For the third time in 3 months I've been towed home by the AA today. My Uno is really starting to get to me.

The AA patrol reckoned is was a distributor problem. The car was driving fine until it cut out on a dual carriageway and died. It restarted but then it began to kangaroo.

It is sparking and ticking over but the engine dies as if someone has turned the key off. It also seems to only be a problem when it's warm as I had it around the block when it was cold and it only started to die back in my street.

Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.

e: [email protected]
w: www.irishfiat.net
<h6>
Click here for pictures of my Uno </h6>

There's every chance you have a Magnetti Marelli distributor if your UNO has the FIRE engine, and is of a certain age:
they are prone to cutting out when very hot.

See

https://www.fiatforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1746

Regards


John H

my 93 uno 999 was doing exactly the same thing. Got a distributor from the breakers ,stripped and cleaned it and the cars running like
a dream. Brand new unit from the dealer isn,t to expensive at about
£80 + vat. Dead easy to change them over.

Usually the thingh that makes problems are:the Hall sensor, the breakerless module and the vacuum unit...I replaced the last one this week by myself at a cost of 7.50€[8D]. The other pieces cost more I thinkB)!

The problem is the wiring between the hall sensor and transistor pack the insulation on this breaks down and causes a short usually when the engine is warm if you look closely at a stripped out unit you will probably be able to see the damaged insulation.

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Peetie
The problem is the wiring between the hall sensor and transistor pack the insulation on this breaks down and causes a short usually when the engine is warm if you look closely at a stripped out unit you will probably be able to see the damaged insulation.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">


I've never experienced this[:0][:0]

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Enzo
Usually the thing that makes problems are:the Hall sensor, the breakerless module and the vacuum unit...I replaced the last one this week by myself at a cost of 7.50€[8D]. The other pieces cost more I thinkB)!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

The vacuum unit is nearer 14UKP or 20€ in the UK [:0]

I'm not sure if the other pieces are available separately, or even if the whole distributor is available new anymore...

I forgot to tell you we had to replace both the module and the sensor five years ago or more...I still have the old ones next to my computer!About a new Marelli distributor: I took a look for my Renault 5 one, which had the vacuum unit failed and worn points...the Renault garage asked me 180€ for the cheapest...I think not a Marelli but a Ducellier or another less known brandB)[:0][!]!Then I succeded in buying the spare parts (40€ the v. unit and 16€ for the points) and now the car runs perfectly!

Now the question: why to replace the whole distributor??

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Enzo


Now the question: why to replace the whole distributor??
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I didn't want to, but I couldn't get the individual parts

The distributor I got for mine was from and old Y10, and cost me 20 UKP including postage.
It was complete (but a little dirty), and the vacuum advance was OK too[8D]

Further to this:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Enzo



Now the question: why to replace the whole distributor??

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



.....Because they won't sell me the parts.

I think I can understand it from FIATs point of view, having had one to bits today:
nice shiney new part on the car for the customer to see, and quick to change.
Maximum revenue for least effort.

But if you replace an internal part, there's nothing to see, it takes a while to do it at 60 UKP per hour, and there's maybe reliability issues if it's not fitted properly:
There is a clearance issue with the pick up and the lobes, if you overtighten the screws that hold the pick up you'll probably break the magnet it locates too, have it too loose and there will be bits rattling around loose inside there.
Then there are no end of shims and spring washers to get in the right place and right order, preferably clean too, and you'll probably break the vacuum advance unit taking it off...

'nuff said.


Regards

John H