It's a standard EOBD socket on the body computer fuse box panel.

On all cars these days it has to be sited within a few feet of the steering wheel and you must be able to get at it without any special tools so it's never very far away from the steering wheel

Thanks Deckchair5

not done anything about mine yet still running fine and only happens at high speeds and when well warmed up. does anybody think it may be risky to leave as is? not happened for a few weeks now but ive not done any high motorway speeds in that time.

My problem sounds just like yours bobcat, nothing until it warms up then off we go at 75+

Wnet to Halfords they dont sell a fault reader for Fiat (only sell specific make ones Ford etc)

Just taken mine into the Fiat stealer again, they reckon that the fault reader is now indicating ignition problems with the other coils, (1,3 and 4) dont have the exact fault codes yet (I'll ask for them) but they "reckon" this is a common problem.

they suggested replacing the other coils for a mere £250 and it "should" fix the problem . Decided not to bother but might try doing it myself.

Is it easy to do this considering I'm not that experienced when it comes to car mechanics, anything I need to worry about.

Can I get the coils somewhere other than Fiat?

Replacing the coils takes a few minutes per coil - even easier if you know which ones to replace.

Just remove engine cover. I use an allen key to remove the bolt to each coil, remove the connector, and remove - simple.

You can order them from shop4parts.co.uk - although I got mine from the dealership, worked out the same price.

Thanks Stuart.

Been trawling around the forum looking for inspiration. Seen a few posts saying if your coil goes then youd know it by the way the car runs.

When I get my engine fault, there is no discernable difference in how the car is running - jeez :bang:

Just a couple of quick questions to anybody whose watching.

1) Is it possible for my problem to be a coil failure???? or will I be wasting my money

2) where can I get a compatible fault reader that wont mean getting a second mortgage?

3) Dealer reckons carrying on as is shouldnt cause anything worse ultimately than misfiring - Dont want an even bigger bill.

A coil won't know anything about vehicle speed so a coil fault would be repeatable at slower speeds too under the same engine load

Ebay seems to have the choice for EOBD readers as they get better and better so fast. That's why it's better to get an interface and software so you can use your laptop as your software can be updated and you can do a hell of a lot more with your laptop

This is a basic standard reader although you may be able to get a similar one cheaper if you look around
http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_GDEOBD_4.html

Gendan also do the interfaces (cheaper though on Ebay if you look around) and software


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAN-Bus-OBDII...8770578QQihZ020QQcategoryZ30921QQcmdZViewItem

This is similar and cheaper but email the chap with your car details and they can tell you more. They'll often do a refund if it doesn't work as it's so difficult to be absolutely certain. Stay away from ones for VAG/COM like VW/ Audi/ Seat/ Skoda as that's a different system for sure

COIL?
If you can't feel it holding back or misfiring then it probably isn't. I've always noticed before the engine diagnostics does

Cheers Deckchair great/fast response, I'm going to get one!!!

I'll try and drag the fault codes out of the dealer when I pick my unfixed car up.
Supposedly he's saying the faults are on the other coils not the one they "fixed" earlier which sort of implies its something to do with them.

Read somewhere about resetting the ecu by taking the battery lead off for 45 mins then idling the car for 5 mins. Not sure what this would achieve in my situation.

Are there any "cheap" things I could try in order to find what is causing the error? What would you suspect???

Seems ridiculous that the only way Fiat will fix it is if I pay for everything to be replaced in the fault chain until the actual cause is found. I would have paid £400 so far. You'd think that as its not a long job they could wang in some, not new but working coils, that they use for testing, see if this worked if they did put some new ones in, if not there would be further fault codes.

Maybe I'll suggest that

Well i'd want to see what the fault codes actually were. The engine is talking to you but you need to talk the talk
Whereabouts are you? Lots of people now have the ability to read fault codes. If you're passing by here I'd read them off for you

Cheap option would be to go to the scrapyard and get some Stilo 1.6 coils and try them. Still got the same fault? Never mind, just saved yourself a bundle and you have some spare coils to put in the boot.

I don't think resetting the ECU will do much in your case but it won't do any harm either

Just can't say what your fault is but the fault code would help

Meady said:

Seems ridiculous that the only way Fiat will fix it is if I pay for everything to be replaced in the fault chain until the actual cause is found.

Click to expand...

Now this annoys me.........who is fixing your car is it FIAT? No,its a franchised garage.....if you dont like/rate the service go to another the same as you do shops/pubs etc.

Also your garage saying no harm will come to the car because of misfire is wrong,it will damage the catalytic convertor.......now thats a big repair bill

Hi Deckchair I'm in Stockport so a little way away from Bath, but thanks very much for the offer, I'm going to buy a cheapo fault reader from your links, either some new or secondhand coils and try myself.

T14086 said:

Now this annoys me.........who is fixing your car is it FIAT? No,its a franchised garage.....if you dont like/rate the service go to another the same as you do shops/pubs etc.

Also your garage saying no harm will come to the car because of misfire is wrong,it will damage the catalytic convertor.......now thats a big repair bill

Click to expand...

Hi T14086 I assume its my statement that annoys you and yes I agree and have declined a further outlay of £250 to "maybe" fix the problem and will attempt it myself, see above.

When you r thirsty go to your local, order a pint of guinness, get a bag of peanuts for a non-refundable £140 and see if that annoys you.


Yes I agree I am commenting on one franchised dealer and wont be going there again. It just seems to me that they could try replacing the coils with used working ones as it isnt hours and hours of labour thus eliminating/fixing the cause. As you say its my choice but its cost me £140 so far to make me invoke that choice. My tough luck but irritating nonetheless

Meady said:

Hi Deckchair I'm in Stockport so a little way away from Bath, but thanks very much for the offer, I'm going to buy a cheapo fault reader from your links, either some new or secondhand coils and try myself.



Hi T14086 I assume its my statement that annoys you and yes I agree and have declined a further outlay of £250 to "maybe" fix the problem and will attempt it myself, see above.

When you r thirsty go to your local, order a pint of guinness, get a bag of peanuts for a non-refundable £140 and see if that annoys you.


Yes I agree I am commenting on one franchised dealer and wont be going there again. It just seems to me that they could try replacing the coils with used working ones as it isnt hours and hours of labour thus eliminating/fixing the cause. As you say its my choice but its cost me £140 so far to make me invoke that choice. My tough luck but irritating nonetheless

Click to expand...

I was refering to the 'Fiat' statement or the use of it when actually you were refering to 'particular garage'.Fiat as a company dont fix your car its the garage if you prefer to put it that way.

I agree that the 'guessing game' is not on,a good garage will pinpoint the fault without guessing.

Guinness..........:yuck:

Rightho T14086 - Apologies for my frustrated rant then , I suppose I was referring to Fiat in the same way as I would mention a Hoover even if it was really a Dyson It would also be wrong for me to tar the whole Franchise with the same brush.

Still awaiting my fault reader thingy.

BTW The "Fiat franchised dealer" told me on my last visit that the fault code was now indicating an ignition problem on the number 3 coil, (had number 2 replaced after selling one of my kidneys). Dont know if this means anything.

Still getting absoulutely no change in running when the light comes on.

If I do ever get it fixed I'll post agin in case some other poor swab gets the same problem

It'll be interesting to know what it is. This is one of those things that's easy to find out with a laptop connected to your car as you drive. Put it on record, up to speed, BING then look at the recorded fault analyse what's happening with the engine parameters and see how it occured. Fault code reader at least gives you the info you need otherwise it's total guesswork

Hi Deckchair just ordered a reader from http://www.talktomycar.co.uk/ which is the Website of the ebay seller you gave me the link to. Seems you can get the readers a bit cheaper there.

No laptop I'm afraid so I wont have any fancy diagnostic gantt charts or anything just fault codes. I'll let you know what it says.


T14086 Guinness:yum: :yum: :yum:

I've had a similar problem twice ( last night one was of them ). Both times it has been absolutely hammering down with rain and lots of standing water.

Get about 80mph, light trips on and "restricts" me to 60mph until I turn the engine off and on again. Or if I drop to 4th then accelerate back up to 75-80 again.

Only ever happened in the rain though, no problems any other time

KurtB said:

I've had a similar problem twice ( last night one was of them ). Both times it has been absolutely hammering down with rain and lots of standing water.

Get about 80mph, light trips on and "restricts" me to 60mph until I turn the engine off and on again. Or if I drop to 4th then accelerate back up to 75-80 again.

Only ever happened in the rain though, no problems any other time

Click to expand...

I think you just want to check out your over-boost valve :idea:

Meady said:

Rightho T14086 - Apologies for my frustrated rant then , I suppose I was referring to Fiat in the same way as I would mention a Hoover even if it was really a Dyson It would also be wrong for me to tar the whole Franchise with the same brush.

Click to expand...

Have you checked your spark plug resistances especially when hot?

KurtB said:

I've had a similar problem twice ( last night one was of them ). Both times it has been absolutely hammering down with rain and lots of standing water.

Get about 80mph, light trips on and "restricts" me to 60mph until I turn the engine off and on again. Or if I drop to 4th then accelerate back up to 75-80 again.

Only ever happened in the rain though, no problems any other time

Click to expand...

Have you got aircon fitted on your car?

Yeah I have got aircon, but it wasn't running either time I had the problem.

Whats that about the overboost valve? Does wet weather have an effect on it or something, its only happened twice, both in the rain about 3 months apart.

ChrisF had a similar long running problem that was eventually sorted by Ayr Fiat...cant find ChrisF's original thread though!