Technical Our 5.5 hour ordeal with two month old GP Dualogic
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Technical Our 5.5 hour ordeal with two month old GP Dualogic
Having spent hours reading this thread I've come to the conclusion that you (Luvduvs) really should DEMAND of Fiat Customer Services (Turin) that they take the car back & fully refund you the purchase price - plus a couple of thousand Euro's in compensation for the horrendous aggravation caused. Speak to "Victor" or "Sam Brendan" (Both speak perfect English) on the Alfa/Fiat Turin Customer Services desk (I don't have the number from Oz)
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Tell them to read this thread & I think you will see action within 48 hours. Fiat/AR are really pushing this year to improve the previously dire attitudes of their dealers. You may be pleasantly surprised if you make the effort to speak direct to Turin. Best of luck mate. (I would seriously consider deleting the "F**king Idiots at Turin" handle before they read the saga though...............)
Mike
. Tell them to read this thread & I think you will see action within 48 hours. Fiat/AR are really pushing this year to improve the previously dire attitudes of their dealers. You may be pleasantly surprised if you make the effort to speak direct to Turin.
Best of luck mate. (I would seriously consider deleting the "F**king Idiots at Turin" handle before they read the saga though...............)Mike
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Having spent hours reading this thread I've come to the conclusion that you (Luvduvs) really should DEMAND of Fiat Customer Services (Turin) that they take the car back & fully refund you the purchase price - plus a couple of thousand Euro's in compensation for the horrendous aggravation caused. Speak to "Victor" or "Sam Brendan" (Both speak perfect English) on the Alfa/Fiat Turin Customer Services desk (I don't have the number from Oz)
Tell them to read this thread & I think you will see action within 48 hours. Fiat/AR are really pushing this year to improve the previously dire attitudes of their dealers. You may be pleasantly surprised if you make the effort to speak direct to Turin.
Mike
Wow.. you actually went through all 10 pages? (Now read this: https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-technical/82628-first-second-gear-pt1.html, then https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/103776-kangaroo-grande-punto-platypus-pt2.html)
I know you mean well, but I really can't (be bothered) going through all the pain again, its just too painful..
I've learned two things about owning a new car: [1] don't expect it to be perfect, and [2] especially if its Italian. That's why whenever something goes wrong now I just make myself feel better by saying "Yeah its Italian"
Those contacts names you provided though, I'm sure others here would find it useful
Its done it again this morning (seems very random, but its the fourth time in the last week now. This time I managed to read the entire message before it went away. It read "Check transmission.. see handbook".
When this 5.5 hours ordeal happened last year I was told it was caused by a faulty brake switch - could this be it again?
Dirty Waltzer
New member
fiatdownunder and TroyO
The outstanding problems with my Punto Sport are as follows:
Engine Flat Spot when the engine is cold in 2nd/ 3rd gear (seems to be getting worse). Same as: https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-technical/110931-flat-spot.html?highlight=flat+spot
After reading this and other posts on the issue asked the dealer to check with Fiat as there may be an ECU upgrade to fix the problem.
Result:
Trip one to the dealer - put the car on diagnostics, no fault found, reset the computer. Fault remained.
Trip two to the dealer - contacted Fiat, they said reset the computer. Fault remains.
Squealing Brakes in Reverse. Same as https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-technical/98580-brakes.html?highlight=brakes and https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-pu...rakes-sporting-multijet.html?highlight=brakes
Trip one to the dealer - they advise that this is a common fault with many types of cars and there is nothing that can be done about it, they say that they might be able to reduce it but it will come back. Result: deglazed rear discs, noise remained.
Trip two to the dealer - Advise them that there may be some new pads/ anti squeal shims/ silver grease mod to cure this problem. Result: deglazed rear discs, noise remains.:bang:
Instrument cluster surround rattling (has been discussed on these forums).
1st trip to dealer - They say they've fixed the problem but on the drive home it is still rattling.
2nd trip to dealer - suggest that cloth tape/ sound foam around the binnacle trim may cure the problem. Result: Dealer reports that they have put sound foam around the binnacle trim and the problem is now fixed. However, once again the surround is rattling away on the drive home.:bang:
How hard can it be? I take it apart myself and there is no foam tape or any other evidence that the dealer has touched it . I get some foam tape from my local auto store put it in the offending area and put it back together. Problem solved.
Suspension noise:
Same as https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-technical/105242-creaking.html?highlight=rear+suspension
Trip one to dealer: They said they couldn't replicate any suspension noise.
Trip two to dealer: Managed to get a tech to come for a ride in the car with me so I could demonstrate the creaking suspension. Told him that I was aware of other instances of these problems where it turned out to be the door locks which were the cause of the problem. I don't know exactly what he did apart from lubricating the door locks but the creaking on the left side has all but stopped. Now it's only the right side that creaks and rattles but it is no where near as noisy as before. He also was able to fix my creaking drivers seat .
My drivers side door mirror rattles when i close the door - dealer not interested.
Glove box not alligned when closed - dealer says that this is a problem with all Puntos and nothing can be done about it.
I have some other minor outstanding problems that are further down my list that I won't go into yet and some other problems have magically gone away all by themselves such as a posessed drivers side power window and some problems with warning lights.
I am not going to take it back to the dealer until the next service is due in about 10 000kms. When I do I will be sure to speak to the techs directly again as this is the only time I have been successful getting anything fixed at the dealer service department.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
DW
The outstanding problems with my Punto Sport are as follows:
Engine Flat Spot when the engine is cold in 2nd/ 3rd gear (seems to be getting worse). Same as: https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-technical/110931-flat-spot.html?highlight=flat+spot
After reading this and other posts on the issue asked the dealer to check with Fiat as there may be an ECU upgrade to fix the problem.
Result:
Trip one to the dealer - put the car on diagnostics, no fault found, reset the computer. Fault remained.
Trip two to the dealer - contacted Fiat, they said reset the computer. Fault remains.
Squealing Brakes in Reverse. Same as https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-technical/98580-brakes.html?highlight=brakes and https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-pu...rakes-sporting-multijet.html?highlight=brakes
Trip one to the dealer - they advise that this is a common fault with many types of cars and there is nothing that can be done about it, they say that they might be able to reduce it but it will come back. Result: deglazed rear discs, noise remained.
Trip two to the dealer - Advise them that there may be some new pads/ anti squeal shims/ silver grease mod to cure this problem. Result: deglazed rear discs, noise remains.:bang:
Instrument cluster surround rattling (has been discussed on these forums).
1st trip to dealer - They say they've fixed the problem but on the drive home it is still rattling.
2nd trip to dealer - suggest that cloth tape/ sound foam around the binnacle trim may cure the problem. Result: Dealer reports that they have put sound foam around the binnacle trim and the problem is now fixed. However, once again the surround is rattling away on the drive home.:bang:
How hard can it be? I take it apart myself and there is no foam tape or any other evidence that the dealer has touched it
. I get some foam tape from my local auto store put it in the offending area and put it back together. Problem solved. Suspension noise:
Same as https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-technical/105242-creaking.html?highlight=rear+suspension
Trip one to dealer: They said they couldn't replicate any suspension noise.
Trip two to dealer: Managed to get a tech to come for a ride in the car with me so I could demonstrate the creaking suspension. Told him that I was aware of other instances of these problems where it turned out to be the door locks which were the cause of the problem. I don't know exactly what he did apart from lubricating the door locks but the creaking on the left side has all but stopped
. Now it's only the right side that creaks and rattles but it is no where near as noisy as before. He also was able to fix my creaking drivers seat .My drivers side door mirror rattles when i close the door - dealer not interested.
Glove box not alligned when closed - dealer says that this is a problem with all Puntos and nothing can be done about it.
I have some other minor outstanding problems that are further down my list that I won't go into yet and some other problems have magically gone away all by themselves such as a posessed drivers side power window and some problems with warning lights.
I am not going to take it back to the dealer until the next service is due in about 10 000kms. When I do I will be sure to speak to the techs directly again as this is the only time I have been successful getting anything fixed at the dealer service department.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
DW
Luvduvs said: "I've learned two things about owning a [COLOR=#f77e1d! important][FONT=verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif][COLOR=#f77e1d! important][FONT=verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif]new [/font][COLOR=#f77e1d! important][FONT=verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif]car[/font][/color][/font][/color][/color]: [1] don't expect it to be perfect, and [2] especially if its Italian. That's why whenever something goes wrong now I just make myself feel better by saying "Yeah its Italian" "
It could be worse mate. You could have lived in the old East Germany & had to drive a smoking 20 year old cardboard bodied Trabant. You could have bought a "German" BMW Z3 or Z4 - made in South Carolina USA, or you could have bought A VW Golf R32 - made in Bratislava!
Italian cars were once reknowned for 2 things: Rust (Alfasud) & electrical problems. With galvanised bodywork the first problem has long gone away. The second remains to a minor extent. But is interesting to note that the majority of "white goods" (Fridges/Freezers/Washing Machines & Dishwashers) sold in Europe are all manufactured in Italy!
You understandably have had enough hassle, but why don't you just make that one last effort to complain directly to Fiat Customer Services in Turin?
In early August I bought an ex-demo Fiat GPS 130 & was not happy with the paint finish on the front bumper. One call to Fiat UK CS & I was told to take the car to a local bodyshop then send the invoice to the supplying dealer. I did that & received a cheque by return post .
Then mid-August I also bought an ex-demo Alfa Brera (unseen - over the 'phone). I was told (the day before I travelled 200 miles to collect the car) by the Dealer Principal that 2 brand new tyres had been fitted. That wasn't the case. The dealer had quite simply (confessed to me by the salesman the next day!) swapped the VERY worn front wheels to the rear & robbed another demo car of it's wheels/tyres (worn) to put on the front of mine!
I telephoned AR UK CS who raised a case number. Within a week AR TURIN (not UK) arranged for 2 brand new Bridgestones to be fitted at my home. On the day they were to be fitted I had a telephone call 30 mins before the fitter arrived from "Victor" in Turin to forewarn me. 3 hours later Victor 'phoned me again to make sure I was happy - then signed the case off.
You surely can't get better service than I have had? I refuse to talk to UK dealers other than a POLITE initial 'phone call to try & resolve an issue. When they refuse (as happened in both my cases) then that is what the Fiat/Alfa Customer Services Dept is for. Talk to them man:bang: . They are only human & would be mortified to read this saga. But delete your "F**king Idiots in Turin" logo first!!
The sensible alternative of course is to just sell the car & buy another brand. (Out of the frying pan into the fire?).
"It could be worse mate. You could have lived in the old East Germany & had to drive a smoking 20 year old cardboard bodied Trabant. You could have bought a "German" BMW Z3 or Z4 - made in South Carolina USA, or you could have bought A VW Golf R32 - made in Bratislava!
Italian cars were once reknowned for 2 things: Rust (Alfasud) & electrical problems. With galvanised bodywork the first problem has long gone away. The second remains to a minor extent. But is interesting to note that the majority of "white goods" (Fridges/Freezers/Washing Machines & Dishwashers) sold in Europe are all manufactured in Italy!
You understandably have had enough hassle, but why don't you just make that one last effort to complain directly to Fiat Customer Services in Turin?
In early August I bought an ex-demo Fiat GPS 130 & was not happy with the paint finish on the front bumper. One call to Fiat UK CS & I was told to take the car to a local bodyshop then send the invoice to the supplying dealer. I did that & received a cheque by return post
.Then mid-August I also bought an ex-demo Alfa Brera (unseen - over the 'phone). I was told (the day before I travelled 200 miles to collect the car) by the Dealer Principal that 2 brand new tyres had been fitted. That wasn't the case. The dealer had quite simply (confessed to me by the salesman the next day!) swapped the VERY worn front wheels to the rear & robbed another demo car of it's wheels/tyres (worn) to put on the front of mine!
I telephoned AR UK CS who raised a case number. Within a week AR TURIN (not UK) arranged for 2 brand new Bridgestones to be fitted at my home. On the day they were to be fitted I had a telephone call 30 mins before the fitter arrived from "Victor" in Turin to forewarn me. 3 hours later Victor 'phoned me again to make sure I was happy - then signed the case off.
You surely can't get better service than I have had? I refuse to talk to UK dealers other than a POLITE initial 'phone call to try & resolve an issue. When they refuse (as happened in both my cases) then that is what the Fiat/Alfa Customer Services Dept is for. Talk to them man:bang: . They are only human & would be mortified to read this saga. But delete your "F**king Idiots in Turin" logo first!!
The sensible alternative of course is to just sell the car & buy another brand. (Out of the frying pan into the fire?).
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I totally agree with mike, i've read through all the stuff and it seems you do a hell of alot of bitchin but no complaining. Not where it matter anyway.
Re: fiatdownunder and TroyO
For rear discs models there is a kit available that fits onto the caliper to prevent this noise.
Door draught tape is ideal for cluster binacle rattle,works perfect....house is still draughty tho
Trip one to the dealer - they advise that this is a common fault with many types of cars and there is nothing that can be done about it, they say that they might be able to reduce it but it will come back. Result: deglazed rear discs, noise remained.
Trip two to the dealer - Advise them that there may be some new pads/ anti squeal shims/ silver grease mod to cure this problem. Result: deglazed rear discs, noise remains.:bang:
Instrument cluster surround rattling (has been discussed on these forums).
1st trip to dealer - They say they've fixed the problem but on the drive home it is still rattling.
2nd trip to dealer - suggest that cloth tape/ sound foam around the binnacle trim may cure the problem. Result: Dealer reports that they have put sound foam around the binnacle trim and the problem is now fixed. However, once again the surround is rattling away on the drive home.:bang:
How hard can it be? I take it apart myself and there is no foam tape or any other evidence that the dealer has touched it
For rear discs models there is a kit available that fits onto the caliper to prevent this noise.
Door draught tape is ideal for cluster binacle rattle,works perfect....house is still draughty tho
Dirty Waltzer
New member
Door draught tape is ideal for cluster binacle rattle,works perfect....house is still draughty tho
That's the stuff that I used. It works a treat and it wasn't that hard to pull the binnacle trim off to apply the tape. There were a few anxious moments when I was pulling it apart though, as I wan't quite sure what I was in for.
I don't suppose that you have the part number for that kit? Maybe I can research its existance in Australia directly with Fiat?
Cheers.
DW
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For sure, I'm definitely a lot luckier than other GPers in terms of faults, so if someone was to complain I wouldn't be anywhere near the front of the queue.
So you're saying I should make one last complaint, but is that based on the initial incident almost a year ago, or the recent error flashes? If its the former, don't you think its a bit late for it now? If its for the latter, don't you think its bit over the top for a complete refund and compensation? If its the former + the latter, wouldn't it be more reasonable to go down this path after I've had my first service and had it checked out by T's tech mate here in Sydney?
I admit I have bitched, but I have also complained, twice, both of which didn't get me very far.
As I've said in my other posts, I really can't be bothered anymore because there are far too many other important things in life than to worry about a piece of machine. If there's a problem, yes I'll raise it (which I am), but its very different to just bitching about it.
He says no....he's heard all about you:devil:
(he will be on the pi*s all weekend so i dont expect to hear back from him till early next week!)
Just happened again
It seems to be happening quite frequently now (i.e. every time I drive it)..
Turbodiesel
New member
I come back to see what's happening and oh look... nothing's changed
I come back to see what's happening and oh look... nothing's changed
:yeahthat:
Have you heard back from your mate T?
