Technical Few Problems!! Help me :(

[LizzieO]

Heyyyyy. I know absolutly nothing about cars but theres something definetly wrong with mine !!

Ive got a 1.2 punto dynamic 2004 (I think!)

Well just recently when i close the drivers door its started making this kind of .. echoey noise as if theres nothing in it ..

When i go over a speedbump reaaaaaaaally slow it makes this kinda rattly creaky noise from the drivers side as if somethings rattling about or the engines gonna fall out

When reversing sometimes the gear crunches

And last but not least the handbreak light comes on when going round corners or braking

Cars going in for a service within the next couple of weeks. I know so far it needs a new drivers side brake pad

How much as well is it usually for a service of this car?

Please dumb down your answers if you have any because i'll get confused

 

[Dcthebear]

Reversing gear crunch is common in nearly all manual cars depending on how you put it in gear (i.e. are you revving engine at time, has it stopped moving forward before you engage reverse, clutch right down, changing too fast). You can avoid it a lot by depressing the clutch for a couple of seconds before changing gear and make sure you are stationary! If it gets worse or louder you may need the clutch adjusting but try the avoidance ways first.

The sound when going over a speed bump is most probably suspension. Could be a spring that has wound off the top or bottom plate or a shock absorber problem, hard to know without hearing it. Look around for a reputable tyre dealer as a lot of them also specialise in suspension and steering, some like Kingsway offer free checks. They will also be able to check your hand brake light problem.

As for the hollow door sound, never come across that before but is the door catch well lubricated? Does the doors window and handle work ok?

 

[LizzieO]

Checked the spring thing yesturday and its a bit rusty haha ! maybe thats it ?

The doors a weird one ! When its cold and you open the door the handle stays open so you close the door when inside and the door doesnt close. Just opens again ! Sometimes as well if its really cold the door doesnt unlock so need to do car olympics & going in the passenger side to release the door lock. I'll mension all this at the service anyway see if they can sort it out

 

[dave]

handbrake light coming on when going round corners is normally low brake fluid, its same light, check fluid level

 

[Dcthebear]

Forgot one, sorry! Full service including multi point check for my 1.9 JTD is £79 which includes oil and oil filter change, air filter, diesel fuel filter. Again go to reputable service centres or mechanics to avoid cheap parts. If you have no service history with your car get them to check the belts for wear and tear, change the brake fluid, coolant and spark plugs. Well worth doing if you have no service history.

 

[Dcthebear]

WD40 spray into the door latch to clean it up and remove any grit in it then some spray grease to lubricate it. Also check the latch is lined up with the pin on the door frame, it should not touch the top or bottom of the latch slot in the door but go as central as possible. If out of line your door may have sagged of the pin has come loose and moved.

 

[LizzieO]

Im sure ive got the full service history in the car. Well if its a wee book thing i do. Car never got serviced last year and because its done over so many miles it needs to be serviced every year. Should be alright after the service im sure. got roughly £200 in another account which could cover it. MOT's due next month anyway so best getting it done the now rather than later Thanks guys !!!!

 

[dave]

if you are taking it to a garage take it down to arnold clarke in ayr ask for their top tech to look at it

 

[LizzieO]

Taking it to reillys in paisley just behind love street ! Not top fond of driving too far from home. Still need to build my confidence up even though ive been driving for nearly 2 years haha ! cant stand traffic

 

[AndyRKett]

Welcome to the Forum LizzieO have you got someone in your life who can help you have a look at some of the problems, dad brother, boyfriend or mate.

Some of the problems will probably be picked up on the MOT and service. suspension creaks and rattles are common and could just be bushes which are thick rubber pads between metal component to stop them rubbing and keep them tightly in alignment. it could be a worn or broken spring also.

the problem with your echoing door might need some help from a friend or family member to investigate as it could be something simple which needs screwing back into place, but could cost a bomb for a garage to look at because its not a normal job for them.

best advice is if going to a garage and they are telling you something is wrong then ask them to actually show you the problem, that way they are less likely to rip you off and feed you a load of rubbish. even if you have no idea what you are looking at at least take a look and try to understand as it could save you a fortune if a dodgy garage decide to take the mick.

set aside £150 ish for a service especially if you think things might need replacing
ask em to top your brake fluid up while its there

 

[LizzieO]

Im gonna pretend im really smart & jusst go in saying i know i need a new brake pad thing, possible broken spring & all that. Could possibly get an oscar for the performance im gonna do!

 

[AndyRKett]

in which case ask for "new brake pads" they come in a set of 4 to cover both front wheel wont win a oscar without the research

 

[Dcthebear]

For the little it can cost at a good garage get the fluid changed. It gets air bubbles and water in it over time which seriously affects braking and topping up will not rectify it!!!
Bottle of fluid costs about £10-15 and it only takes about 15 minutes to do if the mech knows his stuff.

 

[austenw90]

I've heard about what sounds like the same door problem with a Punto before. I think it's just what happens as they get older and just the hinge and bolts creaking, nothing to worry about but probably easily fixed for cheap

Good luck with your service, hopefully they will sort it all for you

 

[LizzieO]

Right after a couple of weeks the car has been serviced & mot'd, brake pads & brake discs changed.

Still making a really weird rattily noise like its coming from the tyre. So god knows what that is

 

[Tony123]

could be something loose around your suspension possibly ?
When you hear the sounds how fast are you going ? Does it do it all the time ?

 

[LizzieO]

Nope not all the time, usually slow when going over speedbumps & uneven bits of road

 

[Tony123]

could have a bearing going or maybe CV joint ?

 

[LizzieO]

No idea. Only keeping the car for another few months then getting a new one so hopefully it lasts till then & i dont know what happens when the bushes go haha or what a cv joint is

 

[Andy Monty]

Do some puntos come with Drop links chaps? (know Dom booths was ARB less not massively familiar with the older puntos )


low speed rattles over bumps can be due to worn drop links (if they are fitted to Lizzies car)