Hi I have a 58 grande eleganza 1.4 petrol semi auto, in the last few days I went to start my car, turned the key and it wouldn't roll over? Did this about 4 times, left it a few minutes then it went. Any idea what this may be? Battery or ignition problems? Or does it just not like the cold lol. Any advice would be grateful... I have only bought it 2 weeks ago.
Grande Punto Starter
- Thread starter Simlrs
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Grande Punto Starter
Welcome 
A bit more info would help. When you try to start and it doesn't fire:
A bit more info would help. When you try to start and it doesn't fire:
- Does the CODE (padlock) symbol stay on the dash?
- Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to 1st position?
- Do you hear the starter turning?
- Are there any unusual lights on the dash?
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Check the cables carefully from the battery to the car. Usually they corrode at one end causing a poor connection.
Next time you have the problem try connecting a jump lead from the battery earth to the car body and/or the engine and see if that solves the problem. I'm sure i don't need to say take care when you do this but do be careful.
Next time you have the problem try connecting a jump lead from the battery earth to the car body and/or the engine and see if that solves the problem. I'm sure i don't need to say take care when you do this but do be careful.
Not sure about the code padlock, The fuel pump does prime when I turn it in the first position.. I turn the key into the second position for it to start.. it kinds grunts for a split second and stops completely.. wouldn't not whine, turn over or anything. But leave it a few minutes and it catches and starts slowly. Not sure about unusual lights on the dash, I never noticed sorry... Thanks for replying.Welcome
A bit more info would help. When you try to start and it doesn't fire:
- Does the CODE (padlock) symbol stay on the dash?
- Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the key to 1st position?
- Do you hear the starter turning?
- Are there any unusual lights on the dash?
Errr I wouldn't know how to even attempt that lol. it's under warranty.. so maybe off to the garage tomorrow. It's only in the morning that it's happened twice. Thanks for replying.
If you've got a warranty then great, but I'd be concerned that it might not cover whatever this is - warranties on 2nd hand cars are notoriously for only covering the bare minimum, and only in the case of catastrophic failure.
Based on what you've said either the starter motor is on it's way out, or there is a wiring issue.
Based on what you've said either the starter motor is on it's way out, or there is a wiring issue.
Thanks.. hope its a wire issue and not the starter on it's way out!I shall get someone to have a look at it, thanks.
Tbh a broken starter would be an easier fix than trying to nail down electrical gremlins!
Your issues seem to stem from a suspect charging circuit..or failing battery.
Did you get the battery charged...or replaced??
Or just coupled to the mechanics booster??
The CODE system. Has a chip in each key.. read by an aeriel in the ignition lock..and the codes are recognised by the body computer.
1. Get electrics in order.. (borrow a good battery)
2. Check if ;
A. Immob light..key symbol is ok
B.Engine cranks over properly.
If necessary...3...
Get an autolocksmith to build a 'New' coded key into your vehicles body computer.
Keep us informed.. so we can help further.
Damaged: lost keys are probably covered by some insurances you have
Charlie
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Is the warranty still in place..
Could save some outlay..apart from you supplying a better battery.
In my experience anything youve just bought has a fair chance of needing a battery.. due to the time the car will have sat..
Once batteries are LOW on volts..they break down internally.. vicious circle
Hi Its a new battery I purchased after I had the starter problem before.. I'm guessing there is an underlying problem somewhere else. May just have to take it to a fiat garage to run full diagnostics and see whats going on.
Hi just updating you on my car, I finally sent it to a fiat garage. The new battery that I bought was manufactured wrong.. the terminals were opsite way round. This burnt out my alternator. New battery on and all works well. They decided I needed a new spring and new tyre.. £735 poorer now lol. Noticed my radio didn't work the next day after picking it up. Possibly a fuse?
Bernievarian
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Very very strange, battery terminals have two different Ø, exactly to avoid this kind of wrong wiring, one would really insist on the plugs to fit-on reverse way !!
I don't believe either the alternator could go bad if a battery was reverse connected : the charging diodes would simply block the current flow and the reverse voltage would be way below their voltage breakdown. Possibly one diode was already bad (short), that might explain also the battery weakness ...
BRs, Bernie
If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)
I don't believe either the alternator could go bad if a battery was reverse connected : the charging diodes would simply block the current flow and the reverse voltage would be way below their voltage breakdown. Possibly one diode was already bad (short), that might explain also the battery weakness ...
BRs, Bernie
If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)
Sounds interesting but no clue as to what you just said lol. Guess I got taken for a mug with having to pay over £700. Gonna get a different garage to have a look at my radio when I have sufficient funds again. Thanks for replying
