My Fiat Brava (Y reg 1.2) is struggling to start and has had to be jumped started on many mornings. It was taken to the garage who put it on a diagnostics machine and apparantly fixed it for £100.00p (last Thurs) by changing the leads. The problem was still occurring and as it was booked in for an MOT (Today) It was mentioned that the problem still exists, he said he would try and take a look but unfortunately he didn't (I have to wait until after Easter now) but he mentioned it might be the starter motor. Tonight it is worse than ever, cutting out virtually everytime I had to slow down for t.lights etc.

The heater doesn't work either which apparently is the matrix (which costs a lot???) Please advise how much you think this should be? There is also a light on the dash which looks like an oil can which is permanantly on - Whats this?

Please can someone advise me where I can start looking myself (In simple terms as I know nothing about this car) because its Easter and I don't want to go out in a dodgy car - there are buses I know but well, I would like to get this car driving as it should.

Also, Is the mechanic at fault (as such) I mean he apparently fixed this starting fault (with leads & diag check) but it is now worse than ever, can he potentially say and charge me for a starter motor job when I asked him to fix this problem in the first place - I hope that made sense!

Please help and advise this damsl in distress :bang:

HEater could just need bleeding. There is a screw on one of the pipes going to the heater that unscrews for that purpose.

How old is the battery. Mine needed jump starting several times in Jan after which I changed it and its started fine (coulndt turn engine fast enough) it also didnt run too well with a knackered battery. I dodnt know how old mine was, but it fixed it. Year 2000 Bravo.

test your battery i think it will be that if you can jump start it ok

ZZR6 said:

HEater could just need bleeding. There is a screw on one of the pipes going to the heater that unscrews for that purpose.

How old is the battery. Mine needed jump starting several times in Jan after which I changed it and its started fine (coulndt turn engine fast enough) it also didnt run too well with a knackered battery. I dodnt know how old mine was, but it fixed it. Year 2000 Bravo.

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Hi

Would you be so kind to be a bit more specific as to where this screw is. When I open the bonnet, Is it near the front , attached to radiator or towards the dashboard (back as I look under bonnet).

Sorry for this but your help is greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

jeffas said:

test your battery i think it will be that if you can jump start it ok

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Hi

Please advise...How do I test the battery?

Many Thanks for your advice so far

if its cutting out while you are driving, it might be possible that the alternator isnt charging the battery which would also explain why it needs jumping.

goto kwik fit or somewhere similar and they can do you a free digital battery check. this would at least give an idea as to what the problem is

damsl said:

Hi

Would you be so kind to be a bit more specific as to where this screw is. When I open the bonnet, Is it near the front , attached to radiator or towards the dashboard (back as I look under bonnet).

Sorry for this but your help is greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Click to expand...

Its at the back behind the engine. It can be seen from the drivers side. A pipe about 1" thick IIRC that goes into the cabin through the bulkhead.

HTH

Yep battery check can be done by most tyre and battery suppliers.

starting problem is crank sensor, oil pressure and heater problem are due to head gasket, very common on the 1.2, sorry.

who knows, maybe you'll be lucky and your oil problem will simply be due to low oil, and the heater problme will simply be due to a leak elsewhere in the system (coolant hose), but on a 1.2 model i'd have to say it is 95% going to be a head gasket leak.