Technical Fiat 500 problems starting parked on a slope

[Fellinger]

Our Fiat 500 c is parked on a slope near our house. When standing there, he regularly has trouble starting. If I put our Fiat 500 in a different place without a slope, it always starts 100% well.

I read about this on the internet, also with other car brands. But many answers indicate that a slope does not affect car starting. But it is very strange. Who recognizes this and may have a solution, besides no longer parking there?

 

[koalar]

We need more information

Parked up or down hill doesn’t matter

Is the fuel pump operating noise under rear seats

Turning over yes/no or not catching

Usual suspect for this problem is battery, fuel pump, evap solenoid, ECU plugs and more

 

[Ralf S.]

Definitely voodoo.. Your "slope" parking spot is outside the house of an old gypsy woman and it's blocking her driveway...

In theory, the fuel rail, lines and injectors are all pressurised so should work even upside down.

But... if the car is pointing up hill then the fuel in the fuel rails could be draining down to the tank a little.. and the pump will have to pump fuel up the slope. That might just need extra time to do... but it's not something that should be severe enough to stop the car starting.

If your problem is when facing uphill, next time turn the ignition on... count to 3, then turn it off... do that a few times to "prime" the fuel lines as much as it might need... and then try to start it.

Usually the ignition primes the pump whenever you turn it on, so it may need a few "ignition on/offs" to pump enough fuel up hill.

Obviously, if you can't hear the pump priming at all, then that's a fault that would show up more if the fuel has drained from the engine end.


Ralf S.

 

[Fellinger]

Thanks for the answers here. In the end it was just a faulty battery.

 

[puntodeltathema]

Reminds me of an old Lancia Dedra I had - the injection relays were on the bulkhead and if you parked it facing downhill in the rain, water would get past the bonnet-to-bulkhead seal and flood the relays - no start. Fine otherwise. Took some diagnosing..... Happy days.

I'll get me coat.