Technical Various electrical problems - Help!

[EmilyH1]

I have a 2003 Punto Active 8v and have various electrical problems and would be grateful if anyone can assist. I have had a scan carried out but it showed nothing and have also checked the lamps on the car.

The problems are as follows:

1. When slowing down (below 10mph) and when stationary, the electrics will cut out. Sometimes coming back on, sometimes not.

2. When indicating right, the dashboard "lampbulb" light on the dashboard comes on.

3. When indicating right and breaking the indicator will double flash/click as well as the dashboard "lampbulb" light comes on.

4. When generally breaking the dashboard "lampbulb" light comes on.

5. Occasionally, the "key" light on the dashboard comes on.

6. The "airbag" light on the dashboard is permanently on.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rallycinq]

Time to check the earths.

Basically all of them, by the sounds of it.

Undo, clean, abrade, clean, refit, clean, tighten firmly, clean, apply grease.

Cheers

SPD

 

[EmilyH1]

Time to check the earths.

Basically all of them, by the sounds of it.

Undo, clean, abrade, clean, refit, clean, tighten firmly, clean, apply grease.

Cheers

SPD

Thanks for replying

As I'm complete novice to all of this, would anyone be able to point me in the right direction or explain how to check the earths??

 

[rallycinq]

Thanks for replying

As I'm complete novice to all of this, would anyone be able to point me in the right direction or explain how to check the earths??

Undo, clean, abrade, clean, refit, clean, tighten firmly, clean, apply grease.

Cheers

SPD

There will be an earth behind each set of lights, one under the dash and at least one engine to chassis, then the battery to chassis one.

Cheers

SPD

 

[EmilyH1]

Thanks a lot will have a go of this.

Thanks!

 

[red]

The worrying one is losing electrics when braking. By "electrics" do you mean things like lights or is it engine cutting out as well?


The earth points on a Mk2 Punto are (according to Johnny Haynes):

E1 - At battery terminal (-)
E2 - Left hand inner wing
E3 - Left hand inner wing
E4 - Left hand inner wing
E5 - Right hand foot well
E6 - Left hand side of luggage compartment
E7 - On gearbox
E8 - Left hand inner wing

Each point has one or more wires connected to the metalwork of the car (it uses the body instead of needing more wires to get the current back to the battery).

There may also be localised earth points near light clusters. Some of your symptoms have "indicating right" in common so you may want to start around the front and rear offside lamp clusters.

Make sure the battery connections are tight first.

The airbag light might be on because a fault has been detected (common problem on this model). If this is the case, it can't be turned off without some diagnostic equipment. Getting that done professionally will cost significant hard-earned stuff. You might want to have a look at FiatECUScan.net and see my posting on cheap ECU reader elsewhere on this forum (an ECU reader that apparently can be adapted to read/reset airbag controllers)

red

 

[Ziggy122]

Problems 2 3 and 4 could also be linked

The Bulb out light - yes could be caused by the earthing issues, but it'd be worth while checking that all your brake lights and idicators all work as well
(while your at it check all your lights work - Get a friend - Family Member to help)

But to me with all the faults earthing and bulb checks are defo the 1st move to make

Ziggy

 

[rallycinq]

Problems 2 3 and 4 could also be linked

The Bulb out light - yes could be caused by the earthing issues, but it'd be worth while checking that all your brake lights and idicators all work as well
(while your at it check all your lights work - Get a friend - Family Member to help)

But to me with all the faults earthing and bulb checks are defo the 1st move to make

Ziggy

I presume the OP carries out a weekly lights check as everyone else does on here.

I find supermarket windows handy for checking the brake light are working.

My leg is not long enough to press the pedal and look at the back of the car at the same time.

Cheers

SPD

 

[Ziggy122]

I do Cheat i use a window as well to see if i have a reflection off the lights

Another Cheat is Camera Phones - Record what you do remember what you did - and watch video back you'll see whats working and what isn't

Just knowing how funny punto's can be with a bulb been slow to "wake up" Can often trigger the bulb out light

Ziggy

 

[stevePil]

I would be interested to find out what the problem was if you solve it, my wife's punto has the lamp failure lit but all the side lights, tail lights, brake lights, number plate, low/high beam and indicators all work fine

 

[Ziggy122]

I would be interested to find out what the problem was if you solve it, my wife's punto has the lamp failure lit but all the side lights, tail lights, brake lights, number plate, low/high beam and indicators all work fine

Does it go off after a while?
or is it on constantly?

Also check the wattage of bulbs - if you put a lower Wattage bulb in - it often lights up

Ziggy