Hello, I have a 1.9 GP mjet, 57 plate. Only done 35000 miles and in good nik.
I've had a lot of problems starting the car up in the last 6 months or so. Sometimes takes a couple of goes and doesn't seem to matter if its cold or warm. I had the EGR replaced earlier in the year by Arnold Clark and since they fitted this I never felt the car drove the same way again.
So I went back to Arnold Clark about the starting up problems and they fitted me a new Air Valve Regulator, (thinking it was still and EGR problem and it was still under warranty) and I parted with another huge wad . Not happy because it made no difference to my original starting up issues. I had thought it would be a glow plug or alternator issue but they said no.
Anyway went to another garage for another opinion and he couldn't find anything wrong. I decided to change the battery, it's now been to yet another mechanic and again no one can find a problem.
I'm at a loss. I need my car for work so it need to be reliable. Can anyone help?

Cheers,
R.

There a lot of topics on start up problems, I myself are having some issues.

Firstly, you can try cleaning your throttle body:

Courtesy of Andy_Monty

removing the air box:

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punt...-2-1-4-8v.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punt...ge-1-2-8v.html

then do this:

https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-guide...rol-valve.html

If this doesn't help the problem, then it could be worth investing in a new MAP sensor, as seen on the second page here:

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/285952-dreaded-cold-start.html

Also, get your battery tested.

Im no expert, but just writing from experience with remedies I have tried on mine.

Oh and mention in more detail, exactly what happens when you start the car.

Sam

One easy thing to eliminate is diesel draining back to the tank. Park your car the opposite way around and see if this makes a difference. Is the problem worse after a longer period ? If so, your fuel could be slowly seeping back.

In reply to my own post, i realise you have changed the battery so ignore that part...

Thanks for the help guys.
Sam - your suggestions sound interesting. Will have a word with my mechanic and see if he can help me out. I'm afraid I don't have the confidence or know how to even attempt what you mentioned. And yes, like you said the battery got changed but made no difference.
Any idea why Arnold Clark decided to change the air valve regulator? Did I just get ripped off?

The suggestions above, i.e. cleaning throttle body for one, can be done by anyone as long as you have simple tools. I am no mechanic but only took 15 minutes.

Obviously though, if you're not willing to do so of course take it to the garage, but I think they may charge you for something so little.

Saying that though, the throttle body might not even be the problem anyway.

With regards to the air valve, im not sure there mate.

Have a look here and see if this sounds like your problem:
https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/227405-1-2-1-4-map-sensor-replacement.html

Hope this helps a bit

Sam

I had the same problem mate. At first i thought it was the tuning box, but the problem remained even without the box. I took my car to many garages and no one could find what was wrong. Changed battery, glow plugs, injectors tested..you name it! And one day... it started working fine. It's been 2 months now and had no problem. I can't remember though if i started using one kind of fuel when the problem dissapeared, so my opinion is, check your fuel...

I would be looking for a software update first.

T14086 said:

I would be looking for a software update first.

Click to expand...

Then double check the glow plus are happy and that your starting the car properly.

turn key but not as far as to start the car.
heater plug light goes out.
clutch down.
start car.

If your still having issues then maybe have the charging system checked out. I had problems for years then finally got a new alternator and its perfect! (Other than the usual aftermarket alternator issue)

Thanks very much for all the helpful replies. Car seemed to be going fine for a month or so, but I'm getting increasingly more "Excess radiator fluid" messages appearing when trying to start the car up. Does anyone know what this problem is or how to resolve it?

T14086 - you mentioned a software upgrade, is this something I can do?

Cheers,
R.