Technical 2006 Panda 1.2 Cold Start Problem

[Bobfreeman]

Hi All

First post and already asking for help......

I have just bought a 2006/56 1.2 Panda with 20K on the clock. Great car but a pain to start from cold. It fires but stops almost immediately - you have to start it many times before it will idle without throttle - the last time I got quite a bit of smoke and a sneeze (sounded cute) but generally it just fires and stops unless you catch it on the pedal

Seems okay when hot - any ideas gratefully received! :worship: :worship:

Bob

 

[R1NGA]

My 2006/06 4x4 1.2 has done the same a few times. The ignition key switch is very sensitive and it happens when I 'overshoot' kinda by accident and the starter perhaps turns over briefly, as I was trying to find the IGN ON position, not Start. If I turn on only, leave a second or so (you can hear the fuel pump running etc) and then do a positive START, it will be just fine.

Overshoot, rattle the starter by accident, try again, find the autolock preventing it, switch off, switch back on again and it will do what you describe. Cough, smoke and general ugliness.

I now take care to IGN ON only, wait 2 secs, then start.

Simples.

Phil

 

[bedbug]

my nearly new 1.2 panda won't start if you try to 'rush' it...will just turn over and over on the starter without firing...if you fluff the start seems you must turn back to position 0 and try again as per the reply above, wait briefly for the fuel pump to do its thing before trying to start...

 

[greyridertoo]

Hi All

First post and already asking for help......

I have just bought a 2006/56 1.2 Panda with 20K on the clock. Great car but a pain to start from cold.......

Has it ever been serviced? Ours starts first churn every time, has from first buying the thing - dip clutch pedal first though, Fiat recommendation. Non starters don't last long here, straight to a garage for sorting. Points to consider; plugs, timing, air filter,mixture - but I'd be inclined to take it back to where you bought it or at last to a mechanic.

 

[SurreyAlan]

Points? Haven't seen any of those since I was a lad.

 

[greyridertoo]

Points? Haven't seen any of those since I was a lad.

Too early, didn't write fully what I was thinking.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Points? Haven't seen any of those since I was a lad.

lol.

Main issue I'd think that could be causing this is probably spark plugs.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

dip clutch pedal [when starting engine] first though, Fiat recommendation.

Actually, this is good practice with any vehicle. In fact, some latest Toyota's will not let you start them unless you do. Nothing to do with the problem here, but it reduces 'drag' of cold gearbox etc putting strain on the starter. WIth many tractors and similar, they won't start without clutch down, as a safety precaution to prevent them moving as the starter turns.

As to the problem, is there some sort of temperature sensor to enrich the 'mixture' (or at least the amount of fuel injected) when engine's cold -- presume if that fails, starting would be more difficult.

 

[Bobfreeman]

Hi - thanks for this - gave it a try but no luck, just the same, but really appreciate the help. Bob

 

[Bobfreeman]

Hi. Thanks for the suggestions - serviced a 100 miles ago and new plugs fitted (well charged for at least). I'm beginning to think it may be a sensor or something not reading right as it starts fine when hot. When cold it fires, but won't idle, so I assume somthing is preventing fast idle kicking in? I bought it from an auction as it is ex-motability and had a service at Nationwide Autocentre as it was due. Any thoughts?

Bob

 

[greyridertoo]

Check the plug gap. Take it back to the autocentre?