Technical Sometimes my 2001 Punto 1.2 8V ELX will not start

[AndyBT]

Hi,
I have a very intermittent problem where my Punto just will not start.
The Engine turns fine but it just will not start. Then I'll go back an hour or 2 later and it starts first time. It only ever happens when the engine is cold and only occurs say once in every 30 times or so.

I've recently replaced the spark plugs and battery an during the last service my local garage found nothing wrong with it so I'm stumped.

I've had it from new and looked after it well but the problem only started about a year ago.

Is it worth taking to a Fiat dealer to checkout the ECU?

Does anybody have any ideas what could be causing it?

:bang:

 

[dave]

when its turning an not starting is the code light off?

 

[nigel207]

My son has a 1.2 60 which occasionally does the same thing, but only when it's cold and the weather is cool. All the lights operate normally, i.e. go out after a short while. Fuel pump runs as it should.

Help appreciated.

 

[nigel207]

Anyone? Please? He's been stranded this morning because the thing wouldn't start. It always starts when it's bump started (not recommended I know, but.............). Once started it's fine. :bang:

 

[Mdeko]

dud battery? when was it last changed?

 

[a1ant]

Hi mate,

Because its starting fine when bump started, i would agree with Mdeko and say that i would check the condition of the battery or for a lazy starter.

Failing that, you could also check the condition of the plugs and leads, check that the air and fuel filter are in good condition, check the condition of your charcoal canister.

Timing is also a possibility, but this would normally affect starting when warm too.

Alan

 

[nigel207]

To continue the saga!

After failing to start a week or so ago, and after he'd flattened the battery he went and had his leg lifted by a garage to supply a new one! :bang:

The car still wouldn't start. Eventually, and once again he bump started it and all was fine. The car has been at my parents' house for the past week or so, and has started every time until yesterday, when once again it just turned over and over without trying to fire. Apparently, my father put the car in gear and just moved it a few inches. Low and behold the damned thing started on the key at the first turn!

Why????? :worship:

 

[lozzies mum]

Hi i am having the same problem with my punto it starts and runs for a few days or even weeks if im lucky lol then go to start it and it just turns over and no spark. up to now have had a new crank shaft sensor , temp switch ,battery and new coils. on friday drove home from work called at the supermarket came out low and behold wouldnt start waited about 20 mins and it fired up and got me home. all weekend husband tried to start it no joy it was booked in the garage anyway to have a new clutch on monday so called the rac out monday morning and he towed me to the garage. my machanic phoned me at 3.00 to say that he had pushed it into the garage and put the charge in the battery (we had flattened it trying to start)and it started first time for him so still dont know whats wrong if you find out anything please let me know lol its so fustrating

 

[Mdeko]

The car still wouldn't start. Eventually, and once again he bump started it and all was fine. The car has been at my parents' house for the past week or so, and has started every time until yesterday, when once again it just turned over and over without trying to fire. Apparently, my father put the car in gear and just moved it a few inches. Low and behold the damned thing started on the key at the first turn!

That sounds like the starter motor/flywheel not ingaing together properly and not turning the engine over. When this happens does the start motor turn really fast (faster than normal, you should be able to hear it)

 

[nigel207]

The engine turns over normally but just doesn't fire.

 

[5abr3]

Are all/any of the spark plugs working when it fails to start? Might be moisture in the contacts in there (sorry if it has been suggested before, I know they have been replaced recently)

 

[GingerNe0]

I had similar problem, although mine got gradually worse. Finally realised was the crankshaft sensor, these seem to go on Punto's. Is a cheap 5 min replacement if you haven't had any other success.

Tom

 

[GAZZA89]

i got exactly the same problem, and i am goin to buy a new starter. As i have had all the battery, alternator, electrics etc all checked it can only be the starter motor. Mine wants to start but it just has got enough power to start it. i measured voltage in the battery before trying to start it and that all ok. Is there a certain type of starter motor to fit a fiat punto mk2 1.2 2001 plate as i have been told there are apparantly 4 but i can pick up one from ebay, product code - 270310658151, will this one be ok.

 

[T14086]

software update.

 

[bmcream]

I think i have the complete answer to this forum thread... despite being female! I have owned every version of a Punto since they were first introduced. I still own two, one is a 'facelift' 52 plate Dynamic and the other, which is the love of my life - a white 1999 ELX Punto, which has never let me down! I also experienced the same start/fail to start/stall and lumpy running for a few miles in the first few years of its life (PS i have owned it from new). I realised that this was when i stopped using my Fiat Dealership for small problems and only for its yearly service. I eventually had to go to the dealership and confess that minor problems were being sorted out by my local generic garage and subsequently the car had never run smoothly or reliably since . Thank goodness i had kept a full record of the work and they noticed that the first time i had this problem, was following a standard battery change and some following work that required the battery to be disconnected... the answer was immediate. Apparently, this particular model/year/not sure which, has to go through a re-start procedure if the battery has been disconnected. This will reset the onboard computer management system and the car will run perfectly again. I cannot remember the exact sequence and it is not in the manual/handbook, but i will be posting the details after the 22/02/2011, when i contact my ex-Fiat Dealership mechanic to get the specifics. In general, if your battery has been changed or disconnected, there is a procedure you must follow to reset the computer in order that it runs as it did prior to the disconnection. It is very simple... years ago i watched it being done and it is something like putting the accelerator to the floor for a certain amount of seconds, releasing it and repeating it once more. This completes the procedure. It is not applicable to my 52 plate Dynamic, only my 1.2 ELX 1999 Punto. Please either contact me or just wait until the 22/23 of Feb 2011 for the exact routine. If you haven't disconnected the battery - ever - then this will not resolve your issues.

 

[Wade93]

If what bmcream is saying is true it would explain alot cos ive had this problem since fitting my sub and ive blamed it on needing a new battery since my sub is draining it, especially if i leave my head unit in (switched off) for even a few minutes while the engine is off..

 

[tsiou]

i have exactly the same problem as AndyBT and nigel207, i can't find out the problem. Car not starts, when it's cold, but after 10-20 minutes everything works fine.