Bit of a strange issue this, one of a couple of issues with this car. They may all be related but let me describe this one first.

- I turn the key in the ignition and the car doesn't start. Engine lights come on but the starter motor doesn't turn over. Dead

- pull the gearstick over to the right and turn the key and the car fires up straight away (i discovered this by luck rather than judgement).

-turn key to off position and remove key but engine stays running until I move the gearstick over and the engine then cuts out.

-Once I've done this a couple of times the engine sort of starts turning over without doing the thing where I move the gearstick but engine is sluggish and doesn't rev, sounds similar to when you run a car minus a sparkplug.

-Engine Mil light is on and remains on.

I had this problem about 3 weeks ago but had cleared itself, warning light included, by the time I got to the car the next morning



As well as this issue I have the problem a few forum users have experienced where full beams stay on when you select dip.

I also had someone behind me flashing as if to say my rear lights weren't working or that my indicator was on but I pulled over and checked, all seemed to be working ok (!?) but i assume something was up with them.

I've read a few similar threads and the solution problem seems to be bad earth or water/corrosion in fusebox, I'll look at these when I get back to my car(car left at work as couldn't drive home with no lights or perm full beams)

Wondering if anyone has any specific input as to why the car starts perfectly when I move the gear shift to the right. Why is that?

Also hoping someone could offer guidance when checking the earths and fuses, which ones to look at etc.


Thanks in advance for any input

Forgot to mention, it's an '06 Grande Punto 1.2 Petrol

Here is a video of the fault in question.

[ame]https://youtu.be/OsO1bvB9bJw[/ame]

Ok... this is new I have to say. Never seen something like that lol.

I cannot see how gear stick to the right can mess with anything related to engine starting.
I'm assuming something is moving with the force of the selector on the gearbox ?!

Can you start the car with the clutch in ? (just to make sure this is not a gearbox related problem)

Read this on how to find ground points

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/169204-grande-punto-engine-bay-earthing-points.html

Make sure the cable is in good shape too not only the connections.

And yes, remove the fusebox completely and inspect for water/corrosion.

That's possibly one of the strangest faults I've ever seen. I've nothing to suggest other than checking the earth connection on the gearbox, I think it's just under the clutch slave cylinder (there is a guide on this somewhere). Perhaps it is disturbed when moving the gear selector as they are both quite close to one another. Also... try taking your fuse box apart and gently blow-drying the fuses, relays and board itself. Even the slightest bit of moisture in there could trigger something. You could try bypassing the earth strap with a jump lead (battery negative pole to engine block, or perhaps even the gearbox itself in your case?) to see if this cures it. If it'll start when bypassing the earth strap, it's a decent bet the earth strap to gearbox it at fault. Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

I would suspect an earth issue, moving the gear lever could be helping the earth strap make a connection. I remember similar on a Vauxhall Viva years ago, it would only start with the clutch pressed, it was earthing through the clutch cable believe it or not!

Thanks for the response and the advice. It's very helpful to me and is much appreciated. I've only had the car a couple of months and although this is my first post I've used the forum a few times to sort out little faults with the car. It's been the most useful resource I've found.

I think I'll investigate the earth point by the clutch first. Had a quick look last night but looks like a bit of a swine to get to. Got a couple of turns on it without disconnecting the clutch slave cylinder but I think I'll have to spend a bit of time doing properly.
I'll test it today with my jump leads as suggested by msted89.

Cmosfxx - the car starts fine with the clutch in. Clutch in or out doesn't seem to make a difference.

Digger58- sounds like a similar problem. Other than yourself, I haven't spoken to anyone else that has had a problem like it. I think you might be right though. Seems to be a bit of a consensus pointing to that particular earth point. Will explore all possibilities though.

Thanks again.

As above when you go for reverse you earth via the gear switch

Try a jump lead from battery negative to the gear box as per the FAQ electrical gremlin thread in the stickies at the top of the gp section

Hi Yellow Calx,
The earth lead is a good suggestion, but also check for the gear linkage fouling a cable loom. I think your car uses the same type of cable operating system as the Croma (my car R32 gearbox). On the Croma a couple of people have had a loom to the junction box foul the linkage with weird results. It's behind / under the battery box.

Robert G8RPI.