Fiat Punto starting problem

chalky_bertie

Just had to push the wifes Fiat Punto to get it going after having a romantic meal in the car from Domino's! This has been intermittant for the past couple of weeks. All the normal lights come on when about to start but when the key is turned is just turns over a couple of times but very slowly and limply. Do you think it could be the starter motor? and can you fix one yourself or is it a garage job?

Thanks

chas1937

I,d get battery checked out first as it may be just that or alternator not charging correctly

skiddy2k

to find out a rough idea if its the starter motor or not, the next time that you have the problem, get a hammer or wooden stick and give the starter motor a 'wack.....obviously, dont get too carried away!

if the car starts after a few wacks, then it sounds like the starter motor. also, make sure that the connections are secure from the wires connecting to the starter motor.

to find out the condition of your battery, take it to your local halfords store and they'll be able to check the condition of the battery for you, but cant check the alternator.

hope this helps you out,
Skiddy

Bob_Terveuren

skiddy2k wrote:

to find out a rough idea if its the starter motor or not, the next time that you have the problem, get a hammer or wooden stick and give the starter motor a 'wack.....obviously, dont get too carried away!

You can try this whilst t'missus is holding the key in the position that turns the starter normally - make sure it's out of gear and that your life insurance is not worth running you over for :cool:

A tap with a long steel rod or something may be enough to get the strarter turning (and you may get a lovely, big spark too) :eek:

If this does happen then the solenoid is sticking and you'll need to get another - most modern cars have the solenoid as part of the starter assembly so you'll need the complete unit. prices can be a bit steep - checkout ebay?

Once 'smacked' with the hammer/rod and working it will be only a matter of time until it sticks again and, usually, it will get progressively worse.

Changin the starter motor is usually fairly easy as a DIY - just disconnect the battery first!

lotterywish

she did know FIAT stands for Fix It Again Tomorrow, didn't she ??

sorry, not helpful i know, but couldn't resist!!

do however agree with skiddy and bob - whacking with hammer works a treat

summerday

Funny you've just posted this- I have a fiat punto too, and twice this week it has been awkward to start in the mornings. It's never happened before. If it keeps happening I will take the easy way out and get the garage to look at it as I'm useless with cars!

indiegirl_2

My sis has an 03 plate Punto (and my OH owned one for a year or so), and I've learned a very harsh lesson with them - never, ever again. (between the two, we don't think anything else could possibly go wrong with them)

That aside, Sis had the same problem as you - (you don't say what year it is) - but my first thoughts are battery too - we got hers checked and although it was over 85% charged, it wasn't enough first thing in the morning. Tried a recharge, but that didn't help. She does quite a few short journeys (as you would expect in a city car), and that, plus cold weather = drained battery and stroppy starting.

One swapped battery later, it's starting quite happily. I hope it's just that with yours.

chalky_bertie

lotterywish wrote:

she did know FIAT stands for Fix It Again Tomorrow, didn't she ??

sorry, not helpful i know, but couldn't resist!!

do however agree with skiddy and bob - whacking with hammer works a treat

This is the first major problem we have had with the car - it is 7 years old. Been to Halfords and battery seems OK so we are going to plod along with it and see what happens. I was given a quote for a starter motor at £200 fitted!

meerustar

I've got a Punto and have had this problem a couple of times and it has been a lose wire. Most of the time to start the car I've had to rock it while turning the key (think Wayne's World, Bohemian Rhapsody, lol) and then it's started.

On the odd occasion that it has conked out on me completely, I have phoned the RAC and they have come and cleaned oil or whatever off the wire, put it back and it has been fine. Every 6 months or so I have the same problem and now do the wore myslef.

I am not a mechanic and don't know what the wire is for or even what it's called, but if you have RAC, AA or something (or a freind who has, remember, your the member not the car) then call them out and if it is the wire they will tell you it is a common problem with puntos and show you how to fix it yourself.

Sorry i can't be any more specific with the terms but an engine just looks like a maze to me ... can't you tell it was designed by a man?? If us women designed it, we have it neatly packaged so you knew what everything was called and where it went, lol.

Hope that helps a bit