Technical Intermittent Starting Problem

[derekos82]

battery is new, checked
tried to jump yesterday and also have had roadside assitance attempt to jump it twice
all electrics are working (windows wipers etc)

battery man is around the corner, and I am under warranty, is it worth a shot?
are you sure?

 

[DaveMcT]

The clock pulls next to no power so if its not working its likely the battery is pretty flat.

Has the generator been checked out ok and are ALL the battery cable connections clean and tight.

 

[derekos82]

I was referring to my radio and it's digital clock, it's a removal thing but just thought it weird that it reset. totally unrelated

all connections of battery etc checked , havent checked the generator, dont know where that is to be honest

anyhow, the mechanic now has my keys and will get to the car when he can, perhaps thursday.

I'll report their findings, they are still saying it is the starter motor, even after i suggested the ticking is coming from the relay

thanks for all the help and tips, i know a bit more about my car now thanks to you guys. hopefully this gets sorted and is inexpensive then i am off to buy a diagnostic reader for it, so i can supply more details on here for future problems. negative thinking , but they do say FIAT = Fix It Again Tomorrow
this is certainly true with my auto

cheers again to all, keep an eye for my update

 

[Ffoxy]

Auto... did you say that before?

Dont Auto's have a starter inhibit?

 

[derekos82]

Auto as in my automobile
It's a manual

I'm not that lucky, to figure it out last hour

cheers though

 

[derekos82]

And the result is................They don't know

it wouldnt start for them, they saw the ticking etc. so went about what you guys said, checking all connections, earths, took out starter motor. all worked fine

cleaned it all, tightened it all up

and it started

£60, none the wiser

 

[gavinh87]

Check the earth on the throttle body is tight as fook, (4mm allen key bolt little black cable just above the HT leads) this sounds a lot like the problem i had.

 

[derekos82]

(total newbie to cars)
when you say check the earth , do you mean a cable?
any chance of a pic/diagram
or an idots guide of how to find this

by the way , have you had the problem since?

I am gonna count my losses and sell I think

Thanks for the info though

check my you tube vids, did you have the same ticking etc?

 

[Mar4ix]

You said it ticking in box in engine bay also, it looks like, starter have no power, but as you said, new battery installed, so it is not battery issue(saw your video).
Im not sure, the way power supplied to your starter, it could be through relay, try find somebody , with similar car, and change that relay , which is ticking in that box. I believe there is small problem, garage just keep you rip off, take money of you. try find fiat specialist, wit agreement, no fix no pay.

 

[Fiendy]

Greetings,
I had an odd problem with my JTD - clicking when trying to start or starting ok or funny light on the dash. Did all the usual checks, battery, starter motor, cleaning leads...
Turns out the earth cable from the battery to the gearbox had a break in it and would make full continuity at random. As it was sheathed it was impossible to tell.
Just another check...

 

[derekos82]

cheers i'll keep that in mind

still running fine since back from the garage. I must say sounds real healthy too.

touch wood

 

[DaveMcT]

Greetings,
I had an odd problem with my JTD - clicking when trying to start or starting ok or funny light on the dash. Did all the usual checks, battery, starter motor, cleaning leads...
Turns out the earth cable from the battery to the gearbox had a break in it and would make full continuity at random. As it was sheathed it was impossible to tell.
Just another check...

Earth leads should always be the first thing to check-out. Anything that feels loose or weak is suspect.

 

[derekos82]

i dont have a clue what earth leads are sorry or what to check/what I am looking for. sorry i am a real novice.

 

[derekos82]

update
ok around the time of the last posting i gave it to a mechanic in its non starting state
he basically doesnt know what the problem is
he said he did his initial diagnostic, eg checking terminals, un clipping battery checking starter, cleaning all terminals etc and when he did this...hey presto it started.

so i got a good 6-8 weeks troublefree (summer time)
thursday 2 weeks back, it happened again - left it for two days idle
on the sunday it started trying to turn over, spluttered and with perserverence it started

today tuesday morning 7am (a week and 4 days later)
nothing again
but no murmur or ticking this time, just absolutely nothing.
so i said i would turn on the heater see would this help
gave it 5 mins
little splutter
another few minutes, we're getting there
then a mate came along and gave me a push and I got it going.
Got to my destination and it started again.

will it start later today? who knows

anyone know got any ideas? as after 3 visits to a mechanics its pointless asking them

 

[derekos82]

Anyone?

a mate has said to spray WD40 under the bonnet, is this ok?

is there anywhere under there that WD40 could damage (i know this sounds like a stupid question, but just double checking)

 

[DaveMcT]

It sounds like a failing battery. If it starts on jump leads, you need a new battery. Get a good one; don't skimp on price.

BUT, if you have an aftermarket stereo that might be wired incorrectly and draining the battery overnight.

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-gui...ereo-ignition-using-iso-yellow-red-wires.html

 

[derekos82]

new battery with two year warranty. lights work, elec windows, heating etc when car is in non working state. not flicking lights on dash etc
mechanics, road side assistance said its fine.

have tryed jump starting in this state - no go, so have roadside assistance with their jumper thingy
it was a bump start i got this morning

i do have a aftermarket stereo.

 

[derekos82]

UPDATE

it happened again this morning so further ruling out can be done
since the aftermarket radio suggestion, i have taken the radio out everytime i switch off the igniton. i thought i cracked it as no problem for ages. then yesterday this happened

about 4pm Sunday: drove to town, bit of traffic, stop starting, engine is running hot
park up, come back an 1hr 1/2 later. Top up with coolant (it was at min), top up to max. Drives fine, needle stays the safe side of hot

Monday 6am: wont start, wont turn over. try bump, nothing
decide to park up, when i do, it trys to turn over, nearly very nearly starts. mate hit the starter motor to see would that help....back to nothingness

on one occasion the CODE light stayed on for nearly 30 seconds

anyone, anyone please please please. 2 mechanics dont know what problem is, two mates have seen it, roadside assistance.
i still hold onto my belief its the immobiliser (i dont have original keys)
but the running hot before it happens is also a common denom.


anyone?

ps when i say "nothing" as in no turn over etc i mean this
(it doesnt blink anymore though or make ticking noise, batt and fuel tank symbol stay solid)

 

[punto16v]

just try that relay under that black cover and see if it happens again as i think they give a small bit of grief it will be the big white relay after you remove the cover just a thought

 

[derekos82]

what do you mean by "try"?