Technical Punto starting problem(s)... Please help!!!

[kwestcott]

I own a Fiat Punto (1.1 I think) 55s P reg and have a few problems that I am hoping someone will be able to help me with… I am not sure if the problems are related or not…

1) The battery in my Punto seems to discharge when left overnight and by the time I attempt to start the car in the morning the battery is either flat or after only a few cranks of the engine it then goes flat... (This seems to be hit and miss - sometimes it will start and other times it wont)

This problem seems to be related to how cold it is outside as the colder it is the quicker the battery seems to discharge and the more difficulty I have in starting the engine...
During the summer months the car will start more often than not but during the winter this problem gets worse…

2) When it is particularly cold (and I am lucky enough to be able to start the car) it "coughs" and "splutters" for about the first 30mins or so of driving whilst I accelerate.

Also, when attempting to start the car;
If I just turn the key the engine cranks a few times and then the battery dies...
But if I repeatedly kick the gas pedal it starts more often than not... why would this be?
It makes no sense to me but it seems to help nonetheless.

Are these problems related? Is my car fixable? How much could I expect to pay to have it fixed?

All suggestions welcome please.

Many Thanks in anticipation.

 

[thefishdude]

well it sounds like yoru battery is just worn out its a classic sign that it starts better when its warmer weather and worse when its colder . also discharging over night. youcan normally get them checked, or just replace it thats what i would prob do is yoru battery old ?? pop to a local motor factors/car parts place and you shoud be bale to get a battery for about £25-£35 dont go to halfords lol they will be more about£40+ if you not sure were to go cjheck yellow pages then you can even phone up and get a price the battery may solve all yoru problems. also the spluttering could be sparkplugs. have they been changed lately ?

as the pumping of gas pedal that normally just sticks more fuel into engine and something people normally do when car strugling to start usually done on older cars.

 

[pubcrawler]

i agree with thefishdude, sounds like a dying battery. If you go to quickfit or the like, they can check it for you with a special meter which shows if the battery is giving enough juice under a heavy load (like when your starter motors being used) and they also should be able to tell if your alternator is charging the battery ok. I had this check done a few years ago and it was free at the time.

 

[pubcrawler]

p.s
interesting post here;

http://www.carmechanicsmag.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=mech;action=display;num=1128443450

 

[kwestcott]

Thanks. I will get a new battery fitted and see if that helps. Ill let you know.