Technical Fiat Idea 1.4 2005

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Technical Fiat Idea 1.4 2005

GRBASF

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Hi!

I've recently purchased a 2005 1.4 Idea Eleganza with the automatic gearbox. I've recently noticed some juddering pulling away in first gear. Any ideas what it could be? Would anybody know what mileage the cam belt should be replaced on this 1.4 16v? we have 78,000 miles at present, but don't have any service history on the vehicle to check if it's been done.

Thanks for your help
GRBASF
 
It is definitely worth getting the cambelt done if you have no history.

Fiat have a couple of different types of automatic gear box so can't offer too many suggestions, maybe a full service including gearbox is on the cards ?
 
Thank you for your reply MOST EASTERLY PANDAS


The thought of the clutch needing replacing as well as the cam belt kit makes me shudder at the possible cost involved. Will have to book into our local garage - not a Main Dealer I cannot afford their prices!

Is it a straight forward clutch repair, what is a gear box re-calibration?


GRBASF
 
Unfortunatly its the cost of running a car, and both are expected wear and tear :(

Belt I'd expect about £200-£260 from a good indepentant, that price should include water pump also which you should have done at the same time.

Gearbox re-calibration is exactly what it says on the tin, resets all the tolerances, a good indepntant Fiat specialist will be able to do it, but not many general back street garages. Could get the clutch done and then take it to be re-calibrated though somewhere else.
 
Thank you FAR EASTERN PANDAS

You are spot on with your price range for cam belt replacement my independent garage quotes £220 supplied and fitted, and I have booked it in for that repair Monday 10th June,2013.

Have you any idea (sorry for the pun!) how much a clutch repair/replacement would be, so that I know what I am facing if that is the garage's diagnosis to rectify the juddering I am experiencing from a standing start.

GRBASF
 
Thank you FAR EASTERN PANDAS

I will ask my independent garage on Monday 10th June,1013 when I book in the car for a gear box re-calibration, together with an oil change and filter plus any requirement for filling up automatic transmission fluids. Together, of course with the supply and fitting of Cam Belt kit.
Alson examine and report on "juddering" of clutch from a standing start.


I will report the outcome to you. Incidentally, I'm from Middlesbrough,Cleveland
 
I have now had the cam belt kit fitted at an independent garage, plus oil change,filter and flush. Cost £258. They recommended I go to a Fiat specialist to get the "Judder" I was experiencing diagnosed as it was beyond their experitise on this automatic Duologic Gearbox.

This I did, and,despite the initial negative reaction to my enquiry on the telephone they carried out diagnostic testing charging me a reasonable £36. They said they had not found out anything wrong on the ECU neither clutch nor gearbox nor could they simulate the "Juddering" I was complaing about despite road testing for 6/7 miles and trying the following morning from a cold start. Only a slight judder was found on reversing into the garage premises the previous evening. Chatting to the mechanic he was not impressed by this Fiat Gear Box, and stating it was unpredictable, and he personally would not buy this model.

Where do I go from here? Any ideas? Presumably they checked the transmission levels of oil for the Gearbox?

GRBASF
 
Don't nessecarily assume they checked the CS Speed fluid level. Did they say they did? Did they purge the system of any air that for whatever reason may have got into it :confused:

I'm going to look at one of these for a friend, any advice on potential trouble spots?
I'm used to FIAT's and have owned Mk2 punto's ,
so am partially prepared.., ;)
TIA,
Charlie
 
I'm going to look at one of these for a friend, any advice on potential trouble spots?
I'm used to FIAT's and have owned Mk2 punto's ,
so am partially prepared.., ;)
TIA,
Charlie

Take it for a good test drive, start off gently, then a few hard accelerates. Do a few slow move offs (as though crawling in traffic) and check it remains smooth.
 
car purchased ( by a neighbour) ,
all seems good,
1 question.. it appears to have a front-screen heater button ( + rear screen button)

BUT I don't see the fine wires like in a FORD,
how does it work..??,
Charlie

It's just a mode within climate control, max blowers and AC on front screen.
 
cheers MEP,


it's an 05 eleganza, under 30K, for less that £1500,
seemed too good to pass by, ( as NOT "Tango'd..!!")

a couple of silly niggles = airbag inop message appearing .. probably related to the poor battery on it ( low miles /lack of use),
are this age still lacking the wiring clips under front pass. seat..??

Charlie
 
car purchased ( by a neighbour) ,
all seems good,
1 question.. it appears to have a front-screen heater button ( + rear screen button)

BUT I don't see the fine wires like in a FORD,
how does it work..??,
Charlie

I don't believe it has a "heated screen" its a front screen desist on the climate control pannel so when you press the button it defaults all the controls to best settings to clear the screen, so air con on set to windscreen only fan on full recirculate turned off etc

I seem to think the idea has a lot of air bag issues much the same as the punto. If its front seat related usually the warning will flash on and off. If it's constantly on then like a punto you'll need to check the fault codes
 
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I seem to think the idea has a lot of air bag issues much the same as the punto. If its front seat related usually the warning will flash on and off. If it's constantly on then like a punto you'll need to check the fault codes

That surprises me, I thought the Idea used the same running gear as the facelift Stilo which has fewer airbag faults occur than the original model.
 
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