Technical Fiat 500 1.2 2014 goes into limp mode very infrequently

[stewartkingswood]

Hi,
As it says I have Fiat 500 2014 1.2 and very now and then when travelling at around 60-70 the engine management light starts flashing the warning triangle and stop start light come on and it goes into limp mode. If I pull over switch off count 10 and restart all ok. Tried injector cleaner put new earth strap on plugged in an obd reader no codes stored.
The car has only done 27000 from new.
Could it be coil pack and plugs?? Any advice is welcome
thanks
stewart

 

[jrkitching]

It hasn't by any chance had a cambelt change recently, has it?

 

[stewartkingswood]

Not recently according to service records it was done at 21780 just over a year back. I only bought it march this year. Problem it is very infrequent only happened 3 times in the last 700 miles. Dealer is aware and is prepared to honour any issues. Problem is he is 60 miles down the road.

 

[John202020]

Specifically try driving at 80 for a mile or two, see if anything happens?

 

[jrkitching]

Specifically try driving at 80 for a mile or two, see if anything happens?

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Either a sticking variator (a not unreasonable guess on a low mileage older engine, especially if the oil was changed on mileage rather than time) , or the cam pulley was loosened when the belt was last changed and the valve timing is just very slightly off.

Both are faults which are only likely to put on the EML at 3000+ rpm. You could pootle around in fifth at 50-60mph and never see a problem.

 

[John202020]

Low mileage suggests "modest" driving style and short distances? So yes very possibly
You could also drive more slowly but in a low gear to replicate a possible issue more legally? Ie higher revs

 

[stewartkingswood]

Thanks for the replies
The car was owned by a lady previously and probably only around town, so possible no quick work. Today I wasn’t going quick around 60 when it happened. The car has been serviced annually with oil change.
Excuse my ignorance what’s a variator?
I have driven at just over 70 and not had an issue before. It seems to happen when I’ve driven a fair distance today I had done about 70 miles and the last time was after about 60. Seems it doesn’t like to go far from home. I’ll give it a go tomorrow with higher revs in low gear and report back.
Thanks

 

[varesecrazy]

The 500 engine is modern.. so has VVT
Variable Valve Timing

Its a device that varies the valve timing..
From plodding tractor around town .. to touring car on fast roads

It is operated by the engine oil... the oil supply can be compromised.. but yours sounds more like a minor mismatch of the engine timing

There are a few variables to that :-(

 

[stewartkingswood]

Given it a good run in the lower gears, held at around 3500 -4000 revs for a couple of miles no issues. Have booked it in with a Fiat specialist on Wednesday for a full check, so we’ll see what he finds.

 

[stewartkingswood]

Car checked no fault codes, he did an ecu reset and recoded for the cam belt install previous garage hadn’t done that. He found 1 plug lead iffy and replaced. Will just have to see how it goes
thanks for the replies and comments

 

[stewartkingswood]

Well a month has gone by with a few motorway journeys plus some cross country with no issues so it seems the Ecu has done the trick.
thanks to Alan at woodcock motors in Willerby Hull

 

[varesecrazy]

Well a month has gone by with a few motorway journeys plus some cross country with no issues so it seems the Ecu has done the trick.
thanks to Alan at woodcock motors in Willerby Hull

Thats good news..

Out of interest.. what did the 2nd garage charge for the reading of errors and the Reset ?

It will help give subsequent 500 owners an idea of what is likely to be involved

 

[stewartkingswood]

Alan was the only garage I used and I thought his charge of £65 including a plug lead was more than reasonably. My main Fiat dealer wanted at least£150 which was only for plugging in the reader, if it needed any further work that was extra!

 

[Chopin]

Alan was the only garage I used and I thought his charge of £65 including a plug lead was more than reasonably. My main Fiat dealer wanted at least£150 which was only for plugging in the reader, if it needed any further work that was extra!

Hijacking this a little as my twinair has been misbehaving in all areas and after a new clutch, accel pedal and MAF it runs better than ever BUT.. every now and again it does as you describe, goes into a limp situation which may pass or needs a stop/start - No codes or CEL - Fallen out with FIAT after the state of car returned following clutch (loose under tray, cyl head harness bolt missing, grubby) so what is needed for an ECU 'reset'? - Thx

 

[stewartkingswood]

Hi,
I am afraid I think it needs to visit someone who can access the Ecu and do the reset, either Fiat main agent or some one with the correct equipment. I was lucky that the guy I use is exFiat but still has all the equipment. I don’t think it is DIY, someone might show a way, but that would be beyond my skill set.
sorry

 

[varesecrazy]

I tried posting.. Obviously failed an hour or so ago

You need to:


1 read a fault code
2 Search that error on here

3 report back.. Ask any further questions


I have the same car... Assuming me are discussing a Twinair Panda

The OBD how GUIDE to is MINE

 

[Chopin]

I tried posting.. Obviously failed an hour or so ago

You need to:


1 read a fault code
2 Search that error on here

3 report back.. Ask any further questions


I have the same car... Assuming me are discussing a Twinair Panda

The OBD how GUIDE to is MINE

That's the head scratcher - No fault code, No CEL (and yes the CEL works as I tested it with a fault)

 

[Terrijane10]

Sorry hijacking this post too, My daughter's 14 plate fiat 500 doing exactly the same our local garage had it for 2weeks and couldn't find a fault yet once again driving to Essex from Cleethorpes gets to the A1 and limp mode sets in once she overtakes and hits 70 start stop/light and engine management lights are on, she pulls over and stops the car then starts it up and all lights have disappeared. This happens 3 plus times on her journey, yet on her way back to Cleethorpes if she stays around 60 it doesn't happen but she can't keep driving down them main roads at 60mph it's dangerous
Any advice for a worried mum

 

[Chopin]

Sorry no advice I can give but unlike mine you are at least getting Management light which means a fault code will be in the system to guide you in the right direction. In my case I was getting limp mode every 2 or 3 miles so went back to the beginning and gave it a service with all filters, better oil and only the result I get limp mode about every 100 kms now (didn't do the plugs) - still massively annoying and considering the number of FIAT's suffering from this malady I am stunned the FIAT guys have no clue

 

[varesecrazy]

Sorry hijacking this post too, My daughter's 14 plate fiat 500 doing exactly the same our local garage had it for 2weeks and couldn't find a fault yet once again driving to Essex from Cleethorpes gets to the A1 and limp mode sets in once she overtakes and hits 70 start stop/light and engine management lights are on, she pulls over and stops the car then starts it up and all lights have disappeared. This happens 3 plus times on her journey, yet on her way back to Cleethorpes if she stays around 60 it doesn't happen but she can't keep driving down them main roads at 60mph it's dangerous
Any advice for a worried mum

Hi, and welcome to you both

There Is still a chance it is down to the basics of the "cam belt timing"..

Somehow the 500 seems Very fussy with this..

Your garage may not have the experience or kit to investigate this fully

So you are based in Lincs?
I am in Cardiff.. So cannot recommend anywhere.. but can give you some reading to try and offer some hope

Fiat 500 1.2 8V timing belt replacement / error code P0016-76 | FIAT 500 (2007+)

So apologies again as I’ve only scanned the previous comments but is the crank pulley on correctly and the locating pin isn’t missing, squashed or sheared. The Fix is in post 5 Belt was off by one tooth

www.fiatforum.com

Did any of the info.. AND CODES FOR ERRORS.. Feature in your local garage time?