General Calling all start 'n' stop owners!
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General Calling all start 'n' stop owners!
kaiserchieftain
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Hi All
I have been reading the forum posts over the last few months with interest.
Purchased a new 500 S&S last April and worked perfectly up until December 09. Engine management light came on, with stop start off, so was taken into the garage where they kept it for 3 or so days and then returned it to us.
Fault re-occurred after a few days, but because of the weather, we kept a hold of it until January before taking the car back in. Again, had it a couple of days and wife went to pick it up, problem sorted apparently. Barely got out of the dealership, lights came back on and so returned the car. We haven't seen the car since, and numerous calls to the dealership hasn't progressed anything.
Initially they said they didn't have a clue, then said they needed to order spare parts, which turn out to be on back order.
Called Fiat, they said they had no idea about the problem generally but would chase up. That was two weeks ago, and I had to call Fiat again today. I have been told the parts were due into the UK on the 15th March (apparently) and they should be with the dealer three days later. I still have no idea what the parts are for.
When I last spoke to the dealership I told them there was supposed to be a software fix, and the tech told me they had already tried this to no avail.
I am sending a letter to the dealership to inform them that if the parts are not here within the next few weeks and or the problem is not resolved, I will be returning the car expecting a replacement car or full refund under the 1979 Consumer Act as the current car is "not fit for purpose"
I'll keep you posted.
Regards
Dougie
I have been reading the forum posts over the last few months with interest.
Purchased a new 500 S&S last April and worked perfectly up until December 09. Engine management light came on, with stop start off, so was taken into the garage where they kept it for 3 or so days and then returned it to us.
Fault re-occurred after a few days, but because of the weather, we kept a hold of it until January before taking the car back in. Again, had it a couple of days and wife went to pick it up, problem sorted apparently. Barely got out of the dealership, lights came back on and so returned the car. We haven't seen the car since, and numerous calls to the dealership hasn't progressed anything.
Initially they said they didn't have a clue, then said they needed to order spare parts, which turn out to be on back order.
Called Fiat, they said they had no idea about the problem generally but would chase up. That was two weeks ago, and I had to call Fiat again today. I have been told the parts were due into the UK on the 15th March (apparently) and they should be with the dealer three days later. I still have no idea what the parts are for.
When I last spoke to the dealership I told them there was supposed to be a software fix, and the tech told me they had already tried this to no avail.
I am sending a letter to the dealership to inform them that if the parts are not here within the next few weeks and or the problem is not resolved, I will be returning the car expecting a replacement car or full refund under the 1979 Consumer Act as the current car is "not fit for purpose"
I'll keep you posted.
Regards
Dougie
Urban cycle and start/stop driving patterns increase the rate at which acid builds up leading to accelerated and premature engine wear. Excessive lacquer and varnish formation reduces the efficiency of oil system components such as VVT systems, piston rings and Hydraulic Valve Lifters.
i seem to remember getting flamed when i said that the start stop system was pointless technology and just something to go wrong 
keeforelli
Member
i seem to remember getting flamed when i said that the start stop system was pointless technology and just something to go wrong
well with it being standard now on all 500s and punto evos, if nothing else we've been good test beds as early adoptors of the tech!
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i seem to remember getting flamed when i said that the start stop system was pointless technology and just something to go wrong
Me too. Just build more roads then we won't need to stop so much. Seriously it can cut pollution. The Newbury bypass is a prime example. Used to be horrendous having to go through Newbury in order to go north from the south. In spite of the tree huggers, traffic now flows freely and pollution must be much less.
Is it a record? ! Is your S&Sfixed?
Hi,
We've had the issue whereby the warning triangle light displayed and the car was very sluggish as a result of the Start&Stop stalling on a couple of occasions just two weeks after getting the car.
Took it in to the garage and have just been told it's as a result of keeping the clutch pressed for more than 10 seconds which then kicks in the Start&Stop.
The garage told us that this is more likely to happen on hill starts which as we live on a hill is highly likely to happen again.
Obviously permanently disabling SS will cause tax issues and will void the warranty so we've been told to 'change our driving style and use the handbrake whenever we stop' which seems ridiculous to me.
We can temporarily disable Start&Stop which we'll have to do whenever we anticipate a hill start.
In principal SS was good idea but in practice it's temperamental and fiddly and due to the particular way the car must be operated for it to work correctly in my book it's dangerous (not for everyday use but steep hill starts or anywhere you need a strong bite to safely pull away) . I thought we were supposed to drive the car not the other way around.
We've had the issue whereby the warning triangle light displayed and the car was very sluggish as a result of the Start&Stop stalling on a couple of occasions just two weeks after getting the car.
Took it in to the garage and have just been told it's as a result of keeping the clutch pressed for more than 10 seconds which then kicks in the Start&Stop.
The garage told us that this is more likely to happen on hill starts which as we live on a hill is highly likely to happen again.
Obviously permanently disabling SS will cause tax issues and will void the warranty so we've been told to 'change our driving style and use the handbrake whenever we stop' which seems ridiculous to me.
We can temporarily disable Start&Stop which we'll have to do whenever we anticipate a hill start.
In principal SS was good idea but in practice it's temperamental and fiddly and due to the particular way the car must be operated for it to work correctly in my book it's dangerous (not for everyday use but steep hill starts or anywhere you need a strong bite to safely pull away) . I thought we were supposed to drive the car not the other way around.
From my understanding of the S'n'S system, this sounds like grade A bullsh*t. S'n'S shouldn't affect the mapping or throttle AFAIK.
Edit: 10 seconds clutch hold down for a hill start?? Are you holding the car on a hill with the footbrake for that long???
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keeforelli
Member
im with you on this one-
start stop has no impact on performance, is as useable as this type of system could be, in any kind of situation, and it sounds like the poster here HAS been fed BS...
where did this info come from?...now my initial niggles are fixed, its a GREAT system...that i always use....if using on a hill start u would naturally engage the handbrake surely?!
if you 'ride' the clutch it can trigger the warning lights/ SS disabled glitch reported here, however its pretty rare....
im not sure how this makes SS dangerous though?....if the system disables on a hill start you still have drive to the wheels...the car will disable SS while the engine is still running....it simply wont 'STOP' the next time you come to a halt, and attempt to use the system...
it does work on hill starts...for me anyway....
i promise you that once u get used to the system you will find it much easier to get on with
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this is EXACTLY the issue I have, it's always when at a junction and I set off on a slight incline, on most occasions I'm not there long enough to put the hand break on but simply holding the car at biting point causes SS to fail. I can't see how having the clutch depressed for 10 seconds could cause it. I always sit at junctions with the clutch depressed, and it's for longer than 10 seconds (naughty I know!)
If I drive too fast for the conditions and road I crash. Useless ESP/car.
I don't get it..... why would you keep the clutch in?
keeforelli
Member
if you 'ride' the clutch, it will trigger the 'sensor fail' warning light/ disable SS very occassionaly....if you read the SS threads there is an explanation for this....
one little trick i read here was to depress the clutch on starting up for about 5-10 secs before engaging gear to 'set' the sensor-
IF the warning light/system fail is on frequently, take it to the dealer.
its very rare for mine to disable now after sensor updates.
keeforelli
Member
u def dont need to use the handbrake to use the SS system....that IS rubbish youve been told...
i simply- pull up to a halt, take out of gear, release clutch...engine stops.....depress clutch, put into gear, engine starts...THAT simple...how you choose to keep the car still is up to you- as the system has no connection to your brakes- i presume just a speed sensor...it will even work if you use it on the flat with no brakes applied after stopping.
Just remember though that he's stated above that he's keeping the clutch depressed for 10 seconds plus.....
keeforelli
Member
thats the bit that confuses me- im not sure why you would do that....if youre not moving then there is no need...maybe parking?....pulling off REALLY slowly?..riding the clutch on a hill??
Afternoon everyone,
We just managed to get ours built before Start n Stop became standard, and I've always been of the opinion that I'm grateful not to have it. That said I would be willing to have a go in one so that I can make my mind up once and for all!
For those of you who have mastered it, I'm curious as to the benefits of it - has it really helped your fuel consumption? Is it useful for anything else?
We just managed to get ours built before Start n Stop became standard, and I've always been of the opinion that I'm grateful not to have it. That said I would be willing to have a go in one so that I can make my mind up once and for all!
For those of you who have mastered it, I'm curious as to the benefits of it - has it really helped your fuel consumption? Is it useful for anything else?
