Please Help: I have a 1999 Fiat Punto 1.2 16v punto sporting that is giving me a complete nightmare. When the car is running it is great but getting started can be a problem. When I go a short journey & try to start soon afterwards it usually fails to start. I need to leave the car anything between 10 minutes to an hour & then bingo it starts first turn of the key. When it fails to start it turns as normal & no warning lights are on, it will start with a bump. It always starts its just a matter of sitting & waiting. Ive checked the full forum and found nothing similar. There must be somebody out there who can help ??? It always starts from cold its only when you stop after travelling.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Donny

could be a fuel problem ???? get ecu checked for problems it will tell where fault is ??????

A number of cars used to have that problem which was usually caused by the fuel evaporating in carb but not sure with injection. Try switching on leave a short time before moving key to start or pumping accellerator a couple of times before starting. Tansy

Thanks for advice, with regard to punto man reply I also suspected fuel at first but as it bump starts easily I thought the fuel must be okay ? Ive tried to get ECU checked but local diagnostic guy could not read it.

As for Tansy reply I have tried all different permatations of starting, ie holding key in set positions longer & shorter but no trend.

Anyway guys thanks again, looks like Im going to end up at Fial main dealer, aHHH Nightmare

Try having your battery and alternator checked usually free in most places, this is the cheapest option to start with. Does sound suspiciously like the fuel pump though

Sensible mods go far

donnyboy any body should be able to read the ecu if not they are not using the right equipment you should not bump start it will damage the cat badley

Once again thanks for all the advice. Took it to Fiat main dealer last week & they completed diagnostic check & discovered I had a faulty TDC RPM SENSOR, part number 46774532. They charged me 145 pound but it was worth it as the car is now problem free again. Hope this might help somebody else in the future.