Stalling engine - starts then stalls within seconds

[Kate Burbridge]

Hi All,

I have a W-reg 1.2 SX 80i which has been a great runner since I got it, 3 years ago. Had a couple of issues but all kind of standard wear and tear issues that have been easily resolved, except one issue with water coming from behind dash into passenger footwell but I won't bore you with the details of that, as it resolved itself (?!?!).

Today, however, the engine cut out after it had been idling for about 10 mins, which I thought was because it had run out of petrol, put a gallon in and no joy. This has happened before as it seems to needs just over a gallon if it's at the wrong angle (I live on a VERY steep hill) so I put another gallon in, by which time battery was flat, so jump started it but still no joy!! Called AA out who said take it to Fiat for diagnositic (not very helpful). What I have noticed throughout all of this is that, especially after the first gallon was put in the car it seems to start and then cut out instantly or within seconds. The AA man even said he had it running for about a minute whilst I had gone to retrieve the 'red key' from elsewhere, to rule out problem with the key I was using.

Also, have noticed that the red spray fuel injection light seems to be on longer than any others on the dash, e.g. orange code light, etc.

Does anyone have any ideas that I can try before taking it for a diagnostic, please?

Thanks in advance,

Kate

 

[RascaL]

not much help but my injector light is on longer too, i think its just the way they are?

 

[Anonymous]

Stalling engine - Injection light

It would seem you are right - the 2nd AA man that came out to me (this morning) seemed a bit more clued up and said that the red spray fuel injection light staying on is common in Fiats and so it was duly towed to a garage to perform a diagnostic on it, which didn't throw much light on the subject, except proving that it wasn't the transponder, but it would appear that it is a fuel pump problem (£115+ just for the part!!). Bad timing - same week as MOT due!!

 

[Tom]

Tried the fuel cutoff switch?

If it was the transponder the CODE light would stay on.

 

[Kate Burbridge]

Stalling engine, etc.

Will definitely look into fuel cut off switch as I'm not entirely convinced that it is fuel pump as fuel seems to be reaching the engine.

 

[Carroll]

Before spending money on a new fuel pump, it might be an idea to check/change the filter, (much cheaper and more likely to be the real problem)

 

[Carroll]

Before spending money on a new fuel pump, it might be an idea to check/change the filter, (much cheaper and more likely to be the real problem)