Brand new Abarth 595 won't start!

[wrightthomas]

Hello Fiat Friends,
I bought a Fiat 595 Abarth Turismo almost 6 months ago, and about three months ago, it started to have a problem with starting. The engine starts to turn over, then cut out, and it takes about three goes to get it started, and even then, sometimes the engine light would start flashing when the car was started. It only happens when the car has not been driven for a few hours (over night, while I'm at work etc.) I took it back to the dealer, who of course couldn't replicate the problem, the suggestion from them was to use 95 octane fuel instead of the 98 that I had been using (and told to use when I bought the car). Their explanation was that it was faster to ignite, and the 98 is too slow (even though it's within the specifications outlined in the manual). I used 95, and it immediately fixed the problem, but the problem is that no garages near me stock 95 fuel, and the car is less responsive on 95 than it was on 98. I've spoken to a few people, and they all use 98 without a problem. I went back to 98 because I stopped at a garage that didn't have 95, and immediately went back to not starting. I use good quality fuels as well, Shell Vortex and BP Ultimate. I'm in Brisbane, Australia, so ambient temperature is not an issue.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Has anyone else heard of/experienced this? Does anyone have any other suggestions that I can take to the service department?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

 

[PandaArrabbiata]

That is really unusual. The octane rating of a fuel is a measure of how stable it is, or how resistant it is to pre detonation (igniting before the spark due to being compressed by the engine). In a turbo engine its particularly important to use high octane fuel, especially in a hot environment, as pressure and heat are both working against you. I'd imagine that on a standard engine running standard boost you will be fine running 95. Running 98 or higher should theoretically allow the engine computer to adjust a few settings and give you a bit more boost.

If I had to take a guess, I'd say that when running 98, the ECU is mapping the engine for high temperatures (Aus) and higher boost, but then when the engine is cold, it doesn't want to start using those settings.

This isn't something that should be happening though, there is definitely a problem. If it wasn't a brand new car, I'd suggest trying a hotter grade of plug to solve the issue, however in your situation, I'd just keep on at Abarth / Fiat until they track down the problem. What you're experiencing certainly isn't normal.

One more thing to try, would be resetting the ECU, to force it to learn new settings. This would be my first port of call.

I'll have an ask around to see if anyone has come across this specific issue before, but I cant say I've ever heard of it.

Craig

 

[varesecrazy]

Hello Fiat Friends,
I bought a Fiat 595 Abarth Turismo almost 6 months ago, and about three months ago, it started to have a problem with starting.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Has anyone else heard of/experienced this? Does anyone have any other suggestions that I can take to the service department?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

Hi Tom,

It's not totally unheard of this kind of issue,

I take it the car was perfect for 3 months,
my suspicion is that something has "bedded-in" and has now changed from the "optimal"factory settings,

a basic re-learn is a great 1st step, maybe replacing spark plugs.. looking for the colour of the ones that come out,
that may well tell a tale in itself ( I've experienced other weird stuff like this on Japanese vehicles)

good luck, and let us know how it goes..,

Charlie

 

[cmosfxx]

Wrong spark plugs type was my first thought.

 

[wrightthomas]

That is really unusual. The octane rating of a fuel is a measure of how stable it is, or how resistant it is to pre detonation (igniting before the spark due to being compressed by the engine). In a turbo engine its particularly important to use high octane fuel, especially in a hot environment, as pressure and heat are both working against you. I'd imagine that on a standard engine running standard boost you will be fine running 95. Running 98 or higher should theoretically allow the engine computer to adjust a few settings and give you a bit more boost.

If I had to take a guess, I'd say that when running 98, the ECU is mapping the engine for high temperatures (Aus) and higher boost, but then when the engine is cold, it doesn't want to start using those settings.

This isn't something that should be happening though, there is definitely a problem. If it wasn't a brand new car, I'd suggest trying a hotter grade of plug to solve the issue, however in your situation, I'd just keep on at Abarth / Fiat until they track down the problem. What you're experiencing certainly isn't normal.

One more thing to try, would be resetting the ECU, to force it to learn new settings. This would be my first port of call.

I'll have an ask around to see if anyone has come across this specific issue before, but I cant say I've ever heard of it.

Craig

Thanks mate,
I'm not happy with the fault, but I'm even less happy with the service from the dealer who sold me the car. There are a few other Fiat dealerships in the area, so I'll go and bug one of them!

Tom

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks ,
I'm not happy with the fault, but I'm even less happy with the service from the dealer who sold me the car. There are a few other Fiat dealerships in the area, so I'll go and bug one of them!

Tom

re-reading this;
it's got me confused..

you said it starts to turn over , then stops .and can take several attempts before it starts - but with warning lights on DASH.

the fact you mention "being stood" in the same sentence points to low battery / poor supply voltage = Battery related

let us know what you find..,

 

[Jaystoy500]

I am having same issues with my brand new Abarth 595 in Perth. Fails to start. Stalls, runs rough and miss fires. Has done it since it only had 10km on clock. Has been back to the dealership so many times they can’t figure it out or say they fixed it then it faults again. Currently have Kevin Flynn the ceo of FCA coming to my house next week with all the managed to cold start it and test drive it over 3 days. Please not this is already a faulty replacement from another faulty from new 500x!

 

[varesecrazy]

I am having same issues with my brand new Abarth 595 in Perth. Fails to start. Stalls, runs rough and miss fires.
Currently have Kevin Flynn the ceo of FCA coming to my house next week with all the managed to cold start it and test drive it over 3 days.

Not good..

hes the FCA boss of where?

And what is he doing..?

 

[Jaystoy500]

Not good..

hes the FCA boss of where?

And what is he doing..?

Kevin Flynn the Director of Fiat Chrysler Australia newly appointed to turn the company around.

He's flying to my house to have do Cold Test Starts over 3 days with me as they don't believe me despite all the videos i have sent them of it failing to kick over then stall after it starts. i could upload a link with heaps of videos. One the engine light even starts flashing.