Technical Tipo 1.4ie start problem

[tipo4me]

Car driving fine this evening, stopping starting again, then I go to it again after about 20mins and it won't start. Battery healthy, turning over ok but no attempt to fire, a bit like fuel starvation. Yes there is plenty of fuel. One thing I did notice is that while ignition turned off, when I put foot on brake the battery and oil light come on, and they also flicked on when I locked the driver door.

Not really sure what to do I just checked around engine, couldn't see anything lose. Checked oil and that was on minimum. The only thing I had done differently with the car at the last stopping was park it facing upwards on a slight incline.

As I say not too knowledgeable without a manual and can't afford to pay someone to sort it so any help greatly appreciated or I'll have to leave it unlocked with a sign saying help yourself then at least I might not get copped for parking ticket tomorrow.

Thanks in hope

 

[Hellcat]

Have the plugs and leads been checked recently? Might be damp getting in.

 

[tipo4me]

Yeah did that a few weeks ago when first got it. I'd already been driving it around for a couple of hours this evening stopping and starting so I can't see how damp could be problem. But as I say not too knowledgable

 

[Hellcat]

Dunno if you could listen for if the fuel pump is operating when you turn the key?

 

[sumplug]

when you turn the ignition on,can you hear the fuel pump whirr ? has the car got an alarm fitted? take fuel feed pipe off and crank the ignition.it should pump out.if so,not fuel.another way is to put a thumble full down the venturi.if it tries to start,fuel starvation.check for a spark.take connector of the mass meter.try and start it.if so,knackered sensor.check Top Dead Centre sensor on the crank.this can have a dirty connector,broken wire or faulty sensor.check dizzy cap.check earth to coil,battery and wires to and from starter and alternator.pull plugs out and give a clean.and most of all,dont run your engine on the minimum oil level.you will wreck it.

 

[tipo4me]

Don't know about hearing fuel pump, will have to get someone to turn ignition while I listen.

No alarm fitted.

How to put thimble full down Venturi?

What is mass meter?

Many thanks for prompt replies and sorry for more questions but no real idea what I'm doing but got to learn fast, as hit on hard times. hope I can sort this though cos really like the car.

 

[Trancendental]

Could be faulty/loose Earthing by the battery, I had this accidentally disconnected at Fiat and the car would not start, tried to but just wouldn't. Enough Fuel and was workin fine, only had it stopped for 5 mins while it wer inspected and disconnected the lead while tryin to diagnose me faulty reverse light. reconnected the lead and away we went.

I don't know which one, just one near the battery/battery tray and no its not that big Black Negative cable on the battery.

 

[tipo4me]

Ta for extra idea. Car on opposite side of town, will try all comments later today and report back.

 

[tipo4me]

Well,went back to the car armed with all your comments. Turned ignition on to see if I could hear pump, couldn't hear a thing. Wondered if battery was still healthy so tried to turn it over and it fired up first time! Drove it back home with no probs. What a relief. Thanks all for your input, I guess we can probably just put this down to a bit of damp?

 

[spunky]

nah, you can just put it down to being a stroppy italian car

 

[sumplug]

Well,went back to the car armed with all your comments. Turned ignition on to see if I could hear pump, couldn't hear a thing. Wondered if battery was still healthy so tried to turn it over and it fired up first time! Drove it back home with no probs. What a relief. Thanks all for your input, I guess we can probably just put this down to a bit of damp?

when the car was hot and wouldn't start,did you put the accelerator to the floor ?

 

[tipo4me]

No I never put accelerator to floor when starting.

Totally miffed off with it now cos when I went to start it this evening again it would turn over but not start just as b4.

 

[sumplug]

No I never put accelerator to floor when starting.

Totally miffed off with it now cos when I went to start it this evening again it would turn over but not start just as b4.

obviously,you got heat soak problems causing a sensor or relay to fail.when cold,the car runs.when hot,refuses to run.i think you have a relay that is overheating.when hot again.check the relays and wires under the bonnet and at the fuse box.

 

[tipo4me]

Just been out to car now turned it over and it fired, stopped and won't fire again. Been scouring web for ideas also and seem to keep coming up with people mentioning Crankshaft sensor faulty. What do you think? Are they cheap, easy to change. Responses are appreciated.

 

[Trancendental]

What helps sometimes is if you hit the starter motor pretty hard with a spanner, then try and start it again.

 

[tipo4me]

I've just tried hitting it and apart from catching my knuckle it's had no effect unfortunately.

 

[sumplug]

Just been out to car now turned it over and it fired, stopped and won't fire again. Been scouring web for ideas also and seem to keep coming up with people mentioning Crankshaft sensor faulty. What do you think? Are they cheap, easy to change. Responses are appreciated.

if this is happening like this and car still reasonably coldish,then suspect fuel pump and fuel tank.there could be crud blocking the pump or tank pick up.also it could be the crank sensor. easy enough to remove and clean.there are vacuum pies running to the throttle body.check these for splits.when you turn the ignition on,the stepper motor should move[on throttle body,accelerator connected to it] and prime it self ready.if not,there is your problem.there is an air temp sensor on the throttle body.pull the plug off it a few times to clean it.near to the t/body is the temp potensiometer sensor[TPS for short].if this is failing,this will give you these symptons.each time there is a fault like this,there is a fault code logged.it might be worth getting a mobile auto electrician to read the codes.this might save you time and money in the long term.hope this helps

 

[tipo4me]

If it is crud, how easy (and how to) clear it out?

Just checking round for an auto electrician now.

 

[sumplug]

If it is crud, how easy (and how to) clear it out?

Just checking round for an auto electrician now.

you will need to take the fuel tank sender unit out of the tank.its located under the rear seat.the pump is either in the tank or sitting nexted to the tank.there should be a fuel filter as well.this needs changing as well.personally,get an auto electician in first.then you can eliminate this side.

 

[tipo4me]

Tried to view stepper motor, but can't see anything that would move. When ignition switched on I hear and feel a click from a small flat black component at back of throttle body.

Unfortunately no mobile auto electricians in area but been quoted £50 for a garage that can do diagnostics to tow car in then £40 for diagnostic. Car was only £200 so I'm tempted if it fires again to just drive it straight to scrap and get £25.