Hi

My Punto Mk2 1.2 8v will turn over fine but wont start. This usually only happens after short journeys but not every one, when returning to the car after a few hours it wont start. Sometimes it will only turnover for a few secs and fire and others it can turn until it flattens the battery and a jump start makes no difference to the starting. There is always a loud click from the big, black relay, under the dash, just before it starts, removing it make no difference. It tends to happen in damp/wet conditions and always the 2nd start after washing the car. All plugs were sprayed with contact cleaner about 6 months ago and this cured it until recently when the problem started again and all were sprayed again, which has made no difference this time.

Anyone have any idea?

Problem is much more likely to be the leads than the plugs.

Still, I'd suspect the battery. Most factors will drop test it for free.

If the battery is OK, test the alternator with a multimeter.

Alternator and battery are both ok, by plugs I meant the multi-plug connectors

How is the engine turning over?
Is a decent even paced turn over?

I'd like to say crank sensor - but not because the sensors failed, but maybe a bad connection?

But i'd be inclined to test each HT for a spark with a donor spark plug

Ziggy

That, but also contact cleaner isn't really up to it. You ideally want to physically clean the pins -- these are ideal, and then pop on a smear of silicone grease.