Hey Fiat Fans

After heavy rain(over 10 days) an local flooding my Fiat has started to act strangely. On start up the dash will show the high beam light(I don't usally switch off the lights when shutting down) even though they are 'dipped'. A quick flick 'resets' them back to normal. Also the fuel guage sometimes flicks up and down during the starting cycle(not in a normal fashion but it flickers/if that makes sense?) On top of that the clock has stopped displaying the correct time and appears to show the time since first start up, initially showing 00.00 hours. Speedo works okay and odometer is good.

I started the car up a couple if days ago and it struggled to get going, turning over on the starter only. Very rare for my Seciento(after a ten minute drive) and then when it did revved up and down by itself for maybe 10-15 seconds before settling back to 'normal' idle. It was as if I was revving the car myself.

Now, what with the rain I have had to 'wade' through some fairly large puddles and now I think the alternator may be suffering. I replaced itvlast year after the bearing seized and think that the water etc has maybe washed out some bearing grease? Anyone got any tips for re lubricating the bearings 'in situ', and what would be best to use?

The battery is the one it came with from my mate but isn't the original. The car is always garaged and well looked after....just think it may have caught a cold.

Haven't noticed any warning lights....haven't got a OBDII reader YET!!

Any advice would be great

Many thanks

Malcolm
Marbella

Check all the basics first. Battery connections, battery cable to starter solenoid, earth straps and obvious earthing points.
A dodgy earth strap can cause numerous problems - you can by - pass it by using a jump lead from battery negative to the engine block.
ive never seen an alternator you can lubricate the bearings on, they are sealed for life.
Hope you get it sorted

Moisture in or loose plug on ECU maybe?
My Sei SX 1.1 Mpi did the revving itself routine and clock resetting after I'd changed the strut the ecu sits on top of - it was a dislodged plug.

Metalguru3 said:

Check all the basics first. Battery connections, battery cable to starter solenoid, earth straps and obvious earthing points.
A dodgy earth strap can cause numerous problems - you can by - pass it by using a jump lead from battery negative to the engine block.
ive never seen an alternator you can lubricate the bearings on, they are sealed for life.
Hope you get it sorted

Click to expand...

Many thanks will be refitting battery after conditioning, think its okay TBH. Will be under the 'Se' in about an hour and will be checking those things mentioned....

bargepower said:

Moisture in or loose plug on ECU maybe?
My Sei SX 1.1 Mpi did the revving itself routine and clock resetting after I'd changed the strut the ecu sits on top of - it was a dislodged plug.

Click to expand...

WELL FUNNY YOU SHOULD MENTION THAT...

Whilst under the bonnet last week I noticed that the ECU bracket was loose...tightened it up. Both nuts were coming undone...

Maybe that's where this issue has started....will be checking under 'Noddy' once I refit the battery..

LOVE THIS FORUM

Many thanks

Bubble Trouble said:

Many thanks will be refitting battery after conditioning, think its okay TBH. Will be under the 'Se' in about an hour and will be checking those things mentioned....

Click to expand...

Forgot to mention that I had to jump start Noddy yesterday. First attempt was not a success but second he cranked over normally(with a booster) and fired up.. On the initial attempt when he failed to start the following message was displayed for about 1/2 second...

'FPS On'....

Not sure what that meant but I would guess erroneous messages are part of the 'mix' with regards to electrical issues...??

Metalguru3 said:

Check all the basics first. Battery connections, battery cable to starter solenoid, earth straps and obvious earthing points.
A dodgy earth strap can cause numerous problems - you can by - pass it by using a jump lead from battery negative to the engine block.
ive never seen an alternator you can lubricate the bearings on, they are sealed for life.
Hope you get it sorted

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, unfortunately still have the same issue but, having re read your post haven't checked the engine block with a multimeter(I broke my cheap Chinese shop one whilst carrying out some earlier tests) Have been on you tube and watching ScannerDanner's channel and he said the same thing...so thats the first place when I can 'mooch' a tester off of someone(All my good tools are in the UK/I'm in Spain) Have checked all the other earth points that I can find(no corrosion out here and all secure) so the basics have been almost covered. One thing I did find was a partially melted headlamp bulb connector. Thought the bulb had blown but not so. Have temporarily 'fixed the problem(headlamp works fine) not sure if 'connected' with my initial problem.

Just to confirm that the earthing 'straps' are located:

1. Battery negative to body.

2. Another next to battery tray(can't remember exactly where it comes from)

3. Engine/gearbox to body...strap on upper casing of gearbox running to inner wheel arch(below ECU in my case) LHD 'Se'?

Really need that multi tester

Thanks in advance!!

Need to get that tester.