Technical Fiat 500 always going wrong!!!

[Clg172642]

Hi, so I have owned my 2013 fiat 500 since 2016 and there has been a lot of problems that I won't go too much into.

Basically, the spark plugs have gone once and there was a problem not long after I got them replaced where it had similar symptoms as the last time. However, this was not the case and cost a hefty £500 to sort out.

Now, I feel as though it is the same problem as the second time. My ABS light has already come up every journey I make and stays on the whole duration. I have been to one garage where they hooked it up to the diagnostic socket and they couldn't find the problem. My MOT is due at the end of the month but I'm worried it is going to cost me a fortune to get fixed.

In summary my problem is the ABS light, the vehicle feeling like the handbrake is always on (which it isn't) like a pulling feeling and the fact that my fuel is draining.

Please can someone give my advice or give their thoughts on the problem. TIA

 

[jrkitching]

Hi, so I have owned my 2013 fiat 500 since 2016 and there has been a lot of problems that I won't go too much into.

Basically, the spark plugs have gone once and there was a problem not long after I got them replaced where it had similar symptoms as the last time. However, this was not the case and cost a hefty £500 to sort out.

Now, I feel as though it is the same problem as the second time. My ABS light has already come up every journey I make and stays on the whole duration. I have been to one garage where they hooked it up to the diagnostic socket and they couldn't find the problem. My MOT is due at the end of the month but I'm worried it is going to cost me a fortune to get fixed.

In summary my problem is the ABS light, the vehicle feeling like the handbrake is always on (which it isn't) like a pulling feeling and the fact that my fuel is draining.

Please can someone give my advice or give their thoughts on the problem. TIA

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear about your problems.

Spark plugs are a routine service item; fitting better quality parts generally provides a long lasting fix, particularly on 1.2/1.4 engines.

The brakes are a different issue; you clearly have a problem and, unless you know your way around the mechanical parts of a car, you will need to have the problem properly diagnosed by someone who knows what they are doing. Fiat main dealers are notoriously expensive for this kind of work and I'd suggest you find either a brake specialist or an independent Fiat specialist. General purpose independent garages often do not have the specialised diagnostic tools that are sometimes required to properly troubleshoot these systems.

Irrespective of the need for an MOT, this type of brake problem is a serious safety item and I'd recommend you don't drive the car more than is absolutely necessary until it's sorted out.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you that the final bill is as small as it possibly can be.

 

[typecastboy]

I think I might know what this is. I didn’t have the light on but I had binding brakes which actually brought me to a complete stop and nearly burning the clutch out.

After lots of searching I managed to find that the brake pedal where it pivots has a pin through it which holds the two parts together. The pin was bent and was stopping the pedal from returning properly. I figured it out as I hooked my foot under the pedal and I could feel it was pulling up maybe 10mm, if that. It was enough to hold the car on a hill and I couldn’t roll on a slight incline. You could feel the car come to a sudden stop at very slow speed rather than a gradual stop.

Try it, hook your foot under the pedal, pull it up, then have a drive. If its ok, but after braking it does it again, that’s the problem. Get your head down there and you will see it. Tap it straight and out some grease on the pivot part. Fingers crossed that works for you.

 

[John202020]

Have you tested the brakes to see if the abs is off? On a clear road with nothing g around slam on the brakes at 20 mph do the wheels lock up? If you're unhappy doing this then dont. There have been cases of the instrument cluster failing showing amongst others the abs light on even though they're fine .

 

[Leatherlip]

I know how you feel. I’ve had mine will be 4 weeks on the 22nd March and had nothing but issue after issue. :-(

I feel your pain, hope you get it sorted x