Hi there,

My 1999 1.8 HLX is sick.... not as sick as it was but still sick.

Basically I was coming home from work the other day, hit a pot hole and all of a sudden she was running like crap. Got her home and thought about it and an idea came to me! Must be a coil pack..... So off I went to test.

Pulled them one by one and listened to the engine note change, or not, in the case of the third from the left which I suspected was my issue. The problem however got worse when in my infinite wisdom whilst doing this with the engine running, I managed to shock myself and apparently something else in the engine bay as it now won't start at all.

I turn the key and everything bar the fuel pump runs. Petrol gauge reads empty even though I know there's a half tank in there and the Rev counter doesn't work when I do start it. Also the injector light stays on. The only way I can get it to start now is by running a live from the battery straight to the fuel pump otherwise she just won't go. The immobilser light goes out as it should and I've checked all the fuses but now I'm out of ideas :bang: :bang: :bang:

On a positive note..... It runs better with new coils in it, be nice if it would start without the magic wire! Please help me!

u will have prob blown a fuse some where as its a short in the circuit. It may have triggered the fuel pump cut off for either by the pothole goin all the way to the centre of the earth or from you shocking yourself, I think mine is in the passenger side behind a plastic cover on wing side under glove box. Some one else may have an idea but more than likely something simple mate. Always bloody well is.

fogot to mention if you cn with a meter when key on check the electrical supply to the pump if you can to see if your gettin a feed to it. i think thats also got a fuse too.

I've put a meter in the plug that goes onto the pump and I'm getting a big fat zero from it. I also had all the fuses I could out of it today and they're all good. Found the fuel cut off thingy in the passenger footwell and pressed it to make sure and still no joy...... All ideas appreciated cos it's going to be something proper stupid I haven't thought of!

Have you checked the fuel pump relay?

Brand new relay went in today... or at least I think it was the right one?? Red one if I'm correct?

if your gettin zero from it then the fuse has blown as no supply. there is a panel at drivers side you can remove its huge cant miss it with fuses under there. i can get you the fuse numbers if you wnat i still have my booklet for car, or check online. No supply then no pump - no pump no start. lol. it will have been probs when removed plugs the fault current has risen and triggered it to blow.

Update time.......

Had to an auto electrician today who's informed the ECU has taken a dump basically. It's not sending a negative signal to the relay hence the reason it doesnt fire up off the key. My temporary live wire will work for now but that doesn't fix the non working fuel gauge and rev counter.

He's not sure but says that a new ECU may well fix the gauge and rev counter? Does that make sense to anyone? He did try and see if it could be repaired but apparently that unit can't be so I'm left looking for a replacement. Fiat has quoted £500 for a new ECU which I can suck up if necessary but I'm also looking at eBay where I may be able to pick up a brand new one for £250. This brings me to my next question which concerns the immobilser..... With a brand new ECU does it code itself once it's in and the car is started or do I need to lube up ready for Fiat to have code it??

Afaik, the ECU and Immobilizer are normally coded together and have to be replaced together. (The ecu can be reprogrammed to get around this, but the immobilizer will become inoperative)

You could just look at getting a salvage unit somewhere. Dunno what that'll run you for, but it'll most likely be a damn sight cheaper.