A few weeks ago my 2002 1.2 Punto Active started misfiring (engine management light had been showing for some months, key code light occasionally showed also). Mechanics changed spark plugs, coil packs and leads but misfiring problem remained. They advised me to find a new ECU so I bought a supposedly "virgin/uncoded" ECU from eBay. Once fitted, this ECU didn't even start the engine. Bought another ECU from eBay. With this one fitted, the car runs fine but temperature gauge and rev counter don't work. Also engine management light is still illuminated which I understand will be an MOT failure next time around. Spoke to Fiat who said they could sell me an ECU for £1000 (more than I paid for the car)!


Does anyone have an explanation of what's happening and how it might be fixed to pass the MOT? I've read some forums suggesting buying ECU/ignition barrel/key/antenna(?) etc all together from scrappy. Would that help here? Don't really want to scrap the car as it's only done 60k miles and otherwise is a good runner.

Any advice gladly received (I'm a non-techie so layman's explanations appreciated!).

Hi.
Find out what the ECU thinks the problem is.

There should be at least 1 error code stored.

Charlie

blackregent said:

A few weeks ago my 2002 1.2 Punto Active started misfiring (engine management light had been showing for some months, key code light occasionally showed also). Mechanics changed spark plugs, coil packs and leads but misfiring problem remained. They advised me to find a new ECU so I bought a supposedly "virgin/uncoded" ECU from eBay. Once fitted, this ECU didn't even start the engine. Bought another ECU from eBay. With this one fitted, the car runs fine but temperature gauge and rev counter don't work. Also engine management light is still illuminated which I understand will be an MOT failure next time around. Spoke to Fiat who said they could sell me an ECU for £1000 (more than I paid for the car)!


Does anyone have an explanation of what's happening and how it might be fixed to pass the MOT? I've read some forums suggesting buying ECU/ignition barrel/key/antenna(?) etc all together from scrappy. Would that help here? Don't really want to scrap the car as it's only done 60k miles and otherwise is a good runner.

Any advice gladly received (I'm a non-techie so layman's explanations appreciated!).

Click to expand...

Hi,
Short answer is you need to find a better garage. More detailed, the garage needs to have better, preferably Fiat specific diagnostic software.

You do not want to buy / change anymore ECUs or other parts.

The warning light may be on for numerous reasons. Connecting a laptop with diagnostics (see www.multiecuscan.net ) to the car will indicate exctly what the ECU think is wrong. A reset and adjustments (Proxi-Alignment) through the software may be all that is required. Temperature and rev counter are not MOT failures but engine light on is.

Where are you located?

Robert G8RPI.

Robert - thanks for the response, really helpful. I am located in Stourbridge, West Midlands. There is a Fiat dealership less than a mile from me - maybe they could do the diagnostics ?

blackregent said:

Robert - thanks for the response, really helpful. I am located in Stourbridge, West Midlands. There is a Fiat dealership less than a mile from me - maybe they could do the diagnostics ?

Click to expand...

The 2 things not showing on YOU PUNTO .. DO NO SHOW on a basic punto dash


So either the ECU doesnt support it.. of your sydtem needs a RELEARN to enable the new ECU to recognise the components.

blackregent said:

Robert - thanks for the response, really helpful. I am located in Stourbridge, West Midlands. There is a Fiat dealership less than a mile from me - maybe they could do the diagnostics ?

Click to expand...

They can, but will charge you for it. Get a prce u front for a diagnostic readout, warning reset and proxi alignment.

Multiecuscan (MES) and a interface / lead set is less than £100 (needs a windows laptop too) but need a bit of work to DIY.
If you are into computers at all download the "free" version of MES and have a play to see what you think. select your model of car etc but click the "simulate" button instead of connect and you can play on a PC without the car or interface. You need to scan for codes, reset warning and do a proxi-alignment (under adjustments). if you are happy doing this on the PC consider buying a lead set like www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Fiat-Alfa-EL...dapters-Diagnostics-Multiecuscan/282526378637
an paying the €50 licence fee for MES and doing it yourself.

Robert G8RPI.

g8rpi said:

They can, but will charge you for it. Get a prce u front for a diagnostic readout, warning reset and proxi alignment.

Multiecuscan (MES) and a interface / lead set is less than £100 (needs a windows laptop too) but need a bit of work to DIY.
If you are into computers at all download the "free" version of MES and have a play to see what you think. select your model of car etc but click the "simulate" button instead of connect and you can play on a PC without the car or interface. You need to scan for codes, reset warning and do a proxi-alignment (under adjustments). if you are happy doing this on the PC consider buying a lead set like www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Fiat-Alfa-ELM-OBD2-Green-Red-Yellow-cables-adapters-Diagnostics-Multiecuscan/282526378637
an paying the €50 licence fee for MES and doing it yourself.

Robert G8RPI.

Click to expand...

I have tried this, bought the leads and downloaded ECUmultiscan to my laptop, multiscan says reading but then downloading fails or it fails to produce any engine codes at all despite confirming that the scanning process is ongoing. All this despite having an EOBD light on for 2 months now (though nothing seemingly wrong with running of car). I have input all the car data required (I presume Punto Mark2B's are classed as "2003 Fiat Punto 1.2 8V"?) on ECUmultiscan?


As a novice, can I please ask a fundamental question about ECUmultiscan?


What are the coloured leads for? I do have them but to use multiscan it seems that I only need the lead from the laptop to the car's ECU?



Sorry for being thick. I'm no mechanic obviously -

The old fashioned way of connecting to ABS . Power hood . Etc was to modify the cable.

The coloured adaptor cables have these modified connections premade.

MES tells you which adaptor to use..

ENGINE codes need no modified connections

varesecrazy said:

The old fashioned way of connecting to ABS . Power hood . Etc was to modify the cable.

The coloured adaptor cables have these modified connections premade.

MES tells you which adaptor to use..

ENGINE codes need no modified connections

Click to expand...

I know I'm being thick, but surely the only lead you now need is the lead from laptop to ECU?

Reanswolf said:

I know I'm being thick, but surely the only lead you now need is the lead from laptop to ECU?

Click to expand...

I think you must be correctly plugging your lap top into the OBD2 port which is part of the body computer with the interior fuses and interior relays. The ECU is on the engine.

However, something does not seem right if Multiecuscan is just hanging there waiting.

Do you have a link to the cable you bought?

judderbar said:

I think you must be correctly plugging your lap top into the OBD2 port which is part of the body computer with the interior fuses and interior relays. The ECU is on the engine.

However, something does not seem right if Multiecuscan is just hanging there waiting.

Do you have a link to the cable you bought?

Click to expand...

Hi judderbar,


I have the full set like attached below, but only have to use the one cable from laptop to car port where the multi-pin plug goes in. It all seems to be going fine, says it is scanning, it takes about a minute but then says failed to download, or nothing at all happens as the screen stays blank instead of bringing up the codes.


The free version of ECUmultiscan I use is downloadable but only last 20 minutes.


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Fiat-Alfa-ELM-OBD2-Green-Red-Yellow-cables-adapters-Diagnostics-Multiecuscan/282526378637

Reanswolf said:

I know I'm being thick, but surely the only lead you now need is the lead from laptop to ECU?

Click to expand...

Just the usb end at laptop and ELM327 AT THE OBD PORT (near drivers knee)


Use F9 on MES to check the connection 1st..
Then SCAN with just the ELM cable.

Should find a few components..

THEN you can interrogate:drive warning lights on dash. Etc

Yep. Thank you very much for your help.

I will give it another try tomorrow.

Gotta love garages thay blame the ecu.... *sighs*
They dont blow easily
Its a perlonged issues of a misfire that people.ignore till you loose 2 cylinders as the coil works harder, which then burns the driver in the ecu...

Id be sticking the original unit back in and doing a decent diagnosis ti start with

The new ecu may have the same fault and its all a waste of time....

Ziggy

Reanswolf said:

.

Click to expand...

Did you get the software from the software creator at https://www.multiecuscan.net/

He says he is flooded with help from people who have got the wrong software from Chinese companies.

There is a detailed FAQ and help forum there too


https://www.multiecuscan.net/HowToUse.aspx

Thank you for thoughts, I did buy cable for it on Ebay but after trying today and having a few connectivity issues, I eventually got it it to tell me what fault the engine has - "P0420 Code Catalyser" (which I only had replaced last year). I thought it was something like that as the engine performance would fail an MOT but otherwise continues to run fine. So I've booked it in for Friday with my garage.

Getting back to Multiecuscan - yes the cable has worked.............eventually, but I initially pressed F10 CONNECT - initially it said "The Port Com1 does not exist - check your cables & serial port settings". SO I then went to F9 SETTINGS and as advised on both lines simply typed in C:\Multiecuscan_csv. THEN I chose "INTERFACES" on that same page, and selected "Scan to find Connection" - resulting in 'Com3' being found.

THEN I chose 'SCAN' - after a minute or two it said "Scan Completed - Success" and so I selected "SEND REPORT".

I think at that point I selected 'F2 SELECT' option, and even then had to type in Car Type and Model over 2 lines - "Fiat Punto 2003" and "1.2 8V", and eventually it gave me my error code and accompanying description.

NOT straightforward for someone like me, but I persevered and at least I know what the fault is.

Unfortunately I need a different interface cable to assess why my Electric Power Steering Light sometimes comes on after breaking hard, but hey that's for another day.

I feel I have achieved something my using Multiecuscan successfully.

Hi,
Sorry for slow response, I've been travelling and am in the USA at the moment.

Did you manage to reset the warning light OK?

The different coloured leads are needed to provide enhanced functionality. The OBDII standard covers basic functions but allows manufacturers to use some pins for advanced functions the leads connect the right pins to the interface. The lead you need depends on the model, equipment/engine fitted and function you wish to access. Note that the trial version of MES does not support all functions. For instance electric power steering is not supported. You should not need a adaptor lead, but you will have to pay the registration fee to access the steering.

Robert G8RPI.

Hi Robert,

I haven't reset the warning light as I'll leave the garage to do that when they check the fault. I know I'm not really saving myself any money as I cannot do the repairs myself, but I want the garage to know they can't fleece me for any extras.

I do have the other cables too, but these won't run off free version of multiecuscan using a laptop, or if they do I'm not sure how.

Took it in to the garage, they said indeed it does need a new catalytic converter which is only one and a half years old and only done 6000 miles but not under warranty.

But they said no need doing anything, car runs well, as long as I am not bothered about engine light being on. Also it would even 'probably' pass its MOT with this specific warning light on.

Reanswolf said:

Took it in to the garage, they said indeed it does need a new catalytic converter which is only one and a half years old and only done 6000 miles but not under warranty.

But they said no need doing anything, car runs well, as long as I am not bothered about engine light being on. Also it would even 'probably' pass its MOT with this specific warning light on.

Click to expand...

Not a very good garage by the sound of it. From May this year the engine warning light (or other safety related lights like ABS & Airbags) being on or not working (so you can't just disconnect it) is an automatic MOT failure. The CAT sould not fail in 18 moths and 6000 miles. Either it was a poor qualit item or something elase is wrong as well. Try restting the light with MES and see how long it is before it comes on again.

Robert G8RPI.