Technical FIAT 500 F only starts by pushing it

[FabAni]

Hello guys,

hope you are all well

Our Fiat 500 F (1971) doesn't start anymore by pulling up the lever. It doesn't crank/make any noise and the lever feels a bit looser.

So it never really starts when it's hot and yesterday we drove for an hour, stopped and after 5 minutes had to leave again and wasn't starting. I tried the lever a few times and then it stopped making the starting noises.

If we push her, she starts fine and drive perfectly.

What do you think it could have happened?

Thanks so much in advance

 

[ZaphodB]

Our Fiat 500 F (1971) doesn't start anymore by Pulling up the lever. It doesn't crank/make any noise and the lever feels a bit looser.

What do you think it could have happened?

Starter Cable snapped/broken?

Example part:

Pardon our interruption...

 

[smart51]

Make sure the gearbox is in neutral. Switch on the ignition. Push the starter arm in the engine bay with a long stick. If it cranks, the problem is with the starter cable or lever.

 

[JumpJet]

Make sure the gearbox is in neutral. Switch on the ignition. Push the starter arm in the engine bay with a long stick. If it cranks, the problem is with the starter cable or lever.

This. I carry around a 75cm wooden rod in the back seat just in case the starter cable breaks. It's long enough to engage the start arm without getting burned. Just turn the ignition on, and push away, modulating the throttle lever as necessary to get it to start.

 

[FabAni]

Hello guys! Thanks so much for your advice!

So sorry about the ignorance but I am assuming I am doing it wrong? As you are mentioning burning and I am doing it with my fingers? I try to use a piece of wood too but nothing happens. Is this right?
9
Thank you so much! Sorry I am a newbie

 

[smart51]

Hello guys! Thanks so much for your advice!

So sorry about the ignorance but I am assuming I am doing it wrong? As you are mentioning burning and I am doing it with my fingers? I try to use a piece of wood too but nothing happens. Is this right?
9
Thank you so much! Sorry I am a newbie

The arm you are pushing in the video is the throttle. That will rev the engine when it is running. We're talking about the arm on the starter motor, which connects to the flywheel. You will need a stick about a metre long to reach it, and you have to push the stick through the gap between the exhaust pipes. This is not a problem when the engine is cold, but those pipes will cause a nasty burn when hot.

 

[FabAni]

Oh amazing! Thanks for your help! Is there any chance you could show me where and how it looks like with a photo/video?

Much appreciated your help!!

 

[smart51]

I have a 595cc engine, so the starter arm is in a different place to yours.

 

[FabAni]

Hello guys just tried but unfrotuantely it's practically impossible to get to it with a stick in a normal 500c Model F! I think it needs to be lifted up in order to access it. As far as I can see, when we lift the level the cable is still moving so I don't think the cable snapped but it seems like is a bit looser at the end and it's not pulling the starte motor arm as strongly!

I didn't try to push it with my hand but nothing happens, I don't know if I didn't apply enough strenght!

Thank you