Hi all,

I've had a quick search to see if anyone else has logged my problem but doesnt look like anyone has.

Ive got a 53 Punto Dynamic Multijet 1.3 and have been having a few problems during the colder weather (although not exclusive to the cold weather)

1. First issue i had was in the summer, I just started driving along and slowed down for a speedbump and the engine cut dead. Turned over but wouldnt fire. I went to push to the side of the road, moved it about 2 feet, got tired so tried to start again, it fired up and was fine since.

2. Got a bit colder outside and when starting from cold it was taking much longer for it to fire, but when it did worked fine.

3. Now, it is having major problems. Wont start in the morning, had the RAC man out who said it was the heat plugs which i took to garage and he said he swapped a couple but the others (2 i think?) were fine. Took it away fine. Couple of days later, same thing, just turns over no fire. Advised to change battery from some friends, no difference.

I waited till monday and the guy from my local garage was kind enough to come round and take a look, didnt start for him first go, but second go it did (typical).

He basically said when the coil light is going off the plugs arnt actually warm enough so wait 15 seconds longer after the coil goes out then try again.

Next day, same thing... waited 15... 20... 30 seconds, just turns over. No engine warning lights just pure fustration from me! :bang:

Anyone had any similar issues with their Mulitjet?

All of the above sounds like Crank sensor to me. Has it cut out whilst driving again since the first incident, or is this ONLY occurring from cold?

What the guy has said about waiting 15 seconds after the glow plug light goes out wont help, as when the light goes out, the cold start control unit is no longer powering the glow plugs and therefore they will only cool down, not heat up.

Secondly, if you are in the UK, you should be able to start the multijet with no glowplugs whatsoever. Will just take a few more turns of the engine than normal, so personally I dont think your problem is to do with the glowplugs. If you wish and have a multimeter, you can test the glowplugs.

How many miles has the car done?

A proper diagnostics done by Fiat would help pinpoint the problem further rather than replacing parts for no need.

Hope that helps,
Alan

Thanks for the Speedy reply Alan!

Its on about 36000mile at the mo.

Its not cut out whilst moving since the first incident but thought it may be worth a mention (due to it starting after pushing the car forward a couple of feet)

What you have said makes a lot more sense then the Glow Plugs causing the problem and much more like some sort of engine timing issue.

I found another garage on one of them trusted garage websites which are an official fiat service centre and am getting the beast down to them tomorrow. They actually said "it is a 1.3 Multijet?" and said they had one in last week with similar issue with turned out to be a cobination of Glow Plugs and something else.

I'll let you know tomorrow!

Cheers again.

Ok, it was found to be the Fuel Pump which has been leaking for a while now.

It was essentially draining overnight so when it comes to start in the morning the turn over was just air in the pump.

Glad you got it sorted. Which garage did you use? I'm also in Warrington (with a 1.3 Multijet) and looking for a good 'un for a service and / or any future issues.