Hi Panda Lovers

Just picked up my new 1.2 POP - just released in Oz (yay) have done 500km - everything ticking along nicely - had the mysterious H symbol in the display - it disappeared at exactly 200km (was happy to read this on here aswell) the only other "thing" thats happening is when i start up for the first time the engine doesnt start - it shudders as if fuel starved, this only happens on the first start up of the day ( is fuel draining backwards overnight?) , if i wait a second with ignition lights on and then crank the engine it starts perfectly.
Im not too bothered but would like anyone elses thoughts, ideas/experiences. I have owned a few Fiats and Alfas so am aware of their personalities
Thanks and Panda-on!!!!

Hi Myhotpunto,

Awesome you have a new Panda! Can't help with the starting thing, mine is ok.

See you around the forum

Thanks! It may sort itself out, the dealer i purchased from knows 00 about Fiat's as they are a new dealer and specialise in Jeep/Chrysler so i will take it my trustee Fiat/Alfa specialist- they have been around for centuries, oz Fiat/Alfa dealers are the same as UK ones - all the gear and no idea.....?

Hi Myhotpunto,

I am kind of surprised to read this given that you are in Oz, unless you are suffering from rain and very cold temperatures?!

I'm not entirely sure your issue is the same as the one I have had before with our old 1.2 500 or 1.2 Panda; basically if the weather started getting a bit colder then it would sometimes require the key to be turned a little bit longer in order for it to fire up (irrespective of whether you waited for the various dash lights to go out).

This 500 thread from 2010 is quite useful in explaining the issue that I and other 500 drivers seemed to experience:
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/253334-cold-start-stumbles.html

However both cars would always go first time, but they would "stumble" a bit before firing up. I never saw it as anything other than a little quirk as it never caught me out.

If it is something that happens regularly enough when you start from cold, then it would be really handy if you could video it and then post it?

Other than that, the only question I have at this stage is exactly how long you turn the ignition key for on those first occasions when the problem occurs?

Hi Super Uwe

Thanks for your great reply.
Its hot here so we cant blame cold or wet- unfortunatley.

It happenes just as the engine tried to start, there is no lengthy cranking time either and then it never does it again until the next morning?... Could it be low quality or incorrect fuel grade? I only use 98 RON but the dealer had probably filled it with unleaded 91 RON (unfortunatley the "she'll be right mate") attitude is still alive and well here............much mine and im sure many other peoples frustration, i even told him not to fill it that id prefer to do it myself.
I filled it with 98 yesterday and it was a little more compliant today- if its a quirk thats ok but im kind of hoping that by 1000km (first service /check) it will have sorted itself out and just start straightaway, without even waiting for warning lights to go out.
I will video it and post if it continues.

Many many thanks

BTW - love this forum great work!!

Hi, and welcome,

silly question - when you turn the key for the 1st time do you hear the fuel pump run..?? ( buzz / humm from under rear seat)

the pump priming SHOULD be enough to counter ANY drainback / depressurisation,

again,
do let us know how the next few days go,

Charlie

Hi Charlie

Thanks and yes you can hear the pump - when i let that finish it starts perfectly with no shudder etc its just if i get in and turn key straight away it protests, today it didnt shudder it just didnt turn over -?with second crank /attempt it was fine, im hoping fuel was also the answer ?

I am monitoring it and will keep posting- im going to indonesia for a few days tomorrow so will re post on weekend when im back in Perth.

Thanks again (to all) for your comments/advice/input, its very much appreciated.

No worries,
if it didn't crank.. then it's more than a fuel issue,

try and study the dash lights when it does this, see if battery / oil symbols DIM,
etc,,
are you Perth itself, or outskirts..?,

have good trip,
Charlie

Yeah, does sound like a bit of an odd one doesn't it?

From what you have described, the issue isn't the same as the one I posted (which is no surprise really as you said it isn't cold, haha!).

As Charlie says, it's good practice to wait for the lights to go out/fuel pump to prime, but in all honesty it shouldn't really make any difference to starting the 1.2.

If you have got a service check coming up soon, then I think it would probably be best to try and arrange to leave it with the dealer overnight, and then come back the following morning so that both you and the dealer can replicate the fault. Appreciate that might not be convenient at all, but I do think it would help.

If you can replicate the fault then with any luck the dealer will be able to sort it out. But I know replicating the fault is half the problem!

All the best anyway - and yeah, if you are able to post a vid then I'm sure the real "experts" on here will be able to help out too. I do not consider myself one of them!

Hi guys

Im in Perth city. Ok will keep a close eye and get back to you on the weekend.
REALLY appreciate your time and knowledge! ?

Thanks again! ?

Hi All

Back from Indonesia, took panda for a spin last night after sitting for 4 days, i turned ifnition and waited till lights went out and as predicted he started perfectly HOWEVER i will keep my ears and eyes on him and log any shudders he has, saw this for sale on the side of the road in Denpasar - its in surprisingly good condition and still has its original badges intact!

Merry christmas Panda People

Well im at 1000 km and first service/check is booked.

The cold start issue is still an "issue" heres this mornings happening- no shudder today just didnt turnover until second attempt but yesterday it was shudders all round, ill keep videoing.
Im guessing the dealer will just say things are fine (as they do) im hoping a fault has been logged...
Thanks and hope to hear from all of you soon!

I cant add video- help!

Hi All

Well as predicted the dealer has said no faults have been logged and car is running fine..... I will take it to my Fiat/Alfa specialist who i know will find and sort this small issue out in the blink of an eye!

Ive found an italian forum that has other owners reporting the same issue on their cars (1.2 8v FIRE) engines, saying that it is a faulty part in the starter motor and only gives trouble on a cold start. ?

Ill post more info when my mechanic checks it out.

www.autopareri.com

Hi,
I've just joined this forum after reading your post because I am experiencing the same problem with my 2012 Fiat Panda 1.4 petrol engine (Novo Uno Way in Argentina) that I have recently bought.
Although the car already had 38,000km on the clock it was in impeccable condition and i am really happy with it except for the first start of the day. The engine doesn't quite catch when I turn the key and when it does fire up it momentarily struggles to hold the revs (as if about to stall) then its fine!
I thought that maybe its either the starter motor, the automatic choke or possibly the spark plugs?
Argentinian mechanics have the same 'no pasa nada' attitude to the ones in oz as its really not a big problem and only happens on the first start.
So Im very interested to learn what you discover to arm myself with some facts before i take mine in.
Cheers.

Hi Andy Mcpanda and fellow Panda people!

WELL!!!!! Here goes.....

I took my car to the dealer where i purchased it from for its first service/check (1000km) i specifically told them (not that i should have to) to run a full diagnostic check and check for any updates, they said yes and that it would take a few hours including the check over, after 45 minutes i was called and told car is ready no faults no errors logged and no update required and my car is running fine?!?!?!
I have 4 videos of the engine shuddering and not turning over , i dont think thats "fine"!!!

I drove the car to my Fiat/Alfa specialist and showed them my video and they both said the same thing UPDATE OR ERRORS.

I left the car with them and guess what?

The computer was full of errors! They said they had not pre delivered it properly and had messed around with connections hence all the ERROR messages, they cleared and re-callibrated and the car has started first time everytime (like it should ?)

I've only had it back a week and have not had any problems and dont think i am going to infact it even runs and sounds better.

The dealer has reached a new level of incompetence and i will NEVER EVER go back to them - not even for warranty (id rather pay for something to be done right - the first time) i had problems with them for a faulty seat belt sensor and dashboard light cluster in my 500 and lnew then that they were a bunch of idiots- they care more about selling chryslers and jeeps than the Fiats and AR's they are selling!!!

Let me know how you go and good luck.

WE❤?

Wow, sounds good and bad in equal measures!

But pleased to hear it is all sorted now, and hopefully will stay that way. As you say, it doesn't sound like you can trust your dealer from now on.

Are you able to contact Fiat Customer Services in Australia at all? If so, I'd recommend doing it as frankly the level of service you have described from the dealer is pathetic. It's important that stuff like this is recorded centrally if possible.

Thanks Super Uwe ☺

I have tried to contact Fiat Oz, the website has 0.00 help apart from roadside assistance and customer contact number who (i assume) is a large call centre that handles multiple manufacturers and has no knowledge and just tell you to email, i have previously lodged a complaint about the dealership to an email address they gave me and i heard nothing at all back, not even an rmail received acknowledgement- so its a case of "deaf ears"- shame, because Fiat has only been back for a short time in Oz and its hardly the way to go about relaunching the brand ?still i love them and the Panda i also wish they (Fiat) would start some Panda advertising as i dont think Panda's are smashing any sales records here although all the reviews of them rate them as fantastic!! 500 and Freemont are the big sellers Puntos never really took off here either (as much as it pains me to say) Alfa is popular though.

Thanks again for all the advice Super uwe

Safe panda-ing to all and ill cruize the forum again soon!!