This is the first time I own a punto (actually first time I own my own car) so sorry if this is just obvious or normal.

Basically, I turn my key once to MAR, all the dashboard lights up, all warning lights go off, and everything working nice, but then when I try to turn the key again to start the car the key seems to be locked most of the times and does not turn anymore, it turns 25% of the time, but 75% of the times it does not turn from MAR to ignition. If I turn the car off completly and turn the key all the way to start the car in one go (without stoppin at MAR first) then it starts everytime.

Is this normal? and if not, any ideas what might be causing it? should I be concerned?

try a spray of wd40 in the key hole

thanks for the reply Dave, I assume then that this is not normal, so the key should turn from MAR to ignition everytime.

yes it should

Mine has the same behaviour.

WD40 is actually a good releasing agent but not such a good lubricant, especially for locks.

Graphite dust from a Locksmiths is far better but must be in a dry lock.

Mine does this, but only if you leave it at that point for a while, say like longer than 20 seconds. I'm sure its a safeguard to stop you turning the engine on if you only intended to switch the ignition on. Its as if something is blocking it thats meant to be there as there is still a little movement in the key. But when turning straight through to turn the car on, its fine. Just my opinion anyway haha

This might not be it but its an idea. . .

When i first started driving my punto (well it was my sister at the time but anyways) i used to try and turn the key 2 clicks then then once more to start the engine (as you do in most cars but the punto/most fiats? are different). if you turn the key too far past mar but not long enough to start the engine (fraction of a second, you dont even hear starter turning) the barell wont let you turn the key back to start the car, you have to turn it off an on again. Its the same if you stall it you cannot turn it on straight away you have to turn the key to off then start the car.

Mdeko said:

This might not be it but its an idea. . .

When i first started driving my punto (well it was my sister at the time but anyways) i used to try and turn the key 2 clicks then then once more to start the engine (as you do in most cars but the punto/most fiats? are different). if you turn the key too far past mar but not long enough to start the engine (fraction of a second, you dont even hear starter turning) the barell wont let you turn the key back to start the car, you have to turn it off an on again. Its the same if you stall it you cannot turn it on straight away you have to turn the key to off then start the car.

Click to expand...

exactly what I was going to say. The alarm I've got fitted on my car will re-arm itself if you dont switch on ignition. This proves a pain when trying to load the car so i switch the key to MAR. I'm not always in the car when I do this so quite often slip just a fraction past MAR, I then get the same problem as you..

That sounds like a good explanation, I tried and if I turn the key slowly to MAR, then it seems to go from MAR to ignition everytime. I must have just been going slighlty over MAR and hence it locking.