Technical Mystery problem - specialist garage flummoxed!

[danmarie30]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone here might have superior fiat knowledge to my local garage and my fiat specialist garage!

I have a 53 plate punto. A couple of weeks ago the starter motor went, has now been replaced so I'm pretty certain this is unrelated to the problem.

Basically when I start the engine, it sounds like the engine has started until the key turns back and then the car cuts out. However, if I put my foot lightly on the accelerator when starting the car, it starts every time.

When I took it in to the local garage the engine management light was on. Their diagnostic computer showed the fault as being the speed sensor so they replaced it but it made no difference. They spent a couple of hours on it and couldn't find anything mechanically wrong so they wondered if it was to do with the key code. (Think this may be unlikely since fiat dealership told me that if it was the key code it probably wouldn't start at all, and wouldn't be helped by putting foot on accelerator).

So I took it to a fiat specialist, who diagnosed again, told me speed sensor again, had no clue what else it could be. However, the engine management light went out and has not come back on since.

Interestingly, I have discovered that after I have driven it for a while, if I try to restart it, it will do so without my foot on the accelerator.

I would really appreciate any ideas on what could be wrong. Fiat specialist just told me to drive it and see what happens!

Thanks

 

[rallycinq]

Check round the back of the engine near the starter. There is a sensor unplugged/damaged or pipe split.

Cheers

SPD

 

[DaveMcT]

Check round the back of the engine near the starter. There is a sensor unplugged/damaged or pipe split.

Cheers

SPD

With that history, a loose wire near the starter makes sense. But was the old starter really faulty? It might be an ignition switch fault - contacting properly in the start position but not in the run position.

 

[T14086]

take it back to dealer & ask if software update has been carried out as it particually affects this year of vehicle.

I find this very common with non-dealer serviced mk2 puntos.