my wife was driving home when she heard a bang like she had run over somethingand the engine just cut out.she got towed home and the recovery driver said it could be the fuel cut off switch,although when she turned the engine over it is turning over very fast and doesnt sound like its fireing up,could the ticam belt or timing belt have broke?is their an easy way to find this out because we cant afford to put it in a garage. i only know about motorcycle engines not cars.if this is an expensive problem then we will have to sell the car,it is a 1.6 auto on a t plate nice alloys no rust whatsoever a couple of months tax and mot left on it.its a sort of blue/silver.i need to shift it or fix it.ill let it go for £500 i cant keep two motors as shes using her other one now.can anyone help?please.

Am not sure, if its turning over then i dont think it can be the timing belt, as the engine would be seized if the belt had snapped or slipped as the valves would have hit the cylinders. Meaning head has to come off and valves replaced.

if its turning over quicker than normal could be the piston/rings as that would cause less compression.. get a compression tester how many miles?

I think the cam cover (black plastic cover on left side of engine) Is held on with torx headed bolts. Undo the top ones then pull the cover back and have a look. Obviously keep fingers well clear if you turn the engine over. Also wip the plugs out and have a look at what they look like

Also check both oil and water


Might shed some light on things.

Ribe bolts i think, as said in another post, but torx's fit but not perfect so watch u dont round them off:

https://www.fiatforum.com/bravo-brava/86675-cambelt-cover.html

For more info

i took the cover off on the left side of the engine like suggested and the cogs and belts were turning,when u turn it over its like the belts are turning but it isnt turning the engine over .

On the water coolant bottle is the water at the correct mark, somewhere between minimum and maximum.
What does the oil on the dipstick look like?

Also pop the sparks out and keep the leads in order to ensure they are not replaced incorrectly. What do the spark plug ends look like? any oil contamination?
Whilst plugs are out put a long screwdriver or a rod etc. Down the plug hole till it hits the piston. Now jack car up to raise a road wheel off the floor, put car in 4th gear and turn the road wheel by hand. It should lift the item you are raising up or downwards. With the pistons at the top see if you can shine a light down to see the pistons. It's possible I guess that the crank has sheared..

My logic, is that if the car is spinning fast then it has little compression. Ideally it needs a compression test. It is possible that a lot of valves are bent or a piston is damaged. By having a look at what is listed above we might be able to shed some light on things.

ok if it spins over very quickly sounds like the cam belt. the only real way of checking is to remove the bolts holding the cam cover in place, you will be able to see the cam belt and the 2 cam pulleys ( if it is a 16v ) ifyou turn the key to operate the starter and the 2 top gears do not rotate then the belt has definately failed, and will have caused extensive damage to the cylinder head and valves. very expensive to repair

just out of curiosity, have you checked the fuel cut off switch?
I think its under the passenger seat on your wifes, and its a large rubber push switch dead center, so you can't miss it. if its not there then follow the plastic trim on the passenger side door, up to where it joins the bottom of the dash and you'll find a space you can fit your finger through, its to the left.
if its not pressed in, try press it in, if it won't stay in, then there is the same problem I had to deal with over christmas for a friend. (also a non starter)


Just a thought

i havent got the money to spend on it so ill just sell it for £500,no rust alloys 60.000 miles someone will get a bargain if it is only something silly,its auto,thanks for all your suggestions,this car is immaculate,let us know if your interested,it still has tax and mot.

were are you in the uk? i may be interested