Hi,

Firstly apologies for my lack of any real technical knowledge on anything under the bonnet of a car... I know theres an engine in there and where to pour the washer fluid... about sums it up!

Had an on-going intermittent fault for at least 18 months... had a mechanic look at it and it appears its something to do with the belt and the air con compressor pulley which I think leads to the alternator? Could be wrong... anyway if you watch the attached video you'll get the idea whats going on...
http://youtu.be/-gUSeg8D8_U

Problems happens on first start up now and then... sometimes not for weeks then its back. When it happens from in the car you can hear a high pitched "growling" noise... gets higher pitch as you rev but after a mile it disappears. The squealing of the belt is rare...usually turning the engine off, leaving it for 2 mins and back on sorts it. This high pitched noise as you rev after initially starting the car is more common.

Anyway I've lived with it but yesterday things got a lot more severe... car had been sat over night at work while I was away on business, started it up in the evening and the belt squealed etc... took quite a few turn off / on to get it to stop. Noticed this time once it did stop the battery indicator on the dashboard stayed on...

After 10 mins into the journey the power steering cuts out... then my dashboard lights up like Blackpool illuminations, ABS failure, ESP failure, EBD, Hillholder, etc etc, basically everything... even the display reset. Power steering seemed to kick in intermittently when I was driving, but failed soon as I stopped in traffic.

To make matters worse yesterday the M62 around Leeds was closed in both directions so traffic everywhere was a nightmare... can imagine what fun it was expecting it to clap out at any moment.

Managed to drive all the way home... even the speedometer packed in 5 mins from my house. Once I got home turned the engine off... won't turn back on now.

Wondered if anyone had experienced anything like this with their Grande Punto? Assuming the electrical failures due to the battery not charging from the alternator? Or do you suspect worse?

Getting it looked at Monday just wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction of what I should be pointing out the the mechanic...

Thanks
Matt.

- Should mention its a 06 Grande Punto 1.4 16V Sporting w/Dual Climate Control (should that make a difference).

All your electrical problems are very well known and due to a lack of battery charge.

Your battery is low because your alternator isn't working properly. Its run by the same belt as the aircon, either the aircon compressor or the alternator bearings are knackered causing lots of friction and the belt to slip.

You will need to get the faulty compressor or alternator sorted, probably best replace the belt whilst your at it. The battery may or may not be recoverable with a good slow charge. Consider replacing it.

Have a search on this forum. Loads of alternator related threads.

As above, you need to find out if its alternator or AC compressor bearings which have had it.

Thanks both... doesn't sound as horrendously expensive to fix as maybe I imagined...

mattahchoo said:

Thanks both... doesn't sound as horrendously expensive to fix as maybe I imagined...

Click to expand...

Have you priced up an OEM alternator? Several people have had issues with pattern parts.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Have you priced up an OEM alternator? Several people have had issues with pattern parts.

Click to expand...

And an aircon compressor is even more! £600 to £1000 all in roughly.

When you get which ever one has failed... Replace the scuttle drain for the newer bent version or it will happen again...

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-pu...ernator-leading-snapped-belt-3.html?p=2873805