Hi all,

Well here we go, my first question about my Punto (two days after purchase )

How can I remove the gear lever (selector)... it's a 2001 Speedgear (CVT)... I want to remove the chromed shifter surround and paint it or cover it. (It reflects in the windscreen and I think excess chrome looks tacky!)

Although the surround pops off easily, the lever/knob cannot fit through the hole or slot that it slides in. I've looked in around the bottom with a torch but can't decide what to try and undo (very little access).

The flaking-chrome button popped off the top of the lever easily - I cannot believe that the dealers want $93 (35 pounds!) for this part. I shall probably paint it.

Hopefully someone here, maybe the ones who work at FIAT dealers (?), may have taken the lever off and be able to give me some pointers.

Thanks!
-Alex

pop the chrome round thing off
click pic for better view

nice shades

T14086 said:

nice shades

Click to expand...

they abarth ones from main dealer

did they see you take them Saw a set of 3 Fiat pencils (in gift box!) for £12.99 in dealer other day but I'm only allowed crayons

i no nicked um, cost lots money they did

should of haggled for a free pencil

actually can you get me the part number for a screw, one side is held on with fuse wire now

cant buy screw seperate comes complete with glasses:devil:

dave said:

pop the chrome round thing off
click pic for better view

Click to expand...

Thank you so much for taking the trouble to explain that, Dave :hug:

That is brilliant - a classic case of 'easy when you know how', impossible otherwise!

I had everything apart in a few minutes. The chrome surround was a success - a nice matt black sheen now. In memory of my Dad (ten years ago this month) - he used to paint anything that was plastic-chrome matt black.

But the button was a total failure. I peeled off the rest of the chrome and tried to paint it silver, but the aerosol came out all thick and splattery so I ended up with a sticky, textured finish. The disaster though was the attempt to dry it with the heatgun (which made the texture more uniform and gave me a sore throat) - and also melted the button, deforming it so it doesn't fit anymore - it just pops off

I would have painted it black, but had run out of black paint!

I wonder if it is possible to buy the button by itself...? Continental Cars (FIAT dealer in NZ) quoted $93 for the gear lever assembly... maybe T14086 knows?

Cheers,
-Alex

eper would be best to see if available seperate.

Hi mate,

yes it is available separately. Part No: 71732864. Price is £13.17 Not sure how much that works out to in your money though.

Hope that helps,
Alan

a1ant said:

Hi mate,

yes it is available separately. Part No: 71732864. Price is £13.17 Not sure how much that works out to in your money though.

Hope that helps,
Alan

Click to expand...

Hello - that certainly helps!
I rang the agent and quoted that part number - the price was still $93
I also asked about a handbook - that can be ordered - over $100.
I think it is possible to order a remote key (does the Sporting have remote locking - any way to tell?) - that's over $400.

£13.17 in our money is $35.27, a bargain in other words, even if it is still rather a lot for a chromed plastic button that must cost $1! I might have to order certain items from England in the future...

Cheers,
-Alex