Technical Fiat Punto Active - a few issues needing some help!

[WildAsta]

So I may have posted in the wrong section before - please forgive me, I wasn't aware of where to post, nor the model of the Fiat until I actually looked down the side to see that it was an active.

However the issues I'm currently facing are these:

• The radio cannot seem to find the KISS radio station which is the ultimate sadness for me. (This isn't really that big of an issue as I can use a phone, but I'd prefer it to be coming through the radio for better sound quality.)
  
• The rear washer doesn't work. I am not entirely sure why, but it just dribbles out the bottom rather than coming through the holey-bits.
  

If anyone can help me with these, I would appreciate immensely. The details of my car are below:

Fiat Punto 2004 Active 1.2

 

[quaffle]

So I may have posted in the wrong section before - please forgive me, I wasn't aware of where to post, nor the model of the Fiat until I actually looked down the side to see that it was an active.

However the issues I'm currently facing are these:

• The radio cannot seem to find the KISS radio station which is the ultimate sadness for me. (This isn't really that big of an issue as I can use a phone, but I'd prefer it to be coming through the radio for better sound quality.)
  
• The rear washer doesn't work. I am not entirely sure why, but it just dribbles out the bottom rather than coming through the holey-bits.
  

If anyone can help me with these, I would appreciate immensely. The details of my car are below:

Fiat Punto 2004 Active 1.2

Hello and welcome. You've found the right part of the forum. You have a Punto 1.2 litre, 8 valve engine (I can tell that from the "Active" badge that you've identified). The 2004 model was one of the last of the second generation Punto that ran from (1999–2004). You may hear your version referred to as a Punto MK2 facelift or the MK2B. This might help you in the future when looking about online.

Regarding your radio issue. KISS broadcasts across the nation via DAB (digital radio). Your Punto will not have a digital radio in it as standard (your phone does - or an ability to get a digital signal, anyway). The car just has an AM/FM radio. According to Wikipedia, KISS is only broadcast on FM in London, Bristol and the Severn Estuary, and East Anglia. Are you in one of these locations?

If you are, try re-scanning the radio. I don't have a standard (default) Fiat radio in my car any more but I believe it was done by pressing one of the arrow buttons on the right hand side. Failing that you can try manually tuning to FM: 106.1 MHz (Norwich) FM: 105.6 MHz (Cambridge) or FM: 106.4 MHz (Ipswich & Colchester).

Regarding your washer at the back. It is probably clogged. You can take a small needle and stick it up the washer jet holes that you will observe if you look at the underside of it. Wiggle the needle around (carefully). Do both holes (if there are two - I can't remember). Try operating your washer jet again. You might have broken up the sludge in there enough for the water pressure to force it out and start working again. Might take a few goes.

Failing this, you will need to remove the washer jet from the rear of the car and give it a good clean out. I usually find washing it in, warm, soapy water and blasting it under a tap cleans them out pretty well. It is not a difficult task. I can provide some photographs from the Haynes manual (basically a DIY guide) if you'd like to have a go. It is always better to try and fix something without having to disturb all the fixings and clips though, hence my initial poking it with a needle suggestion!

Here is a fairly decent YouTube video that may help.

 

[WildAsta]

Hello and welcome. You've found the right part of the forum. You have a Punto 1.2 litre, 8 valve engine (I can tell that from the "Active" badge that you've identified). The 2004 model was one of the last of the second generation Punto that ran from (1999–2004). You may hear your version referred to as a Punto MK2 facelift or the MK2B. This might help you in the future when looking about online.

Regarding your radio issue. KISS broadcasts across the nation via DAB (digital radio). Your Punto will not have a digital radio in it as standard (your phone does - or an ability to get a digital signal, anyway). The car just has an AM/FM radio. According to Wikipedia, KISS is only broadcast on FM in London, Bristol and the Severn Estuary, and East Anglia. Are you in one of these locations?

If you are, try re-scanning the radio. I don't have a standard (default) Fiat radio in my car any more but I believe it was done by pressing one of the arrow buttons on the right hand side. Failing that you can try manually tuning to FM: 106.1 MHz (Norwich) FM: 105.6 MHz (Cambridge) or FM: 106.4 MHz (Ipswich & Colchester).

Regarding your washer at the back. It is probably clogged. You can take a small needle and stick it up the washer jet holes that you will observe if you look at the underside of it. Wiggle the needle around (carefully). Do both holes (if there are two - I can't remember). Try operating your washer jet again. You might have broken up the sludge in there enough for the water pressure to force it out and start working again. Might take a few goes.

Failing this, you will need to remove the washer jet from the rear of the car and give it a good clean out. I usually find washing it in, warm, soapy water and blasting it under a tap cleans them out pretty well. It is not a difficult task. I can provide some photographs from the Haynes manual (basically a DIY guide) if you'd like to have a go. It is always better to try and fix something without having to disturb all the fixings and clips though, hence my initial poking it with a needle suggestion!

Here is a fairly decent YouTube video that may help.

Oh wow! This was incredibly insightful, thank you!

As for the radio:
Yes I am in East Anglia, and I've tried to do a manual scan but it seems to just skip past the desired channel, so I'm not all too sure what else I can try.

As for the rear washers:
I've tried giving them a little poke and a little wiggle but there's still no luck, so I'll try the next step you suggested. Thank you!

 

[quaffle]

Oh wow! This was incredibly insightful, thank you!

As for the radio:
Yes I am in East Anglia, and I've tried to do a manual scan but it seems to just skip past the desired channel, so I'm not all too sure what else I can try.

As for the rear washers:
I've tried giving them a little poke and a little wiggle but there's still no luck, so I'll try the next step you suggested. Thank you!

That's interesting. The signal probably isn't strong enough. Try doing it when you're next in a geographically higher location. Might pick it up automatically or I think you tune manually by using the up/down arrows instead of the left/right arrows. Maybe you hold them in? I can't remember.

If you decide to have ago, you will need to remove the high level brake light first (obviously, you don't need to remove the bulb like the image below suggests, just the plastic surround).

Once exposed, you can remove the tubing from the nozzle using your fingers. Don't use pliers if possible or you will risk putting a little hole in the tube and it will leak. I've made that mistake. Grip it near where it attaches to the nozzle to avoid stretching the rubber of the pipe (and potentially tearing it). Take your time and work it off. It will be a little stiff and you have to get it over a little plastic lip. Patience is key.

I've uploaded some images for you with instructions. Hopefully they're clear enough.

 

[WildAsta]

That's interesting. The signal probably isn't strong enough. Try doing it when you're next in a geographically higher location. Might pick it up automatically or I think you tune manually by using the up/down arrows instead of the left/right arrows. Maybe you hold them in? I can't remember.

I did try this, I live in an area where I'd believe it to be quite a strong signal but it just continuously skips through. I never had this issue previously with my Toyota Avensis which leads me to believe that it's the radio in the Fiat. The manual attempts and automatic scans just continue to overlook the channel, but if push comes to shove, I can just use a playlist on my phone or possibly upgrade the radio at some point in time... if that's even possible?

If you decide to have ago, you will need to remove the high level brake light first (obviously, you don't need to remove the bulb like the image below suggests, just the plastic surround).

Once exposed, you can remove the tubing from the nozzle using your fingers. Don't use pliers if possible or you will risk putting a little hole in the tube and it will leak. I've made that mistake. Grip it near where it attaches to the nozzle to avoid stretching the rubber of the pipe (and potentially tearing it). Take your time and work it off. It will be a little stiff and you have to get it over a little plastic lip. Patience is key.

I've uploaded some images for you with instructions. Hopefully they're clear enough.

These are brilliant, thank you! I'll certainly get my dad to give it ago - I'm most certainly not going to try that when I'm more of a clutz than anything else.

 

[Mike1alike]

The manual attempts and automatic scans just continue to overlook the channel, but if push comes to shove, I can just use a playlist on my phone or possibly upgrade the radio at some point in time... if that's even possible?

You can upgrade your radio, of course. But...
I think you should be able to find Kiss radio station on the one you have now. First try the manual setting. Make sure you know the correct freqency they air in your area, scan the channels and when close to the frequency you need press the back arrow if the scanning went automatic and then adjust it if needed to be set exactly. Memorise it. If it still doesn't work it means you have a problem with your aerial antenna. Do you have one (many times they brake and many people do not replace or fix them)? And if you do, you have to check it to be connected to the radio.

 

[WildAsta]

You can upgrade your radio, of course. But...
I think you should be able to find Kiss radio station on the one you have now. First try the manual setting. Make sure you know the correct freqency they air in your area, scan the channels and when close to the frequency you need press the back arrow if the scanning went automatic and then adjust it if needed to be set exactly. Memorise it. If it still doesn't work it means you have a problem with your aerial antenna. Do you have one (many times they brake and many people do not replace or fix them)? And if you do, you have to check it to be connected to the radio.

I do have an antenna, it's not in very good condition though. I'm not sure what the previous owners did with the car.

 

[Mike1alike]

But is the cable connected to the radio? To check that you need to take the radio out because the connection is at the back side. How do the posts you find hear? Very clear or not so much?! Although, if they have a very strong signal they can hear clear on your radio even with the cable disconnected. But if the Kiss station airs in your place, normally you should be able to find them.

 

[WildAsta]

But is the cable connected to the radio? To check that you need to take the radio out because the connection is at the back side. How do the posts you find hear? Very clear or not so much?! Although, if they have a very strong signal they can hear clear on your radio even with the cable disconnected. But if the Kiss station airs in your place, normally you should be able to find them.

It's all attached properly yeah, I guess I'll just make do with what I have, but how would I go about upgrading the radio on the car? Is there a specific place I'd need to go to?

I'm sorry for all the questions, I'm a tad bit new to all this.

 

[quaffle]

It's all attached properly yeah, I guess I'll just make do with what I have, but how would I go about upgrading the radio on the car? Is there a specific place I'd need to go to?

I'm sorry for all the questions, I'm a tad bit new to all this.

I was the same when I started with my car. I bought my FIAT Punto 10 years ago now and still have it. I've learnt a lot maintaining it.

So in order to replace the head unit (the thing with the knobs and the buttons that you use to select a station) in our MK2B Puntos is slightly more complicated than in older versions.

1. You need a new headunit (I think I paid about £15 for one of eBay 10 years ago). Remove the old headunit from your Punto.

2. A little radio surround like the one in the picture attached. Here is one on eBay. In case that link dies, "Punto radio surround or Punto radio fascia" will bring up a load of results. It looks like it comes with the little pin tools needed to get the old head unit out.

3. Now unfortunately, the MK2B Punto has as CANBUS system and does not use a dedicated +12 v wire to the stereo. This is something that aftermarket head units require. You will have to fashion one yourself somehow. There is a guide on the forums that instructs you to take a piggyback fuse and hook into the circuit that supplies +12 v to the cigarette lighter (this is always on when you turn start the car, and turns off when you remove the key - ideal).

4. So what you do is you get your piggy back fuse wire (see picture- they're like £2 on eBay). Remove the 20 amp (A) fuse for the cigarette lighter from the drivers side fuse box. Stick the piggyback connector in the hole. Put a 15 A fuse and a 2 A fuse in the piggy back connector

15 A + 2 A = 17 A (it's safe as there was originally a 20 A fuse there).

Crimp a bit of wire to the piggy back connector (the blue crimp will accept a wire). That bit of wire needs connecting to the new head unit. You can feed it from the fuse box, under the steering wheel (our of sight) and up behind the centre console and connect it to the bit of the plastic connector of the FIAT wiring loom that will ultimately connect to your new head unit.

5. Connect the wiring connector with your new +12 v wire to your new headunit. Place your plastic fascia that you've bought into the hole left by the original stereo. Wiggle in your new head unit. Done.

Sound confusing but it's pretty doable. Once you understand what you're doing and have the parts in front of you it's pretty easy to see what goes where.

Also bare in mind that I cannot guarantee this will fix your KISS radio receiving issue. This might sound dumb but is the aerial fully up? You can change the angle of the aerial on the roof of the car from more flat (180°) to kind of pointing upwards (90°).

 

[WildAsta]

I was the same when I started with my car. I bought my FIAT Punto 10 years ago now and still have it. I've learnt a lot maintaining it.

So in order to replace the head unit (the thing with the knobs and the buttons that you use to select a station) in our MK2B Puntos is slightly more complicated than in older versions.

1. You need a new headunit (I think I paid about £15 for one of eBay 10 years ago). Remove the old headunit from your Punto.

2. A little radio surround like the one in the picture attached. Here is one on eBay. In case that link dies, "Punto radio surround or Punto radio fascia" will bring up a load of results. It looks like it comes with the little pin tools needed to get the old head unit out.

3. Now unfortunately, the MK2B Punto has as CANBUS system and does not use a dedicated +12 v wire to the stereo. This is something that aftermarket head units require. You will have to fashion one yourself somehow. There is a guide on the forums that instructs you to take a piggyback fuse and hook into the circuit that supplies +12 v to the cigarette lighter (this is always on when you turn start the car, and turns off when you remove the key - ideal).

4. So what you do is you get your piggy back fuse wire (see picture- they're like £2 on eBay). Remove the 20 amp (A) fuse for the cigarette lighter from the drivers side fuse box. Stick the piggyback connector in the hole. Put a 15 A fuse and a 2 A fuse in the piggy back connector

15 A + 2 A = 17 A (it's safe as there was originally a 20 A fuse there).

Crimp a bit of wire to the piggy back connector (the blue crimp will accept a wire). That bit of wire needs connecting to the new head unit. You can feed it from the fuse box, under the steering wheel (our of sight) and up behind the centre console and connect it to the bit of the plastic connector of the FIAT wiring loom that will ultimately connect to your new head unit.

5. Connect the wiring connector with your new +12 v wire to your new headunit. Place your plastic fascia that you've bought into the hole left by the original stereo. Wiggle in your new head unit. Done.

Sound confusing but it's pretty doable. Once you understand what you're doing and have the parts in front of you it's pretty easy to see what goes where.

Also bare in mind that I cannot guarantee this will fix your KISS radio receiving issue. This might sound dumb but is the aerial fully up? You can change the angle of the aerial on the roof of the car from more flat (180°) to kind of pointing upwards (90°).

This is incredibly informative, so thank you so much!

 

[quaffle]

This is incredibly informative, so thank you so much!

No worries. In the time that has elapsed since I was investigating all this, it looks like you can get very cheap, new, Chinese head units that will fit.

For example this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetoot...-Dash-MP3-USB-SD-FM-Phone-Non-CD/313392354164

It will give you the ability to use Bluetooth, aux input and charge your phone via USB it seems. I cannot vouch for how well or poorly these cheap units work. But hey, it's like £20. Might be worth a shot. I wouldn't throw much more than that into doing this job. It's pretty non-critical and they're 17 year old cars at this point. Searching eBay for "head unit" brings up a lot of various models.

You will need to follow the steps I listed above still. If you have your dad helping, you will definitely be able to figure it out between you. If you get stuck, I can go out to my car and (same as yours) and take some more detailed pictures of the procedure.

 

[WildAsta]

No worries. In the time that has elapsed since I was investigating all this, it looks like you can get very cheap, new, Chinese head units that will fit.

For example this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetoot...-Dash-MP3-USB-SD-FM-Phone-Non-CD/313392354164

It will give you the ability to use Bluetooth, aux input and charge your phone via USB it seems. I cannot vouch for how well or poorly these cheap units work. But hey, it's like £20. Might be worth a shot. I wouldn't throw much more than that into doing this job. It's pretty non-critical and they're 17 year old cars at this point. Searching eBay for "head unit" brings up a lot of various models.

You will need to follow the steps I listed above still. If you have your dad helping, you will definitely be able to figure it out between you. If you get stuck, I can go out to my car and (same as yours) and take some more detailed pictures of the procedure.

You're very sweet, thank you.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

The most common problem with the Mk2 punto Radio is the base of the antenna fracturing, and while it looks in tact the aerial is not making a proper connection with the base anymore.

This is easily rectified with a cheap £12 aerial off amazon and about 20 minutes to pop out the interior light, unscrew the old aerial base from behind it, then put the new aerial on the roof and screw it in from behind the interior light again, making sure to get the connections to the aerial correct.

Something like this https://amzn.to/3qjEczs

 

[quaffle]

The most common problem with the Mk2 punto Radio is the base of the antenna fracturing, and while it looks in tact the aerial is not making a proper connection with the base anymore.

This is easily rectified with a cheap £12 aerial off amazon and about 20 minutes to pop out the interior light, unscrew the old aerial base from behind it, then put the new aerial on the roof and screw it in from behind the interior light again, making sure to get the connections to the aerial correct.

Something like this https://amzn.to/3qjEczs

Very good point. Mine was actually cracked at the base but it only cosmetic. It could be that it is worse in the original poster's case.

I actually got a base and replacement aerial for about the same price as they can be stuck in base pretty good or just bent.

Here's an example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aerial-Mast-Base-for-Fiat-Punto-2-3-Seicento-Bravo-Brava-Doblo-Ducato-51995445/373360557041

EDIT: I came back to add that the fuse for the cigarette lighter that you might need to know for the replacement head unit installation is F44 in the cabin fuse box (below and to the right of the steering wheel on right hand drive cars). If it doesn't say F44 or anything on it, it is the very bottom of the second column in from the left (see terrible resolution image - F44 highlighted in red).