I have a 2003 1.9JTD 115 Multi with 101000 miles on the clock.
Recently, I've noticed what I can only describe as a "pinking" noise when gently accelerating. At the same time as this noise occurs, the engine seems to surge a little. This whole thing is very brief in duration, and is sometimes accompanied by the ear-bleeding warning bleeps and a message "Engine Ctrl Faulty - Contact Garage" along with the red Engine icon. This disappears after a few seconds but can return at random intervals - sometimes a minute or so apart or not for 10 - 15 mins.
I've had it checked by two separate Fiat dealerships over the Christmas break, but without booking it in for a full thorough (and needless to say expensive) diagnosis, they found no error.
Over the last day or so it has progressively gotten worse and I am terrified of using the car for any distance in case I do some real damage.
The fault feels more electrical than mechanical, as I've noticed when driving at night that all the lights dim momentarily at the same time as the "pinking & surges" happen.
I am pretty mechanically minded and recently changed the gearbox and clutch, following a spectacular box failure at 85000 miles. Could a sensor connection be the cause?
There does not seem to be any loss of power, although the MPG seems to be not quite as good as previously and the engine definitely seems noisier when cold.
I am becoming increasingly less and less trusting in the reliability of this car and any advice would be very gratefully received. (Replies like "burn it" or similar do NOT fit into this category!)
Many thanks for reading this,
Steve.
Recently, I've noticed what I can only describe as a "pinking" noise when gently accelerating. At the same time as this noise occurs, the engine seems to surge a little. This whole thing is very brief in duration, and is sometimes accompanied by the ear-bleeding warning bleeps and a message "Engine Ctrl Faulty - Contact Garage" along with the red Engine icon. This disappears after a few seconds but can return at random intervals - sometimes a minute or so apart or not for 10 - 15 mins.
I've had it checked by two separate Fiat dealerships over the Christmas break, but without booking it in for a full thorough (and needless to say expensive) diagnosis, they found no error.
Over the last day or so it has progressively gotten worse and I am terrified of using the car for any distance in case I do some real damage.
The fault feels more electrical than mechanical, as I've noticed when driving at night that all the lights dim momentarily at the same time as the "pinking & surges" happen.
I am pretty mechanically minded and recently changed the gearbox and clutch, following a spectacular box failure at 85000 miles. Could a sensor connection be the cause?
There does not seem to be any loss of power, although the MPG seems to be not quite as good as previously and the engine definitely seems noisier when cold.
I am becoming increasingly less and less trusting in the reliability of this car and any advice would be very gratefully received. (Replies like "burn it" or similar do NOT fit into this category!)
Many thanks for reading this,
Steve.
