Technical Brava 1.6 broke down today need advise please

[darrenfrowley]

Hi all,

sorry if i have posted this in the wrong section this is my first ever post on this forum and i am looking for some advise if anyone can give me some that would be great I will tell you all now i dont have a clue when it comes to car engines but i do have the hayes manual for my brava if that is of any use and im willing to try.

ok on to the problem/problems

the car is a fiat brava 1.6i 16v its on an S plate if that helps.
1. the problem started when trying to start the car at first mainly in the mornings it is reluctent to start i have to liturelly pump the accelerator and keep turning the key to get it started it will eventually start but never on first turn.

2. I have been having very frequent loss of power when accelerating its as if the car is been held back even if i stick the accelerator all the way to the floor it goes but just dont pick up speed very quickly then i can stop the engine go back to it about an hour later and it will be fine again.

3. today was by far the worst day ive had with it. was working fine, no pickup problems accelerting fine. went and done some shopping and came back and car would refuse to start. i would turn the key then the engine would turn over as if the battery was flat its hard to decribe then all the needles on the rpm, speedo, temp , and fual all shot up and down? I managed to get it started by pressing the accelerater loads of times and turning the key but it was differnt to the cold start problem, then when i got it started the (code) light was on and the engine would stop running if i tuck my foot of the accelerator. i managed to get home by keeping the revs up all the way home and staying in low gears.

if anyone can shed some light onto whats going on hear i would be iternally greatful.

regards


darren

 

[ZZR6]

When was your battery last changed.
Old battery's dont supply enough power to start engine.
I had really bad starting probs until I replaced mine.

Can get it checked at most garages.

 

[fiat_-_bravo]

Yeah I would say your battery or alternator is on its way out. Charging problems can cause a series of what seem unrelated problems. I'm even more convinced as your code light is on. That always comes on when battery is flat.

It tells you about the code light coming on when the battery is low in the running guide on www.bravo-guide.co.uk

 

[darrenfrowley]

ok heres the thing its been running fine since. starting without to much trouble and never cut out on me since .....battery was changed in april if that helps you out ...?

 

[rallycinq]

If you have managed to churn it over and over it ain't the battery.

I'd have a wee peak at the earth strap, just in case its a bit loose, hence the slowing down of the cranking, but, I'd be looking at the temperature sender thinking the car is either hottor or colder than it really is.

Check with a meter set to ohms, should be a high reading at cold getting lower as it warms.

Cheers

SPD

 

[lemonpillows]

Have you tried the fuel cut-off switch? I had a very simailar problem with mine until one day it just wouldn't start at all. Spark was there, battery was charged and everythign was fine.

If you put your hand underneath the front passenger seat and reach really far back, you may come across a button. Mine had just popped up a little bit. Make sure you check the car first (to make sure the fuel has not been stopped for a safety reason) and then push the button as far down as it will go.

Then try again. I don't know a lot about cars myself, but even my mechanic didn't know about this one until he phoned a specialist!

Hope it works for you.