Hi everyone,

Strange one, wondering if anyone else has experience of...

For a few months now, the Punto has caughed and "choked" on starting, especially first thing when its cold. If you stop, and then start again it usually starts fine.

Anyway, it is now completely dead. Im pretty sure it isnt a battery issue. The central locking seems strong, as do the lights.

Going to see if I can hear the fuel pump prime, and also check some the fuses, but wondering if its likely to be the SM, and if so if there is a DIY anywhere to locate and change it?

:s

Might be MAP sensor, not getting right mix of fuel and air which obviously is important when starting.

so, bit of an update:


-Car was chocking a bit on cranking, like the starter motor wasn’t engaging
-then failed to start at all, we think it showed the airbag warning light
-battery then quickly drained, so that central looking didn’t work

-I replaced battery with good new Varta one, central locking, lights, radio etc have returned strong
-we now have the immobiliser light and I cant start the car, cant hear a fuel pump prime etc

-have read on here that it might be a bad earth issue, so guess i could look at the various earthing points and clean them up

Any advice on what else it might be is greatly appreciated - note that it doesnt start either the spare key either.

I'm having the same issue with my car mate......When i start it up in the morning it coughs then starts, with a high rev then gradually drops. If i leave the car for about 5 hours it will start fine, but if i leave it longer it will cough on startup again.

Let me know if you find out what causes the problem