Technical 1.2 Punto Issues

[RossAB]

Hi everyone,

I've got a 2001 Y reg Fiat Punto Sporting 1.2 16v that I've got a few issues with that I would like some answers to if possible, I've had a look around the forum and couldn't seem to find answers, but I apologise if I have overlooked something.

First of all, there's an issue with a knocking noise towards the rear of the car, particularly when there are extra passengers or luggage. A response to an earlier thread I found said it was likely to be the exhaust rubbing against the axle, and a friend of mine who had a quick look said something about the exhaust, but I'm just wondering if there are any simple (or cheap!) solutions to this?

Also, when I've got the headlights on, the check warning light is constantly on. I've had a check, and all the lights work, and I can't see any glaringly obvious issues. However, usually under braking, the air bag light also comes on occasionally, just for a split second but then goes off again. Again, are there any easy fixes for this, or is it likely to be something I need to take into a garage to get looked at?

Finally, when I got the car, the heaters and blowers were working perfectly, no problem at all, but one day a month or two ago they just stopped, and now they don't work at all. Could this possibly be a fuse that's gone, or am I looking at something else?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[fingers99]

Fan -- check fuse first, get back.
Lights -- probably a bad earth or/and dirty or overheated headlamp connector.

Exhaust -- re-check. Either one of the mounts is failling or you need to disasemble and re-assemble to avoid the point where it is banging.

 

[s and b]

the banging is usually the inner bush on the top of the shocker
ive tried and failed on some puntos to extinguish the bulb out situation of course if you have substituted any standard bulbs for leds without balast then this will cause an issue with the dash light

airbag is a weird one never had it on a punto but had it on a primera i ran and could never find a solution ,i would agree its a wiring probably earthing issue but where would one look (airbag ecu perhaps?) dont know its airbags so really dont want to guess on this one

 

[Ziggy122]

The airbag light flashing when braking was a poor earth i believe
often leading to ""exclusion switch interferance" code 14 been developed

there is apprently a fix for that - but i kept just resetting the light when it did come on

Ziggy

 

[RossAB]

Fan -- check fuse first, get back.

I checked the fuses and no luck there, they were all fine!

 

[PuntoHowTo]

hmmm a month and a half to check the fuses, this could take some time to sort out.

knocking from rear especially if its over bumps is likely to be the rear shocks upper mounts being perished though they may look completely fine.

heater blower could be the resistor pack could be the fan, switches on any part of the wiring that connects them all you'll need to narrow it down with some fault finding and a multimeter

the lights and airbag light could be as Ziggy has pointed out, take off the rear lights and check the earths the wires are to small a gauge and can over heat/burn out causing resistance and ground problems