Hi fellow Fiateers,

Fiat Punto 55sx 1.1

Basically I require some expertise with my current predicament. I turn the ignition, but the car does not start. The starter motor doesnt turn over, there just isnt enough electricity passing through or there is some kind of interruption. A jump start gets it running fine but again, ignition off and its all over.
When I do turn the ignition key the dash comes on, also there is a tapping noise coming from the dual fuel relay thing. When I turn it further to start the car the dash lights go off (as if there is not enough elec passing or crossed wires or something to that extent)

Appreciate your help

Could be a seized starter motor, wires could be shorting sumwhere....battery might just not have enough power to fire up the starter motor....

Me and my mate both had this problem I have a 55s he has a 60, new starter motor fixed it, also when you 1st turn the key 1 click a key code light and a red light appear on the dashboard, wait for these to go off and don't use blower, lights, heated windows, radio etc.... until the engine has started.

If the battery is being used before the engine kicks in its power isn't going to the starter motor where its needed.

As I say if that makes no difference get your battery chacked and if that is ok then get a new starter motor.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Regarding the starter motor. The car starts after a jump start so is it still possible for the starter to be faulty?

The red key code does appear. Sometimes it doesnt go off until i turn the ignition off and turn the ignition back on for the second time.
I've tried to start the car with most electricity using functions off ie the fan, radia etc...

Another thing i forgot to mention was that this happened a while back, around 3 weeks ago. I kept on trying because it was night and i was farrrrrrr away and it managed to start. It happened again 2 days ago but this time i jumped it then charged the batt for a bit and then retried and it started.

So why is there a tapping noise coming from the ECU controlled fuel relay?

I will attempt the starter motor on the weekend hopefully

thanks in advance

If the car starts with a jump start it might not be the starter....as jumping the car would still involve the starter motor....if you were tow starting (bump starting) then you could still start the engine without the starter.......been doing it all week with a tractor as the starter was removed.
If it's any help....we had the starter for the tractor reconned...which didn't work...in the end we just swapped the battery for the same size off another vehicle.

I'd be inclided to get a voltmeter out there and make sure the starter is getting power....although if it jumps I'd guess the power can get to the starter...worth checking though.

Just an update.

Took the car to halfords for a free battery test and they said it didnt have any power...well duh i knew that. What i wanted to know was if the battery was holding charge or iff electricity was coming through to the battery from the alternator.
So i thought screw that, bought a new battery. Working fine now but apparently i wont know if im out the red until a week or so as thats how long it takes for a full battery to drain without being charged.

the clicking noise is a sign of a flat battery