Technical Intermitent starting seicento sporting

[blum01]

I bought my grilfriend a Sein sporting to use as a run arround and it keeps not wanting to start it's turning over but wont fire. I was told by a bloke at work to replace the battery as this could be the cause it seemd to solve the problem for a while but is now back to it's old tricks. She managed to start it the other day by bumping it. I have read that it may be worth changing the crank sensor.

Any help advice will be gratfully received.

Will

 

[fingers99]

Would be worthwhile checking the alternator output with a simple multimeter across the battery terminals.

Fully charged battery (half an hour or so after coming off the charger) should give 12.6v. With the engine running, expect something like 14.5.

Crank sensors can be a right PITA. But, when they fail, you'll see no spark when cranked, and no fuel past the injector (dry plugs after cranking) or on SPI cars, no dribble of petrol onto the throttle butterfly. Sometimes, if they're intermittent, wobbling the lead while cranking will see the engine suddenly burst into life! Not a cure, but a surefire indication that the crank sensor is the issue.

 

[blum01]

@ fingers99

The battery and alternator are fine had them checked out by the blokes working in the battery bay at work , over 12V without engine off and a steady 14V with it running.

I know that last time it was doing this I undid what i think is the fuel line into the injctor rail (blue pipe) and was surprised to see no fuel there. Just tryed spraying a bit of easy start into the air filter to see if it was a fuel issue but not even a cough.

How easy is it to get to the sensor lead. She will be getting home from work in a bit and may get on my knees in the rain and give it a wiggle if it's easy to get to.

Will

 

[blum01]

I just had another thought could it be a faulty inertia fuel cut-off switch if so dose anyone know where it is and how to get to it.:bang:

Will

 

[fingers99]

On the Sportings changing the crank sensor is a 15 minute job. Most of the time is jacking the car up and removing the OS wheel for access.

I doubt it's the cut off. But it's towards the engine bulkhead, pretty much in front of the plastic gear lever surround, sort of bottom central of the dash. The 600 owner Guide in the downloads should have it.

Check if you have MPI or SPI. here.

 

[blum01]

Just been out turned the key to see if it had fixed it's self through the power of doing nothing and it wouldnt start. I then gave it a technical wiggle at both ends and started first turn yey. Off to Cam auto after work tomorrow £24 will fit it and see if that fixes her.

Thank you fingers99 for all your help

Will

 

[blu73]

sounds like the earth from body to top of gearbox needs checking to me... take it off and clean it (by that i mean actual sandpaper or some abrasive on the ends of the cable and the point it contacts on the gearbox and the passenger wing). Refit and make sure its nice and tight at both ends.

Or just leave it and next time it does it stick a jump lead from the battery -ve terminal to the gearbox housing and see if that makes it start, if it does its almost 100% said earth lead

 

[blum01]

Ok will give that a go as well if it is the earth how come wiggling the cam sensor did the job. I cant wait for the summer so I can actually go out and have a look under the bonnet without a torch And fix any little problems.

 

[blu73]

well not saying it 100% is that, just sounds like what it does when there is a bad connection there... cam sensor could of just been luck or the issue might be there, couldn't say for sure.

 

[fingers99]

Scrarching up and re-attatching the big fat earth leads -- use a little vaseline or silicone grease to prevent them ever corroding up again) is always worthwhile. Then try again avec le crank semsor cable.

But my guess is that's what it is -- bumping has had same effect as wobbling the lead.

 

[tmba20114]

I bought my grilfriend a Sein sporting to use as a run arround and it keeps not wanting to start it's turning over but wont fire. I was told by a bloke at work to replace the battery as this could be the cause it seemd to solve the problem for a while but is now back to it's old tricks. She managed to start it the other day by bumping it. I have read that it may be worth changing the crank sensor.

Any help advice will be gratfully received.

Will

Hi all, had the same problem with the wifes Seicento. Also the alternator belt needed replacing. Replacing the belt requires the removal of the crank sensor. So when all was put back, the car was awful to start and when running would then stall. New sensor on order.

Will post results as soon as I've put the new sensor on.

 

[blu73]

you would normally undo the bottom pulley to get the belt off, that way you son't have to touch the crank sensor - two more bolts granted but if it means not messing with the crank sensor which are notoriously temperamental then its worth it in my view

 

[fingers99]

:yeahthat:

Especially on 899s where it's easy to undo the wrong screws and put the crank sensor in the wrong place! I think there's a warning in the Haynes!

 

[blum01]

I have now changed the sensor the old one looks like it had been dragged into the fan at some point in its life. The preivouse owner had just put some tape round the chewed up bit and that was comming off. I suspect that one of the wires was touching and earthing every now and then. Took less than 5 mins to change didn't even bother taking the wheel off just jacked and axle standed it 10mm socket,screwdriver for the clip and a couple of cable ties.

However I now have an engine management light on :bang: disconnecting the battery for 10 mins and reconnecting hasnt solved it. Any ideas anyone?. Gonna try leaving the bat dissconncected over night and see if that sorts it.

Like I said any ideas will try them all.

Will

 

[blu73]

from previous comments i'm guessing this is an mpi car so will be OBD2, get a cheap code reader or one of them bluetooth/wifi dongles and download the torque app for your phone.
Or borrow one from a mate. It really is best starting point if you have a eml.

 

[blum01]

This car is confusing me no end :bang: the engine management light has now gone out but the hazard lights keep turing them selfs on whilst driving.

Any ideas??????

Will

 

[blu73]

faulty switch, faulty earth....

 

[blum01]

Wow she seems to have fixed her self all on her own I do not understand this car.

Will keep every one posted as to weather the cam lead has sorted the original starting issues.

Thank you to fingers 99 and blu73 for all your help this is my first post so can any one tell me if there is a way of putting a thank you on your profiles

Will

 

[blu73]

bottom right of each post, little buttons - like, dislike, thanks

well if using a computer that is, i never use the mobile app so can't comment on that but it will be there somewhere i am sure

 

[blum01]

Well it has now been over a week and we have had no starting issues the engine management light has stayed off and all in all she seems to be running fine. Next job is the rear engine mount.

Thank you to everyone for your advice and help.

Will