help!

[paultopaul]

Im new to the fiat punto world and im no expert with cars so please go easy on me! if anyone answers me could you please answer with the idiots guide...
Got a punto 1.2 elx 16v on x reg..its been stood a while but im having problems getting it started..jump started it yesterday to get it home and once it was going it started ok..this morning it wouldnt start so i put another battery on and it started fine..took it for a 2 min run stopped and parked up,left it for maybe 15 mins and now it wont start again?..the lights on dash all come on ok but theres not even a crank when i turn the key to start?..the 'key code' light on the dash comes on at first turn of key and stays on?..also when i turn it to start the battery sign on the dash flashes?
Help!
I'd really like to be a fiat fan especially the Punto but im so frustrated.
An answer would be fantastic as ive been told the members on here are the best
Please answer with the idiots guide! Many thanks
Paul(new here today)

 

[kikbak66]

Hi Paul, only joined my self yest.... not got or had a punto but.. this may help till maybe some one with the punto comes up..... If when you turn the key all the way to start, does the dash lights go dim and when you release the key they become bright again... if so the starter is engaging but has not enough power to turn... so you have a power drain on you battery, this could be a short some were ? or the alternator is not charging. So when you run the car, the power is coming from the battery not the alternator, this will run the battery down fairly quick, specially if you have heaters on lights ect. and when you come to start the car it will be flat.. if you cant see the dash lights very well turn your lights on then turn the key all the way, they will dim right off if the power is to the starter.

If the lights on the dash stay the same when you turn the key all the way, then I should check that the wires to the starter , one big wire direct to starter and one small to the solenoid just on top of the starter( part of the same thing) because if no power drain then the starter is at fault, maybe . hope this helps abit to sort it... Phil

 

[paultopaul]

Phil
thanks for getting back to me...makes me believe that there really is someone there to help you and restores your faith somewhat too''i'll go and check the things youve mentioned nowand get back to you in 2 mins
Thanks again Phil

 

[paultopaul]

Phil
Been back to the car..turned ignition key...lights on dash all ok and bright..the key code light ...which an hour ago wouldnt go off.. went off this time but still no crank from the engine..just silence when i turn key to start?

 

[kikbak66]

Ok, there may be a 3rd thing but go back to that..... if the lights stay bright when turning the key..... then there is no power going to the starter. This could be again the fact you have a lose connection on the starter, but if there is a good connection, then first, the starter motor has completely failing ( slim ) or the 3rd thing, the immobilizer is kicking in, your car has a computer,this could be failing maybe because the battery is flat...
If I was you I would charge the battery up so you know its full, then go through the same processes, put battery on, try car, if starts and battery goes flat then its a power drain, ( most probably the alternator is not charging ) if there is still no sound or dimming of the lights when you turn the key all the way, then its the starter or immobilizer. Immobilizers can play about when the battery is flat, but in most cases the return to norm when a good battery is on... electrics are a little sticky some times, I have testers now so I can see amps ether from the alternator or battery, and also to starters... along with other things. Its a process of elimination.... and frustrating... sorry I am not helping any more,,, let me know if any change when you do this........ phil

 

[paultopaul]

Ok, there may be a 3rd thing but go back to that..... if the lights stay bright when turning the key..... then there is no power going to the starter. This could be again the fact you have a lose connection on the starter, but if there is a good connection, then first, the starter motor has completely failing ( slim ) or the 3rd thing, the immobilizer is kicking in, your car has a computer,this could be failing maybe because the battery is flat...
If I was you I would charge the battery up so you know its full, then go through the same processes, put battery on, try car, if starts and battery goes flat then its a power drain, ( most probably the alternator is not charging ) if there is still no sound or dimming of the lights when you turn the key all the way, then its the starter or immobilizer. Immobilizers can play about when the battery is flat, but in most cases the return to norm when a good battery is on... electrics are a little sticky some times, I have testers now so I can see amps ether from the alternator or battery, and also to starters... along with other things. Its a process of elimination.... and frustrating... sorry I am not helping any more,,, let me know if any change when you do this........ phil

Hi Phil
Thanks for replying you really have restored my faith in mankind! Ha..
Your right about the key code light on the dash...after a while its gone off then it comes back after so many turns of the key!..just put another battery on the car and hey presto the key code light has gone...unfortunately still no crank just lights on dash nice and bright..the battery i put on was half charged so not sure if that hasnt helped but intrestingly the battery i took off was drained when i put it onto charge?..not sure whats going on but its dark out there now and its bloody snowing!.. Ive decided to ring my garage mechanic and hes going to come and take a look over it...it needs a good looking over in general so hes gonna give it a once over...luckily hes a good guy and hopefully we'll get to the bottom of this together
Thanks for taking the time to reply Phil and if you want i'll let you know how it all goes...
Paul

 

[kikbak66]

Hay Paul, No problem, Sorry I couldn’t give you a quick fix, there the best ones. Sorry I was a work last night and yeah it started snowing here, and I came to work in my x'ey and she don't do snow, her arse drags in it.... So I had to make a run for it, Bet ya not far from me if the snow started a round the same time..... hope its a quick fix....yeah let me know how you get on.... its good to know....... I think there’s a Friends folder some were, I'll put you in see how you get on..........Phil