Technical Problems with used 56 Punto diesel I just bought - HELP SOUGHT!

[GrimFan]

Hi all, new to the forum, just looking for some advice...

Just bought a used 2006 Diesel Punto from a dealership and was fine on the first day.

Day 2, I realized two issues...

1. The car will not start first time (sometimes does but very rarely). I've left the key in for over a minute and waited for the dashboard lights to go off before starting it and it still doesn't start first time. If I keep it turining over for around 15+ seconds it usually starts but I don't like doing this as it could deplete the battery? When it does eventually start, a huge amount of white smoke comes out of the exhaust (I've been told this is "normal" for diesels but thought it might be useful info).

2. The climate control (including all heaters, A/C, vents) does not work at all. The only joy I've had is with the font screen de-mister which does eventually de-mist, but it's silent/not-powerful and there's no temperature change. I've tried every setting on climate control, auto, manual, full blast, hot, cold and there's no change to the temperature or the vents. Nothing at all comes out of the vents.

Anybody got any ideas on what may be wrong? If so is it serious and should I take it back to the dealer? It's in a warranty period but only for major issues and I don't think these will qualify.

Don't have much experience in cars and never had a diesel before so any help is greatly appreaciated.

Thanks in advance...

 

[jameshobiecat]

Issue 1 is probably a weak battery. If the car has been sat around on a forecourt for a while it might just need a good charge (either with a charger or a long drive). If that doesn't do it a new battery will more than likely sort it. The white smoke is just unburnt fuel where the engine is failing to catch.

The second issue is probably the wiring to the interior fan. Its a well know weakness on the Grande, have a search as there are hundreds of threads about it.

 

[GrimFan]

Thanks for this James,

I'll look into both of these and post back with updates for others...

 

[Rackham115]

There are a number of issues with the starting on a GP 1.9. The first and cheapest solution is battery. Next steps if that doesn't solve it could be: starter motor or crank shaft sensor (big job, had this on mine). Does it smoke any other time at all? mine still struggles to start on the odd occasion after a new battery and crank shaft sensor but think i may have a leaky injector too as it is running rough as a$$holes atm at puts out a small bit of smoke at regular intervals.

 

[GrimFan]

There are a number of issues with the starting on a GP 1.9. The first and cheapest solution is battery. Next steps if that doesn't solve it could be: starter motor or crank shaft sensor (big job, had this on mine). Does it smoke any other time at all? mine still struggles to start on the odd occasion after a new battery and crank shaft sensor but think i may have a leaky injector too as it is running rough as a$$holes atm at puts out a small bit of smoke at regular intervals.

Ah right. I'll give the battery a full charge and hopefully this will sort it. Mind if I ask how much the crank shaft sensor work was?

No smoke at all other than at startup.

Ta

 

[CromaFan]

You've bought the car from a dealer. You should really contact them straight away and get them to sort it out.

 

[Rackham115]

Ah right. I'll give the battery a full charge and hopefully this will sort it. Mind if I ask how much the crank shaft sensor work was?

No smoke at all other than at startup.

Ta

Crank shaft sensor was £800 odd iirc. Cambelt and everything has to come off so had that and the water pump done at the same time.

 

[jameshobiecat]

Crank shaft sensor was £800 odd iirc. Cambelt and everything has to come off so had that and the water pump done at the same time.

Don't panic, its just the battery.

 

[Rackham115]

Don't panic, its just the battery.

For his sake I hope so. Wouldnt want anyone else to have my luck lol.

 

[shaun6017]

Don't panic, its just the battery.

Ah right. I'll give the battery a full charge and hopefully this will sort it. Mind if I ask how much the crank shaft sensor work was?

No smoke at all other than at startup.

Ta[/QUOTE



I have this problem its not goin to b the battery. My problem started when I changed the glow plugs. They were slightly shorterr glow. Im goin fiat to get a full set this time to sort it.

Im not claiming yours has the same issues but keep it in mind pal

 

[GrimFan]

Thanks for all the help guys. Here's an update...

Looked at some guides and info online about the climate control and quickly found that the problem was due to one of the wires being a bit burnt out and slipping from the connector (as suggested by James). Temporarily fixed by wiggling but expect it to be rather cheap fix permanently so that's sorted.

The starting issue has been getting better. Starts first time about 50% of the time now (maybe this is a sign that it was a low battery problem - hoping so!). Still hasn't gone away though, interestingly when it does start first time there is no smoke, but when it starts on second time there's loads. Someone said it could be unburnt fuel?

I'm planning on speaking to the dealer about this but reckon it might be an idea to get some impartial advice first.

 

[Cadabena]

...interestingly when it does start first time there is no smoke, but when it starts on second time there's loads. Someone said it could be unburnt fuel?

Correct. The smoke from second time round is from the unburnt fuel of the failed first attempt at starting

By the way, I find with my 1.3 it starts nicest if I wait about half a second after the glow plug light goes out. Or, to be extra sure, let the glow plugs warm up twice (uses a lot less power to warm them a little longer than to have a failed start).

 

[jameshobiecat]

Someone said it could be unburnt fuel?

Yep, had exactly this symptom when the battery on my previous (diesel) car was on the way out. For every revolution the engine does without firing two doses of un-burnt fuel will get thrown out of the exhaust.

 

[brooks1985]

My GP 1.3D MJ had the same starting problem, I took it back to the dealer and they sorted it, starts first 100% of the time now, they replaced the battery free of charge for me as it was still under warranty.

 

[GrimFan]

I'll probably take it back to the dealer then seeing as it's still under warranty and see if they can sort it.

I'll let everyone know how I get on.

Cheers

 

[vas19]

Check your air filter as well (passenger side footwell) sometimes if it's really old and clogged the vents don't work well at all. Happened with mine and I just removed the filter and they're a lot stronger now, dunno if that's any help!

 

[Juppy93]

Crank shaft sensor was £800 odd iirc. Cambelt and everything has to come off so had that and the water pump done at the same time.

I bought a crankshaft sensor from Fiat for £35 and I was just able to pull the old one out and stick the new one in

 

[keat63]

By law, if you bought the vehicle from any dealer what so ever, whether it be a back street trader, a dealership, or even someone buying and selling from home (although you'd have to prove that he was trading), then you have a minimum of 30 days warranty.
As time is running out, you really ought to be taking it back.

 

[Rackham115]

I bought a crankshaft sensor from Fiat for £35 and I was just able to pull the old one out and stick the new one in

That was main dealer price. Managed to go to a local garage and get the work done. Cam belt and water pump were coming up for renewal anyway so got that done and just before it was booked in for the work the slave cylinder in the clutch went too :bang:.