:bang: My Punto is driving me mad... since buying it new in 2003 the power steering light has flashed on and off intermitently and the garage never founf the problem, just kept deleting faults! Now.. the latest problem last weekend the little yellow engine picture came on and I found it extremely difficult to start the car when hot... after three days of problems the light has gone off and is running normally. Any ideas???

Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

HI

I had VERY similar problem, wouldn't start when warm and power steering failure when restarted.
Changed RPM / TDC sensor. NO problems since.
£21:21 I think, 20 mins to fit.

Safe motoring
jiohnnyp

soon as the prob has been going on so long, it is still covered by warrenty so I would think fiat should replace your car since they cannot find the fault, the car has not lasted a resonable amount of time before un-fixable faults are occuring (i,e 3years) so stick it to them, and tell them they either fix it so it doesn't happen again (all at their expense as in they collect, fix and supply you with a courtesy car) or they replace your car with a new one.

I think when you buy a new car you should have the piece of mind that it won't cost your anythign in 3years, if not there is something sadly wrong.

What is the RPM / TDC sensor?? I have contacted FIAT who say it is not their problem...

Did you have the engine management light on too??? That what comes on when its having a not starting couple of days...

Hi

Rpm /TDC sensor is at rear of engine, above starter motor.

Jiohnnyp

Thanks for that... did you have the same problem - did your engine management light come on?? It comes on every couple of weeks for a few days and I find it hard to start - then it will go off and be fine for a short while. The power steering light has always flashed on and off... usually when I am going in a straight line but I did have a problem last week where after I started the car the power steering light came on and the steering was heavy... then moments after that all the lights on the dash flashed on, then off and everything was normal... it's a strange car!!!

Is the Rpm /TDC sensor the same piece of wiring... I am not daft with engines but the electrical side is baffling, I prefer my old UNO

same here I like the old skool method.

My mate has a westfield sports kit car, with an overbored 1600 x/flow engine in it (now 1700cc and extensively modified, she's kicking about 145hp at the wheel's, and weighs 305KG's!!!!!) only thing electrical on it thats really required to get it going is starter, everything else is self propelled as it were.
It does have a few earthing probs as the chassis isn't great, so last weekend we rewired what there was back directly to the battery, job done, only thing that can fail is alternator.

Hi

Mang't light stayed on for a while after non start, run on motorway seemed to clear it.
My main problem was non start when warm. Fiat dealer no help, they wanted to change heater plugs,could explain to them that it started OK when cold!!
No steering/rpm-tdc sensor wouldn't be nomally remotly conected BUT, electricity plays some strange trick sometimes

Scan back thro' threads, some great info and helpers/ advisors on this site!

Safe Motoring

jiohnnyp

Sounds like your car needs the speed sensor wiring modification.

i have a similar occasional problem with both lights However, i have found that my battery has been losing charge over this cold spell and the lights only flash up when the battery has been running low. As soon as charge the battery the lights seem to go off and the car runs as normal hope this helps:bang: