Hey, guys,

I own a 1.2 Grande Punto 2006. I nice little car and I like it. But yesterday I came from work, parked it, turned off the engine and went home.
Couple of hours later, I get out to go to a shop, put in the key, turn and nothing. When most of the lights go off, the one with a padlock and car remains, sometimes when u turn there is a little click, other then that it is quiet as a mouse, engine is not even attempting to start.

My first thought was the immobilizer, but it also could be a motor starter.

I am not good at cars, I don't even know if the starter motor is at the back or the from of the car to check for loos cables, a lot of people are suggesting to check the earth cables, but i don't know where they are.

I would greatly appreciate any advise... i don't want to drag it to a garage for a loose cable.

The battery is a month old.

Any advise? I attach a pic of the dashboard.

First thing is to check your car's user manual to see EXACTLY what it says about that illuminated symbol. On Fiat cars there have been a number of symbols/legends used over the years to deliver the same message.

My current thoughts are that this is indeed an immobiliser issue where your key is not being recognised.

1) Try another key

2) Put the car battery on an overnight charge and try again with all the keys you have

3) Check all the battery main connections and any easily visible earth/negative cable straps for tightness and being corrosion free

If still no luck then you are going to have to get someone to read any fault codes/data from the car.

If you are local to me (Southampton/Hampshire) then I may be able to help otherwise you need to find someone else on this forum who lives near you with the necessary kit or you will have to call the AA/RAC/Green Flag or get your local Fiat Dealer/equipped garage to pay you a visit.

AlCorazon said:

Hey, guys,

I own a 1.2 Grande Punto 2006. I nice little car and I like it. But yesterday I came from work, parked it, turned off the engine and went home.
Couple of hours later, I get out to go to a shop, put in the key, turn and nothing. When most of the lights go off, the one with a padlock and car remains, sometimes when u turn there is a little click, other then that it is quiet as a mouse, engine is not even attempting to start.

My first thought was the immobilizer, but it also could be a motor starter.

I am not good at cars, I don't even know if the starter motor is at the back or the from of the car to check for loos cables, a lot of people are suggesting to check the earth cables, but i don't know where they are.

I would greatly appreciate any advise... i don't want to drag it to a garage for a loose cable.

The battery is a month old.

Any advise? I attach a pic of the dashboard.

View attachment 172630

Click to expand...

Hi, and welcome,

it's generally an indication that the car isn't recognising the chip in the key,

so try a second key, (or get your only key tested )

if no luck;
at top of GP section ..look in FAQ's - random electrical thread

shows how to test the wiring / connections,

Charlie

if you are close to me i may be able to read the fault codes for you (im in bradford west yorkshire)

Trustme said:

if you are close to me i may be able to read the fault codes for you (im in bradford west yorkshire)

Click to expand...

looks like AlCorazon is in the Republic of Ireland

Yes, I am in ROI. Friend is coming over tonight, he has more brains than I do. It could be starter issue, so will try and jump it! push in 2nd gear lol

I will be back with more info once I have it.
Thanks for all the advise!

varesecrazy said:

Hi, and welcome,

it's generally an indication that the car isn't recognising the chip in the key,

so try a second key, (or get your only key tested )

if no luck;
at top of GP section ..look in FAQ's - random electrical thread

shows how to test the wiring / connections,

Charlie

Click to expand...

Thanks!

I tried the second key, but second key is just a simple key with no buttons or anything on it. Same story, it's quiet.

Guys i have an update.

My friend started testing cables.
He attached a black jumper cable to the battery and second end somewhere to the engine, and engine fired up.

Without that combination, won't start at all.

The only downside is power steering light came on and basically i have no power steering now

AlCorazon said:

Guys i have an update.

My friend started testing cables.
He attached a black jumper cable to the battery and second end somewhere to the engine, and engine fired up.

Without that combination, won't start at all.

The only downside is power steering light came on and basically i have no power steering now

Click to expand...

sound like a bad earth, check the main earth connections

AlCorazon said:

Guys i have an update.

My friend started testing cables.
He attached a black jumper cable to the battery and second end somewhere to the engine, and engine fired up.

Without that combination, won't start at all.

The only downside is power steering light came on and basically i have no power steering now

Click to expand...

YES - that's all covered in the Punto FAQ's I told you about..

the car is IMMOBILISED - hence KEY / lock symbol

you need a decent earth cable to supply the power to the electronics,
get a new cable from a parts place / scrap yard,
and it'll work,

Charlie

Also forgot to mention that power steering is also not working... the check engin light is on and the speedometer is acting all weird, when driven it feels like its behaving strange but drives. Could all of that be caused by a ****ty cable?

varesecrazy said:

YES - that's all covered in the Punto FAQ's I told you about..

the car is IMMOBILISED - hence KEY / lock symbol

you need a decent earth cable to supply the power to the electronics,
get a new cable from a parts place / scrap yard,
and it'll work,

Charlie

Click to expand...

Also forgot to mention that power steering is also not working... the check engin light is on and the speedometer is acting all weird, when driven it feels like its behaving strange but drives. Could all of that be caused by a ****ty cable?

Where is that random electrical thread in faq? Can't find it! >D

AlCorazon said:

Where is that random electrical thread in faq? Can't find it! >D

Click to expand...

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/424410-grande-punto-faqs.html

Update.

My insurance provides with free towing to the garage.
I guy came down, who i thought to be a driver, but when he realized what the problem was, he refused to tow it, took out a toolkit, replaced a cable and were back in business, all the errors are gone and she starts even better than before.

Thank you for all of your advise.

So..it was the earth cable..just as your friend said.
Quick and easy.