Hi all
I have a flat spot issue with my 500C. The coil packs have been replaced...twice. I drive in manual mode and mostly using the paddles. I tend to drive the 500 Twin fairly hard...even in Sydney traffic (yes, Australia). Here are the symptoms:
- accelerating hard in 2nd gear a flat spot/misfire at about 2750rpm and another at 3000rpm
- EWL flickers on
- accelerating hard in 3rd gear a flat spot at about 2000rpm (doesn't happen as often as the 2nd gear flat spot)
This flat spotting does not occur when driving smoothly or 'normally'. It really only manifests under harder acceleration. Maintaining the hard acceleration when the flat spots occur results in the EWL staying on, the warning "Start/Stop is not available" and the engine running as rough as it can. Pull over, turn the engine off, restart the engine, back to normal.
I usually drive with the Start/Stop feature off (ie engine does not turn off when stopped in traffic) but have experimented by leaving it on lately. No difference.
I use 98 octane fuel (mostly Shell, occasionally BP or Caltex Vortex).
My gear change method in manual mode mimics the traditional manual change where I release accelerator momentarily on gear selection. Habit.
Any ideas besides the "Italian service" remedy suggested on another post. Not that I mind hitting the redline on occasion I'm just not sure that post referred to a 500C Twinair.
Given my driving style should I buy the Arbath ? Should I change my gear change method? Should I not take it to the local dealer and find a mechanic who can fix it ? Surely I couldn't be the lucky recipient of 3 dodgy coil packs in a row from FIAT.
Any ideas the forum has would be appreciated.
cheers
I have a flat spot issue with my 500C. The coil packs have been replaced...twice. I drive in manual mode and mostly using the paddles. I tend to drive the 500 Twin fairly hard...even in Sydney traffic (yes, Australia). Here are the symptoms:
- accelerating hard in 2nd gear a flat spot/misfire at about 2750rpm and another at 3000rpm
- EWL flickers on
- accelerating hard in 3rd gear a flat spot at about 2000rpm (doesn't happen as often as the 2nd gear flat spot)
This flat spotting does not occur when driving smoothly or 'normally'. It really only manifests under harder acceleration. Maintaining the hard acceleration when the flat spots occur results in the EWL staying on, the warning "Start/Stop is not available" and the engine running as rough as it can. Pull over, turn the engine off, restart the engine, back to normal.
I usually drive with the Start/Stop feature off (ie engine does not turn off when stopped in traffic) but have experimented by leaving it on lately. No difference.
I use 98 octane fuel (mostly Shell, occasionally BP or Caltex Vortex).
My gear change method in manual mode mimics the traditional manual change where I release accelerator momentarily on gear selection. Habit.
Any ideas besides the "Italian service" remedy suggested on another post. Not that I mind hitting the redline on occasion I'm just not sure that post referred to a 500C Twinair.
Given my driving style should I buy the Arbath ? Should I change my gear change method? Should I not take it to the local dealer and find a mechanic who can fix it ? Surely I couldn't be the lucky recipient of 3 dodgy coil packs in a row from FIAT.
Any ideas the forum has would be appreciated.
cheers