Technical Problem with the mrs's Punto

[wcavanagh]

The Mrs has a P Reg Punto 55, it has done about 80k. Last 2 weeks it has been getting harder and harder to start. It would turn over, but not fire if you know what i mean. Thius morning it took 15mins to get it going. Once it has been started then its fine to start again. Dont know if this is related, but a month a go i adjusted her accelator cable to hold the revs a bit higher as it was stalling when stopping at lights etc, but that was solved with the adjustment. Any ideas?



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Regards,
Will

 

[custard]

adjusting the accelerator is just masking a problem,with fuel injection this doesn't help it just lowers MPG.start with the basics spark plugs ,HT leads ,rotor arm ,distributer cap (if it has one,dont know the punto:I) to be honest it sounds like a sensor fault and on this i bow down to the experts maybe Fixit will be on soon.does/did it only stall when cold or at all times?


The Fiat Cinquecento
Fun While It Runs

 

[JonnyBoy]

Ignition coils could be causing it (Punto's don't actually have a distributor therefore no dizzy cap or rotor arm!), or even just a loose/dirty/damp electrical connection somewhere in the ignition/injection system. I'd spray the HT leads with WD40 to see if this helps, then change the spark plugs and HT leads first as these are cheap service parts.

------/F/I/A/T/------

Fart In A Tin
<font color="orange">1994 Punto 55SX, metallic red, small, Italian and beautiful! </font id="orange">

 

[Lampredi]

My money would be on a petrol issue - if it was electrical, you would think it would be there all the time. Air leak into inlet manifold, or blocked / dirty fuel injector(s)? Does the engine feel hesitant or 'flat' (gutless!)? Or could be low fuel pressure - defective fuel pump or dirty fuel filter? - although the fuel filter one usually manifests itself after the engines been running for while. Might be worthwhile changing the fuel filter and trying some of that 'Fuel Injection System cleaner' that you pour into the petrol - meant to clean the injectors etc. Can't do any harm to do that on an 80k engine anyway? Anybody used that stuff before?

Otherwise, a decent Engine Diagnostic Centre with 'Crypton Tune' or similar should be able to sus the problem.

Here come da judge...

 

[pritch]

Most likely to be the ignition coils, especially after 80k. After that the fueling system or leads.

Spirito di Punto | M-reg 55SX, black, 5dr. Clear repeaters. I'm fitting remote locking this week!!

 

[Peetie]

Also could be coolant temprature sensor or faulty throttle position sensor and or idle stepper motor...adjusting the cable will only make things worse so get that set back to proper adjustment first and work back from there.....

 

[shag]

My money is on it being the coil. I had a very similar problem. Eventually the car wouldn't start at all. There are 2 coils so buy one (£30 from Halfords) and fit it (easy 20min job). If no good swap it with the 2nd coil. I guess you may need 2 coils to be on the safe side but when I fixed mine only one was necessary. Good luck. Vruuuuummmmmmmm. PS let us know the outcome.

 

[Lampredi]

OK - if it's the Coils, I'll donate £20 to Fiatcentral.com. If it's petrol, you do the same? ;->

If it's neither, were both away scott free!

wcavanagh - we need to know the answer when you get it fixed!

Here come da judge...

 

[wcavanagh]

Right, this weekend I will have a look and come back to you with the answer. BTW i looked at the 2 colied, looks like one is newer than the other, so maybe the older one is dieing? Who knows

Will



-------
Regards,
Will

 

[wcavanagh]

Also if this helps, IF it is started holding the clutch down it always seems to start, only when you try to start it without the clutch down it dont want to know.....



-------
Regards,
Will

 

[pritch]

Yeah I remember reading about that somewhere once and low and behold I tried it one day when mine wouldn't start and it worked! Now I have no problems starting these days so and I haven't got a clue as to what difference that would make anyway ..[?]

Spirito di Punto | M-reg 55SX, black, 5dr. Clear repeaters. Remote locking fitted, no light confirmation yet though - need relay fitted

 

[John H]

Holding the clutch down reduces the drag on the engine when cranking - not needing to turn all the cogs around in the cold (thicker) oil:
cranking speed slightly higher as a consequence.

 

[craig 980]

try a new set of spark plugs before you jump in at the deep end
when was it last serviced?