Technical Strange starting problems on 08 grande punto

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Technical Strange starting problems on 08 grande punto

Degsy1

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Hi guys new to the forum wife's car having some weird starting issues. Been searching and reading but can't find any other threads or topics on this particular starting issue.
Started a few weeks ago wife gets up starts the car fine drives to work parks it up and sometimes when she comes out key in car turns over maybe three repetitions then stops won't turn over or start, key out back in same again. Sometimes leave it ten mins starts fine , sometimes an hour sometimes over night. First time it done it was low on oil and wife was convinced this was it I have since put fresh oil in it and its at the correct level so think that's just co incidental. Last time it done it left it overnight and in the morning wouldnt start turns over three or four times the batt and starter sound strong but then it stops won't turn over or start, I disconnected the battery this time for 15 mins reconnected and it started fine. Tonight wife comes out of work same issue calls a cab ten mins later tries it again starts fine if it starts it drives and sounds fine. No lights have shown on the dash part from tonight she said the symbol of car and padlock showed and flashed went out. I came home went out and it starts fine with no lights showing.

Any ideas guys or any further information you need let me know
Sorry car is a 1.4 punto dynamic sport 8v, petrol, 5 door its Got about 34k on the clock

Thanks for reading
D.
 
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Just in case it might be the immobilser, have you tried the spare key
 
cheers guys
wife just called me in work started fine this morning dropped kids off which is 5 minute drive. she has come back to the car and it wont start same symptoms.???:bang:
she said the car symbol with padlock on came on then went off now has batt light and engine management light????

I haven't tried the spare key could try this when I get home. any other ideas.
you guys have mentioned immobiliser will that relate to spare key and why?

Bad earth , would it still crank over but then stop instantly after 3/4 cranks would it not display bad earth with nothing at all?

so car now stranded outside school until i get home later , starting to do my head in is this car:mad:

any more help and advice appreciated guys
D.
 
another update, as usual only snippets of information forthcoming from the Mrs.
on the other key route - when its been cold of late the mrs has been going out and starting the car with the hard key/master i think leaving it running then locking it with the flip key and leaving to warm up.
would this have confused ecu and immobiliser as to which key code is to be used on a daily basis???

thanks
D.
 
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Cheers Andy
Ill check those cables when I get home, but would it be Battery or earth if it cranks over but then stops after 3/4 cranks of the starter motor and then why would it start with plenty of power the next time its tried???

so the car and lock light is not immob?

frustrating while im in work and cant get to try and find out what the issue is, keep it coming though as I stumped.

Andy should I also do the jump lead to another earth method check when it doesnt start?

thanks
 
Keys usually have a chip inside, which is coded to the car.
This is detected, by a sensor near the ignition lock.
Maybe if your key has a faulty chip, this may explain the randomness.

Trying the spare key is a simple test, and doesn't cost anything.
 
Thanks guys
Ill try the other key tonight then I will get battery off and fully charge it and check the earths as suggested and report back.

but any other thoughts or anyone else with similar symptoms then let me know

cheers
D.
 
the padlock is imobiliser. bad earth can cause all sorts of issues imobiliser pas and air bag issues

high resistance will still let 12v through but place a load on it and the volts will drop along with the amps this voltage drop alters signals the car expects to see... Often the earth cable can degrade internally due to moisture ingress
 
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Thanks mate
Ill check all the above tonight and tomorrow and report back
 
Re: Strange starting problems on 08 grande punto **update

Well took the battery off the gp last night to put on charge had good voltage in and was showing nearly full on the gauge, left it over night and put it in this morning. Car starts fine so I keep it and give the mrs mine for the day, done school run , then shops then stopped off for a brew at a mates. Comes out and nothing, now when it starts the usual check lights come on and the car/padlock for a second then goes out car turns over fine when it doesn't start that padlock light stays on longer and it doesn't start. I was using the flip key but had other key with me, before I tried the other key I wanted to rule out earth issues so hooked jump lead to neg on batt and tried various places inside the bay and engine for a good earth stil wouldn't start so hopefully that illuminates the earth issue. Gets back in get 2nd key in same check lights padlock light goes off starts first time drives home turns it off use flip key starts as normal.

So now I'm confused as to what can be the problem?? Could it still be earth issue can't see how , battery is strong, no strange noises and starter turns fine, battery been off over night so that would have reset ecu.

Your thoughts guys, reluctant to go get it on computer at dealers as the fault is intermittent will it show any fault readings? Waste of cash right there plus as it is intermittent will hey start replacing stuff left right and center equaling lots of cash :bang:

Cheers
D.
 
My aunty had this on her grande. However she was stupid enough to be ripped off at a fiat dealer. About £2,000 later, they had replaced the alternator twice, battery, starter twice, several diagnostics, replaced the keys, all sorts.

In the end took it to an back street garage who said he's had a few similar issues with grande's and they've all been the earth for the ECU.

Went back to fiat, told them what the other garage has said, and im not sure what they did but the car was sorted in less than an hour!

Oh, and she ended up getting her money back for the repairs that weren't needed ;)
 
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hidden under the air box.....





to about 45 seconds....
 
Cheers fellas ill have a check tomorrow

take it off....

clean the area and crimp with wire wool or scotch brite and check the crimp where the wire is fitted for green cable.... if thats the case wire needs replacing into the plug......

ally engine top can oxidise and can cause high resistance (y)
 
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Put the flip key in the drawer and run it with the master key for a week, or until it fails to start.
In which case you'll know for certain if you have an intermittent fault with the chip in the flip.
 
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