensorA.

The garage didn't seem bothered what so ever when I asked about the codes I'm never going back there again that's for sure!

Chris6911 said:

I had "the guy down the road" (petrolhead) plug it into his reader after I spent almost an hour getting her running again, it came up with random cylinder misfire p0300 and P0500 speed sensorA.

The garage didn't seem bothered what so ever when I asked about the codes I'm never going back there again that's for sure!

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Hi, Re Miss-fire.. best bet is check the HT lead's..they are a none-service item but they do break-down with Age-Heat.
so its worth checking them out.. /having a look for Arc's


With this being a 16v. you wouid have to remove Airbox. and start it up in the Dark...if you see any..little sparks you need new lead's.. don't touch the ht leads with the engine running.,


your man at the Garage might not be well up on fiat's..


there is Worse'r garages out there...most chaps that don't know a lot about cars..end up paying for parts they don't need. (part's Roulette.)