Technical Fiat idea 1.4 16v problems please help

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Technical Fiat idea 1.4 16v problems please help

rafiuisawu

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Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum, I have been reading through many posts and getting ideas on what to do and how to go about DIY on my car as I have no mechanic knowledge.


The car is a dualogic transmission car, I bought it a month ago but never enjoyed it for 24 hours. the first day we bought it and driving it home it showed an engine failure warning on the dash, was jerking and very slow to take off so the next day I took it to the local garage I have been using for some years now., on the way I noted the ar was cutting out so I had to jump start it with my insignia whilst my woman drive the idea.

The garage did diagnostic test and came out with misfire coil pack 1 & 2 was replaced and yet we had the same engine failure warning, another scan showed P0115 Engine coolant temperature sensor 1 circuit, tmep sensor was replaced by the garage and yet the fault won't go. When the sensor plug is disconnected the fan starts rolloing non stop and when the code is cleared the fan stop rolling and start again but when the sensor plug is connected back then the cooling fan will not work. after some time I sent the ECU off for testing and came back with no fault then I was forced to drive the car home as the garage said they can't tell why the sensor is behaving like that.

On our way home I had to jump start the car over 10 times as it was cutting out, bringing out smokes and making some funny cracking noise. Next morning I cheked the oil and coolant level and noted both of them were short so i top them up and the EML light went off so I drove the car around for about 30mins with no issue so I took the risk and drove it to work instead of my insignia. the journey altogether will be about 32miles.

Following day i got the confidence to drive it again but unfortunately it was worse than ever, suddenly on the way the car wont change gear, limited range warning, a very high white smoke like thick fog so drove the car in 1 gear for almost 3 miles back home.

I bought a MS509 scanner, run test and got
P0115 ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR 1 CIRCUIT
P0325 KNOCK SENSOR 1 CIRCUIT BANK 1 or SINGLE SENSOR

STORED CODE P2029 FUEL FIRED HEATER DISABLED

I cleared the codes and the lights went out, allowed to car to rest for 2 days and drove it today for like 5 mins and the cracky noise wasn't there, the EML light was mainly coming on due to the P0115, tried removing the sensor plug and same fan roll continuously, lear ode stops fan rolling and the knock sensor not appearing again after multiple scans.

I wonder what the causes of this are especially the temp sensor.

I have ordered for EML, MULTIECUSCAN ABLES AND VAG USB INTERFACE AND ALSO I guess I have added too much oil so i am thinking of draining some of it.

Every help will be appreciated. Thanks All
 
Hi, :)
you've got a problem with earth points or wiring, :(

that's why you get weird messages, and if it cannot get signals from the sensors, the ECU will try altering things ( in the wrong way):eek:

1st though, - get the oil, and coolant levels correct;)

Charlie - used to look after a 1.4 Duologic Idea
 
Hi varesecrazy I have tried checking for the earths on the meter yesterday using the continuous method and I also loose the earth cables on the battery and stractj them surfuaces and cables with metal to rip off those dirts, I also used the multiecuscan which also adviced me to check for the resistance on the temp sensor which I did by taking out the temp sensor using both cold and hot water to see if the reading on the meter goes up or down and it was ok. I dont know know how to check for short or weak wiring as I am just trying this for the first time so I dont know if it will he expensive taking it to fiat and hopefully it should be a easy fix for them you recon??

Another concern I have now is when I tried taking out the engine oil as the one inside is now lite and black so I look under the engine bay by the passenger side and saw a bold which I unscrew but unfortunately no fluid came out from there and was thinking if I have opened a wrong one but if that one wasnt for the engine oil then it should either be for the transmission fluid but since nothing came out of it, no sign of transmission fluid dipstick like in other cars, no guage at the engine compartment. Please where do I locate where to drain the engine oil if am to change it completely and where do I locate the guage and drain plug for transmission fluid. I have a picture of where the bolt I loose under the engine but dont know how to share it with you.
 

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Hi,

I would NOT go to a FIAT dealer, their labour rates are horrendous - for the level of expertise you'd get,
find a FIAT/Alfa specialist, they will understand more of the car's systems AND have a cheaper labour rate..,

only automatics tend to have a dipstick, yours is a manual gearbox, will just have a level / filler plug on the forward face, and a drain (at the rear)

what is your photo of..?,
it looks like its been weeping for a while
 
Hi all, thanks so much for this forum and big thanks to you varesecrazy for your advice.

I called the fiat dealers to book the car in and they have no space till 4th april and will have to diagnose for £54.00, he suspects head gasket but till then so I followed my guts, did my best all day today found the oil drain plug but not able to loose it as its a bit hard so took it to nearby garage where the guy did a visual inspection and practical checks on the cooling fan, he revv the car continuously till the temperatie guage goes high then suddenly the fan kicks in, then some smoke came from the radiator. He removed all old oil which was about 7 litres my mistake as I was curious about the car. He added new oil and revv the car again, checked the coolant and too it up to level and he charged me £30.00 for this quick job. I took the car back home and did diagnostic test and no error code was found. I have done over 15miles on the car today with no issue at all. Gear change fine, no EML light again and did put the old battery back in and drove about 10miles so taking the new battery back to Halford for refund tomorrow. I am a happy one again and my mrs have just been blushing and smiling around the house all evening. Thank you so much.
 
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