I have had my Fiat 500 for two months and have had problems with the cold start on ocassions, not all the time. The garage replaced the crank sensor and that seemed to fix it but it did not want to start this morning. I did the normal of putting the clutch down and allowing the lights to go out and it took two goes. Does anyone have any advise as I may need to go back to the Fiat garage, again!!! Other than this I love my 2009 1.2 pop

My money is on the MAP sensor


https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/226978-starting-problem-revs-drop-off.html?p=2406594


Oh and welcome to the forum :wave:

Thanks Andy, have taken it in a few times since the post and they have refused to replace the MAP sensor as it was showing no fault so I have asked them to do this and I'll pay for it, all £151!! fingers crossed this is the issue.

Yes, welcome Juey!

I wonder, if the map sensor is the problem, will the dealer then refund your £151?

Good luck, whatever.

That was my thought as well, so far the car has been in six times and because it is an intermittent fault they cannot diagnose it. Happens once every 13 or so days and always when the car is cold (not weather) just not been used for over 8 or so hours. I love the car and am frustrated that experts cannot find the problem.

Cheers for your well wishes

How are you with computers and using a little bit of initiative?

Seriously, I'm thinking you buy yourself a copy of FiatECUScan, and a cable, and we can talk you through doing some diagnostics. Looking at the live data when the car won't start will be the best way to identify the fault, clearly the dealership are absolutely useless at doing any sort of diagnostics.

It never ceases to amaze me how useless some so called 'technicians' are at finding a fault.

A local mechanic that I found on the forum said that he would lend me a datalog to go into the OBD, is that the same thing you are suggesting? I've had the cam sensor, cold start relay, spark plugs, battery and throttle cable replaced. It's like they are working their way through the alphabet. I love the car and am loathed to give up on it, but it's all very stressful. How much would a FiatECUScan cost and cable?

50 Euros for FES, and a CANbus cable probably not much more than £25..

You said crank sensor in the first post, and then the cam sensor? Have both been changed? Only I'd say the crank sensor is more likely to be the cause of the issue you suffer, rather than the MAP sensor.

bgunn said:

50 Euros for FES, and a CANbus cable probably not much more than £25..

You said crank sensor in the first post, and then the cam sensor? Have both been changed? Only I'd say the crank sensor is more likely to be the cause of the issue you suffer, rather than the MAP sensor.

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sorry, both have been replaced by Fiat the crank sensor and the cam sensor. If you have a link to the ECU and cable that would be brilliant and thanks for your help.

I have a fully registered copy of Fiat ECU scan and the proper adapters. If you're in London, drop me a PM, I'll meet you somewhere and we'll run it up, see what it reports if you like.

Sorry to hear of your problems. If ours had been like that after all this time I'd have just taken it to the dealer, left the keys and said ta-ra. Hope you can finally get it sorted out.

Your problem does sound pretty bad though (reading between the lines I'm guessing this happens in the summer as well).

Our 1.2 has always been reluctant to go when the temps get below 7 degrees or so and left for 8 hours or so. It always goes first time but that is because I have learnt not to release the key too early when firing up. It properly struggles for a second or two once the starter turns and then goes - no idea why but as it is consistent I have just learnt to live with it!

Super Uwe said:

Sorry to hear of your problems. If ours had been like that after all this time I'd have just taken it to the dealer, left the keys and said ta-ra. Hope you can finally get it sorted out.

Your problem does sound pretty bad though (reading between the lines I'm guessing this happens in the summer as well).

Our 1.2 has always been reluctant to go when the temps get below 7 degrees or so and left for 8 hours or so. It always goes first time but that is because I have learnt not to release the key too early when firing up. It properly struggles for a second or two once the starter turns and then goes - no idea why but as it is consistent I have just learnt to live with it!

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My 1.2 is exactly the same!

I cant believe what I am reading. I joined this forum to check out Fiat 500's but a two month old 500 and the dealer cant fix a prob? As for a member willing to pay for a fix has put me right off the Fiat. Fiat should be falling over themselves helping the member. I test drove a Panda last week as the 500 was 'out' (? plenty kicking around). The report on the twin air has now put me right off as dealer told me to ignore all mpg discussions on the internet as they are all 'false'. I think I will believe your forum rather than the dealer.

Austin Mini said:

I cant believe what I am reading. I joined this forum to check out Fiat 500's but a two month old 500 and the dealer cant fix a prob? As for a member willing to pay for a fix has put me right off the Fiat. Fiat should be falling over themselves helping the member. I test drove a Panda last week as the 500 was 'out' (? plenty kicking around). The report on the twin air has now put me right off as dealer told me to ignore all mpg discussions on the internet as they are all 'false'. I think I will believe your forum rather than the dealer.

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We all do not have problems all the time, if fact to ratio cars sold the problems are miniscule!! also my dealer bent over backwards with anything ive asked ,although anyone who do has problems with dealers etc (can be frustrating)the kind people on this forum try and point them in the direction of a better dealer near as they can,or help rectify the problem

My problem with Fiat started in 1982 when I bought a brand new Panda, picked it up 1st August, new reg day, the dealers handed the car over to me without even doing a PDI check only de-greased. Took it back after lunch and they wernt too bothered gave me a crappy old Fiat as my insurance was for my new car and told me to come back next day. Since then I have been wary. The twin air I was thinking of has been scratched now cause of grimwau's post but faults like these put me off. Stoneacre is my closest dealer are they ok?

Stoneacre is my closest dealer are they ok?

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Not used them myself ,try typing in stoneacre customer reviews into search engines see what comes up.

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.stoneacre.co.uk
They do not look good ,unless someone on here has a positive

That what I was thinking. Rockingham Cars seems best but their trade in is a bit too low.

Austin Mini said:

I cant believe what I am reading. I joined this forum to check out Fiat 500's but a two month old 500 and the dealer cant fix a prob?

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In fairness, that car was considerably older - it was a 2009 car that the OP had purchased two months previously.

That said, you do have a valid point.

You can drive away a base model Panda right now for under £6000; FIAT can only sell it for that price by building it from some of the cheapest, poorest quality parts on the planet. In 1.2 form, the 500 is essentially the same bag of parts with the addition of a little eye candy. The warranty is one of the worst in the industry, and there have been numerous stories here of mind-boggling incompetence by some of the franchised dealerships, both pre and post sales. The TwinAir engine is probably FIAT's most interesting innovation and its current unique selling point, but judging by the reports you read here, the claims made for its fuel economy simply can't be achieved in real world driving.

But compared to most other cars in this sector of the market, there's an indefinable feelgood factor that somehow makes the 500 stand out from the competition - which is why most of us here continue to enthuse about the car, why FIAT can continue to charge premium money for it, and why current residuals are at a level which is, quite frankly, staggering.

So far we have been offered the following deals. VW Polo 1.2 S A/C five door £11,545 OTR.
Fiat 500 1.2 lounge £11,360 OTR. VW has also offered £1k more on px.