Hi guys, wonder if anyone can help. My punto (1.2 8v 04 plate) suddenly died this eve and wouldn't re-start. It has a new battery so the starter turns over okay but it no longer starts and the ignition warning light stays on.

Initially the problem started earlier in the week when driving to work. The engine kind of missed a beat followed by the ignition warning light coming on but it continued until I reached work okay. After switching it off, I tried restarting and it wouldn't. As described above the starter turned over but it remained dead. I left if for five minutes and tried again but this time it started. On the return journey home it started okay and ran fine albeit with the same warning light on and the engine skipped a beat once again. It got me home though.

This eve I tried to use it again - it started okay this time but stalled almost immediately on moving and now it's won't start at all. Looks like it died before I could get it to someone who could help.

Any help or pointers most appreciated. Thanks.

Hi.
Best option would be to have the car read for fault codes..failing that you would just end up with a load of messing and a game of parts roullete..
Post your location..one of us may help with code reading..we are a friendly bunch

Hi,
Thanks Oldhammer. I'm North Manchester, Radcliffe to be exact. Code reading? I take it that's IT stuff? I'd appreciate any help as I haven't a clue when it comes to that kind of fault finding.

fcumick said:

Hi,
Thanks Oldhammer. I'm North Manchester, Radcliffe to be exact. Code reading? I take it that's IT stuff? I'd appreciate any help as I haven't a clue when it comes to that kind of fault finding.

Click to expand...

Hi.

there's a connector in with the drivers knee fusebox,
plug a basic reader into that, and it'll give out fault codes from the engine ECU

basics 1st though,
have you tried the spare key..?? there's a chip in each key - if it dies then car stops- immobiliser.


when you turn the key does anything change.. lights dip, etc..??

could be the earth cable has failed.. try a jumplead from battery negative (BLACK) to the engine head . exhaust manifold,

Charlie

Have you got a laptop..
I've got diag leads but my laptop is fubard

When ignition is on, most of the warning lights should extinguish after a few seconds. Does the key stay lit? This would show if the computer has given up on the key code chip.

Might not be electrical.
Has the cambelt broken? You should be able to see a bit of it on the bottom pulley if you grovel underneath.

Hi old hammer yes I possess a laptop.

Portland Bill, varsecrazy, thanks for your responses guys. My car was modified before I bought it so it only has ordinary keys and an alternative alarm system/immobiliser installed - it had a reconditioned engine fitted before I bought it so it was probably modified when that was done - the key code seems to have been removed. I've never had problems with the security system when I've done anything on the car before that's involved disconnecting the battery - though I'm not sure whether this will include the ignition system. Incidentally, the only light that remains 'on' on the dashboard is the ignition warning light.

Ignition warning light is actually battery charge light. This illuminates when the battery is not being charged.
Once all the systems have self-checked, before the engine is started, you should be looking at the oil pressure light, the battery charge light and the handbrake/brake failure light. I'd also expect the engine management light, but that may be disabled on yours.
Battery light being on shouldn't be a problem as battery isn't charging until engine running.

My guess is the aftermarket immobiliser has done just that. Could be difficult to unravel, unless you were given diagrams and instructions on how to remove it?

portland_bill said:

Ignition warning light is actually battery charge light. This illuminates when the battery is not being charged.
Once all the systems have self-checked, before the engine is started, you should be looking at the oil pressure light, the battery charge light and the handbrake/brake failure light. I'd also expect the engine management light, but that may be disabled on yours.
Battery light being on shouldn't be a problem as battery isn't charging until engine running.

My guess is the aftermarket immobiliser has done just that. Could be difficult to unravel, unless you were given diagrams and instructions on how to remove it?

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EEK! wrong light - I just double checked the handbook - I must have been asleep the last time I looked - It's actually the EOBD light that stays alight. This here



So I'm assuming it's either a fault in the ignition system or perhaps the immobiliser? If it was the onboard Computer chip surely nothing would happen, not even the starter motor?

Apologies for being a rank amateur!

Talk to Oldhammer, and read the codes. Then we'll have a better idea how to proceed.

If the immobiliser has given up, engine will still crank, but won't fire. Do you have the spare key? Try that. If chip gives up in main key, spare should still work. If you've only got one key, it gets difficult as you need the full set of keys and computers from a scrappy, have a search for other such threads, there are a few.

Good luck

Thanks Portland Bill.

I can code read it for you...
But I'm busy ATM during the day..so it will be in the evening I've time .

Let us know if needed.