Technical 100hp non start!

[Visorfett]

GRRR
Sorry for the rant in advance.

Car booked in for 1st service tommorrow, and it wont start today!
started ok after work, but noticed fuel gauge was reading empty. so turned off and on again. and my gauge rose up to proper level.
Fair enough. just something to report next day I thought.

Got home and tried to get my gear out of the boot and the boot wouldn't open. strange I thought. Tried the key in the Ignition and nothing! No power at all. radio wont go on, central locking inop everything dead.

Tried ringing fiat assist, but they say I am 10 days out of my 1 year AA free time! Tried ringing customer services, but they are closed. :bang:
Spoke to a salesman at local garage and he just suggested ringing dealer in morning.

Annoyingly the car has been nearly perfect for a whole year. and waits till the day before its service to break down.

I know all cars breakdown so I am not angry at anyone inparticular... just angry in general.

 

[trackdayqueen]

I'm guesing it could be the ignition switch is shagged?

I take it you've checked your battery is connected etc?

 

[PNL]

Had simular with my 1.2 and that needed a software update ..100hp might be the same as well.. its also a fault on the Grande..

 

[Visorfett]

I'm guesing it could be the ignition switch is shagged?

I take it you've checked your battery is connected etc?

Yes, I checked that, just incase.

 

[babbo umbro]

Doesn't sound like ignition switch to me as services that don't depend on ignition being on have also disappeared - as there's absolutely fun all working I'd be inclined to check the earthing - earth it with a jump lead or spare earth strap and see what happens.

 

[HP]

Was just going to suggest that - sounds like a main power issue rather than accessory feeds. Make sure the leads are connected properly and tight on the battery.

 

[Visorfett]

problem sorted!

:woot::woot::woot::woot:

So..

Nipped up to work (truck garage) to borrow the jump pack, I thought maybe I had missed all the signs of a dead battery!
Was speaking to one of the fitters who has Grande Punto, and he had exactly the same problem, including the fuel gauge error the time before his died.

There are two big black connectors on top of the engine. (ecu connectors?) He said to make sure they were tight and try it.

Well they were rock solid tight, but gave them a firm push and voila it started first time!

I am so happy again!

But wish I could have done it without letting everyone at work know.
My "Italian" car with "Italian" electrics are going to receive some verbal mockery tommorrow.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice and especially so quickly. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing we are all here to help one another.

 

[HP]

The Italian electrics are actually made by Ze Germans.

Good news on the fix

 

[Advanced Driver]

The Italian electrics are actually made by Ze Germans.

Is that true? So when everybody blames the Italians for their electrics it's actually the Germans that are to blame? Why are they so unreliable is it their design or the way they are put together?

 

[HP]

Sabotaged, no doubt

Most of it is Bosch.

 

[PNL]

Sabotaged, no doubt

Most of it is Bosch.

Surely you mean Das bosch Pete..

 

[doctorchris]

Fiat Panda electrics are bullet-proof but my daughter's 1.1 Active had similar problems which I cured by improving the connections on the battery.

 

[Visorfett]

Well, back from its first service (£150) and they just made sure all the connections are tight. so lets hope it was a blip and nothing more.

 

[nigelr32]

The Italian electrics are actually made by Ze Germans.

And fitted in Poland

 

[ivantate]

Sabotaged, no doubt

Most of it is Bosch.

Unfortunately Bosch is a big company and may not be supporting any of this out of Germany. Also alot of reliability is down to the application and the build.
One thing I can say having been out here designing vehicles in Italy is that the engineering principles are general sound but the concentration to finish a job properly is lacking as is any support and communication between departments other than passing the blame. Also there is no focus on the customer and the service they receive, either from the dealer or parts support.
Although we are in a completely different market this seems to fit most peoples experience of Fiat too.


On the other hand the problems we have been having with our Panda which is on a separate thread may be similar to this so I will get all the connections checked and remade both to the ECU and the battery.