Hello all,

I'm David and I'm new to this forum. My 2003 Fiat Stilo 1.2l Petrol 5 door has developed a significant running problem and I thought that before simply taking it to a garage I'd see if there maybe a cheaper way of diagnosing the likely cause (and maybe even a self fix)?
Around a week ago the engine management light started to flash, around 30 seconds later it started beeping continuously. Now, when I switch on the engine, although the engine management light comes on and stays on, it does not beep as long as I remain idling. Within around 30 seconds however of my starting to drive, the beep beep starts and only ever halts periodically when I'm coasting or idling at a traffic light for example.
As soon as the issue started I noticed a very significant power decrease. At the moment I have to use first gear to get up hills I can usually manage in third gear and top speed in 6th gear is around 50 mph! Even in forth gear top speed is limited to around 65 mph so I reckon that I'm down from the supposed 80 bhp to around 50 bhp at the moment. Almost inevitably, hand in hand with this, the fuel economy has fallen from around 40 mpg to 30 mph at best - and that is with my being very careful with my right foot. Evidently, I'm going to have get this sorted out soon or I'll ruin the engine and so I was humbly wondering if anyone had an idea about what the issue may be and if there was a possible fix? . Thank you very much for taking the time to read my thread!

hi Dave, Welcome to FF.

my 1st suspicion is a spark fault. does it idle funny?
if so start the engine and take the HT leads off and put them back on one by one. if the idling gets worse its not that cylinder. if it stays te same with one lead removed then your problem is with that cylinder.

with a little investment it'd be wise to get a piece of diagnostic kit (preferably MES www.multiecuscan.net, there is a free version but you'd have to buy the cables, but they're cheap off of the ebay). failing that, for now, there might be a forum member locally that can help you out. where abouts in the country are you? please dont say Coventry... i have enough on my plate at the moment with my 1.6 the wifes coupe and my buddys car :lol:

Hello, maybe there is a problem in your engine- like spark plugs that richydraper said, but it may be a problem in your ecu as well. Some days ago i have read a story somewhere about a guy who was driving his stilo at the highway, and at some point the engine light came on and the car got in "safe mode" , and it wouldn't develop more than 2000 rpm (or 3000rpm i am not sure) and it was almost not drivable. I dont know if this story true but this may be your problem...... So as richydraper said connect your car with fiatmultiecu scan to be sure.....