Hi peeps

Hoping for a quick bit of advice. My punto is currently in the garage with the following problem and I want to know what people think it might be

The heaters are blowing cold for ages after setting off and what appears to happen is that the engine temperature gauge heats up to practically overheating, then the hot air comes on with the heaters and the gauge drops back off to around a quarter.

I have to be driving the car, rather than sat in traffic for the gauge to start going up and the heaters to start working. It's most odd.

Also, the headlights seem to have a mind of their own and I'm always having one go out on me despite new bulbs being put in - could that be the wiring or are there other common issues that are more likely?

It is a Punto JTD ELX 1.8 from 2000.

Any quick answers gratefull received!

Refill the coolant system with fresh coolant and bleed properly.

Remove, abrade, clean and refit headlamp earths, covering with gease once done.

Cheers

SPD

For the lights, possible earth fault or the connectors are corroded/overheated. Never had it on a Punto yet, but on Cinqs and Seis it's not unknown for the connectors to corrode, short out, and bake the plastic bit that holds the connectors to the bulb.

For the heater, compression test. If OK, try flushing the system with a propriatary flushing agent, then replace coolant and bleed. Check also for water leaks.

Do you think it'll have anything to do with the thermostat at all? Just want to vaguely know what I'm on about when I go pick it up!

With the lights, they do get condensation in them sometimes so there must be something getting in them - maybe that has caused the corrosion?

lojik said:

Do you think it'll have anything to do with the thermostat at all? Just want to vaguely know what I'm on about when I go pick it up!

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Close but no cigar. The engine is heating up and then the thermostat opens letting water through into the heater.

What is supposed to happen is that the water all gets a bit hot until the thermostat opens. You have a shortage of water.

Cheers

SPD

You're good you lot aren't you?!

Thank you - car is getting old now and bits keep breaking. :bang: Think it's time for a new one soon (well when I magically find some money that obviously I will come across at the end of that rainbow!)