Hi my daughter has a 2002 1.2 8 valve punto. A few weeks ago it became difficult to start and finally last week would not start at all.

The problem was looked at by a mobile mechanic with computer digagnostic equipment. It came up with 8 different fault codes all relating to starting. (I am not a technical person so I dont understand what they mean) 3 of the faults were open circuit on injecters on coils and 2 on some other sensors related to starting. The guy said he had not seen so many faults at 1 time before. He got some advice from someone he knows at RAC technical dept and decided it was the ECU.

Bought new ECU and coils which were fitted this Saturday afternoon and the car started first time. He put it on dignostic computer again and all fault codes had cleared. Ran the engine for about 15mins and it seemed fine.

Went to start it yesterday and it was a little hesitant to start but did. Drove it round for about 5 miles ran perfectly. This morning it wont start at all.

Any ideas?

I would be looking to see if your getting any spark from start up, if no could be a faulty crank shaft sensor, also check the cambelt and make sure its still in place and is tight so no chance of jumped some teeth.

My Sympathy! - Been there, got the Tee shirt. It seemed to me that (in the midst of various mechanics attempts to find my cars fault) that fault codes don't "clear themselves" but have to be cleared out when the diagnostic tool is connected to your ECU!

Hi
Thanks Forty and everone.

When the new ECU was fitted on Saturday he cleared down the faults before attempting to start. It then started first time no problem, with no faults showing. I have now spent £400.00 on parts and labour and am back to square 1.


I will get the mechanic to check the cam belt etc.

did you rev it to 5k revs 3 times when you fit new ecu?

dave said:

did you rev it to 5k revs 3 times when you fit new ecu?

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No. Mechanic who fitted it used diagnostic computer to clear codes after he fitted it and it started ok. What do I do now!

Is it turning over or is there nothing..

Punto.Power said:

Is it turning over or is there nothing..

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No it turns over ok.
It seems to be the same problem that was there before I had the new coils and ECU fitted at weekend.

For a few weeks the car had been difficult to start but would start eventually. It got progressively worse then would not startat all. Diagnostics showed 8 fault codes as I previously mentioned. Technician said it was ECU which we re-placed along with coils. The car started first time.
Next day problem was back.

software update

T14086 said:

software update

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Sorry not sure what that means, I thought the ECU just set itself to the car.

There is a software update for the ecu for starting.....ask your dealer if your car falls within the chassis numbers.

T14086 said:

There is a software update for the ecu for starting.....ask your dealer if your car falls within the chassis numbers.

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Hi thanks for that - I will ask them. Would the car have to go to the main dealer for this update, if so any idea of the cost?

when ever a non main dealer says its your ecu i would always advise taking it to dealer and paying the £30 for a diag to confirm, too many shark garages just say oh its ecu when they dont have a clue what is realy wrong