Punto (Mk2/2b) Starting Problems

[DanMS]

Hello,

First off, I’ve found this forum really useful; it’s helped me to get to the bottom of a few issues so cheers!

Hoping someone can assist with the current issue I’m having with my 2004 Mk2 1.2 Fiat Punto. I have been having problems getting it started. The thing is it’s really intermittent, it could start first time or it could take 20 times or not start at all. Apologies if the descriptions aren’t that clear, I’m a complete novice (got myself the Haynes manual) but have a long way to go haha. The battery is only a year old, I’ve checked the voltage which is 12.5 so don’t think there are any problems with the battery or alternator. It’s intermittent but there are a few constants though.

• The problem’s worse the longer it’s left and seems to be worse in cold / wet weather.
• If it doesn’t start, jump starting from another car works 100% of the time; this is almost instant as soon as the other car is started.
• Once started, it runs absolutely fine. If I’ve got it started and drive a reasonable distance, starting it up after stopping somewhere is not a problem (generally starts first time)
• If I turn the key in the ignition without turning the car over, there is occasionally a noise which sounds like it’s coming from behind me, like something mechanical engaging up followed by a faint clunk. If I wait until this noise has stopped, the car generally starts straight away, but I don’t always notice this noise.

I took it to the local garage that hooked it up and identified an immobiliser issue. Just to note, when I turn the key without turning it over the immobiliser warning sign is displayed and remains there. I’m just confused why it ‘s worse after it’s been left for long periods, works worse in wet/cold conditions and is started every time by jump starting.

Any ideas would be much appreciated, thanks in advance!

Dan

 

[judderbar]

A jump start will give you a higher voltage than you can get from your battery alone. Sounds like you have an intermittant poor connection somewhere that drops the voltage sufficiently to create problems which can be cured by the higher voltage from the jump start.

The sound coming from behind you is the petrol pump under the back seat.

 

[DanMS]

Thanks for the quick response Judderbar

 

[Brendan W]

Where on the car do you attach the jump leads ?

 

[DanMS]

Hi Brendan, thanks for the response. I connect the positive to the battery terminal and the negative to metal away from the engine. It starts pretty much straight away after the booster car is started. I initially thought the problem was the battery not having enough charge to start the engine but I tested the battery about 10hrs after using the car and it was 12.5.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Next time it fails to start connect the black jump lead between the battery earth terminal and the piece of metal else where on the engine that you've been using, it maybe that you have a broken/failing battery-engine earth causing this and the other problems

See this thread here https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/416938-car-wont-start.html

 

[Brendan W]

Hi Brendan, thanks for the response. I connect the positive to the battery terminal and the negative to metal away from the engine. It starts pretty much straight away after the booster car is started. I initially thought the problem was the battery not having enough charge to start the engine but I tested the battery about 10hrs after using the car and it was 12.5.

Andy and I have the same basic idea that the problem is the connection from the engine/gearbox to the battery -ve post If this is the case then a jump to the batt +ve and the engine itself will by pass the suspect wire and show it up.
However it sounds like you jumped to the batt +ve and the shell of the car which does not bypass the earth strap between the gearbox and the battery -ve. Is this what you did ?
If so then I would suggest that the battery positive terminal could be loose or dirty because the jump lead does not actually connect to the battery post but to the terminal on the positive lead which would bypass a loose or dirty terminal.
If any of this is making any sense check out the state of the connection to the battery +ve post and si the post the right type. Some folks have ended up with tapered posts and straight terminals.

 

[Popecity]

I have to he same problem in mine if it's cold out then my battery starts playing up and not working properly, a couple of my mates have puntos as well and the same happens to them!, I thought maybe the battery needed changing but it's only just under 12 months old! I heard somewhere that it's a constant problem with puntos any ideas anyone?

 

[DanMS]

Thanks for all the help, much appreciated. I'll give that a try.