General Intermittent Grande Punto start problem

[ROB HUNT]

Hi please help,
Having intermittent start problem with GP 1.4 Sporting, turn the key and nothing - battery is fine but no click from solenoid, lights don't dim and jump leads don't work. After attempted bump start the key then worked. Last happened 18 months ago and ok since then but now come back. It might start tomorrow but who knows.

 

[colbar72]

On Sunday there was torrential rain here, the car was facing into the wind/rain all day and night. On Monday, morning went out, turned the key, all dash lights went on but the starter motor would not turn over, tried again, same. Third attempt the starter turned over. This morning there was a slight hesitation for a few seconds before the starter turned over. I have been reading that the fuse box under the engine bay is susceptible to water ingress. I think it drips of the plastic scuttle then on top of one of the wiring bundles which is clamped at the bottom of the fuse box then seeps inside. ( I could be wrong though) There is a foam/rubber part what sits between the wing and the rubber strip which runs along the scuttle. Mine is missing, So this doesn't help. This weekend i am going to take it off and investigate. Could be water in the fuse box causing your problem.

 

[ROB HUNT]

Thanks Colbar. Fiat garage had it on diagnostics but of course the starter was working fine when I took it in so they found nothing. I need to get it to them when it won't start but easier said than done - always the problem with intermittent fault. I sometimes think damp may be the problem but then again it has been out all day in driving rain and still fires up first time. As the solenoid does not click when the problem is there I am suspecting the ign. switch or relay.

 

[colbar72]

At 7am i went out to the car and the same happened, all lights on but the starter wouldn't turn, so lifted the bonnet and wiggled about the red wire that goes from the battery to the solenoid/starter..And it started fine. I am wondering if its a faulty wire. Mines seems like a bad connection or a bad/broken wire under the insulation. I have seen this before, the actual conductor strands are broken under the wire insulation, wiggle it about and it makes contact. I checked my fuse box, its dry. Got a multi-meter, so i am going to check the wiring tomorrow. This problem only seems to happen in the morning, not any other time..Odd

 

[varesecrazy]

presumably there is more load with everything stone cold,

shame there's not enough room to run a 2nd ( additional) red wire, Charlie