i already put a meassge on the general message board but then relised that it breaks down in to smaller sections. The problem with my fiat punto is my boyfriend put the wrong petrol in the car and as he started to drive the car again it started to jerk and then cut out. So we took it to the local garage where it has been since yesterday afternoon. and they pumped out the wrong petrol and put in the right petrol and also pumped up the tyres. Unfortunately my boyfriend couldn't stay at the garage the whole time and now we thnk they did something dodgy. The car wont start and the engine just keepd ticking over there is no spark - they have said the car doesn't need new spark plugs. Also there is now a live wire under the steering wheel (where all the other wires are)which me or my boyfriend have never seen before. the garage are saying that the immobiliser has gone and that they cant find anywhere where the wire should go. I dont know the first thing about cars but i know that the garage have donw something and i know that you cant have a live wire hanging its dangerous and basic health and safety.

I dont know if this same problem has happened to anyone else or of a mecanic is reading thia or anyone who knows what might be wrong. Or someoen who could give advice - please do as anything will help. we dont wnat to pay out a whole load of money to a garage when really its something simple.

Thanks
Lasharna

L.kellar

it might be the wire for the fuel pump that might be why its turning but no fuel is coming out is there any lights showing when you try and start have you checked the fuses. take a picture and submit it on this site and il have a look and try and compare on my car

hiya thanks for the reply i'll try to get a picture as soon as possible. when the key is put in to start the engine, the key symbol (for the immobiliser) lights up and then goes off again but i know it should stay lite. Also the battery symbool lights and then goes off thats i know is okay and the oil one as well. I mention that the it might be the wire for the fuel pump. the only thing is when the engine starts there is no spark but i think the fuel is coming out as it should. who knows but thanks![8D]

L.kellar

Firstly, the key symbol should go out after about 2 seconds, this denotes the immobiliser has reckonised the key and is ready to start.
If you know nothing about cars how do you know there is no spark? unless you remove each plug one at a time there is no way to see it.

What did he put into the car, leaded (LRP) or diesel?
The car wouldn't have liked either, the catalytic converter would have become blocked and the lambda sensor will have gone mad trying to understand what was going on.

Can you take a picture of this wire so I can see the position and colour and email it to me at [email protected]
What Punto is it?

Do you mean "starts"?
Or, turning over and trying to start??

I'm a bit confused :I

P.S. Have posted a reply to your original post...

Hiya every one thanks for your replies. firstly the colour of the wire hanging is purple. I'll try to get a picture. I know there is no spark as the garage showed me, my boyfriend was there as well and he knows aliitel more than me. The petrol was diesel.

the garage have said that the car needs a new immobilier, key and brain and that this will cost £200. Is this a reasonable price. I maen if they put it in and it doesn't work i we wont pay them a penny not even for the labour. so if any one knows all comments and suggestions are welcomed thanks.

L.kellar

The diesel might have gummed up the spark plugs - it's terrible oily stuff.

And, I still don't understand how the immobiliser has been broken.

They are taking you for a ride, a new ECU (brain) is in the region of £600, a new key is about £80 for the blue and £400 for the red ones.
No way would they do it for £200.
The problem is that diesel is oil and not a spirit, its not flamable its combustable. Chances are its gunked up the plugs and everything else on the way.

All I can say is, put a small mark on the ECU and get them to agree on the fee in writing and that if it doesn't work they get nothing. Get them to fix it and then check to see if they have changed the ECU, if they didn't refuse to pay and call Fiat or watchdog.

have you sen a spark coming from the ignition coils (test, pull one ht lead off where the coil is and start the car) the desil might of shorted the ig coil and why not take it to fiat and just get it on the computer that might tell you( disconnect the battery for 20 min (the negative) then reconnect then try and start the car) then let me know. good luck

Coes anyone know the number for fiat customer services or where a fiat garage is in hackney (london). Cheers

L.kellar

Look at

http://www.fiat.co.uk/

But see if anyone on this site can recommend one -

there are 5 shown, all inside a 10 mile radius from you.

Unfortunately, not all the dealers are good


See also

https://www.fiatforum.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=75

on this site...

Take care B)

Thanks John H.

L.kellar

Hi Lasharna,
I'm interested to know what the problem was in the end. There doesn't appear to be any clear resolution or follow up to this. Thanks.

unlikely that wrong fuel would do all that damage

99 Brava 100 HSX with not enough mods