Fiat Punto starting problem?

Question

03 plate 1.2 Fiat Punto Active (60hp) isn't cold starting very well, and wanted opinions.  When cold, the engine is VERY slow turning over, and the dash lights fade, and sometimes it will even reset the clock, like it's REALLY struggling to turn, then it will suddenly spin up fine and start.

The battery is new and fully charged, the battery leads seem to be ok (have tested resistance), the cam belt and alternator belts aren't too tight (that's the sort of way it acts though), the oil is the right grade and right amount, etc...

Is it likely to be a worn starter that's shorting or something (they're expensive so I don't want to do trial and error really), or perhaps the leads are higher resistance once the current starts flowing, or do think there might be other reasons?

As said, the battery is new and definitely fully charged (and the right size!), it's just as if it weren't powerful enough like something is sapping it's power before it can spin the starter up properly.

Southpaw · Accepted Answer

Well, the battery powers the starter motor via a cable and earth return, as you have checked all of those then the only thing left in the circuit is the motor. Might be worth having a look at the state of the brushes (for wear and sticking) and commutator rings (for dirt) I suppose.
 As you are having this difficulty only when cold I assume it has been standing for a while, in which case something could be draining the battery slowly. You can check for current flow with your meter, or whip the battery leads off after its next run to prevent drain and see if the problem goes away. If it does go away you will have to look for the cause of the leakage. The only time this happened to me it was the alternator diode pack being shorted out with carbon dust off the brushes, and if I had left the heated rear window switched on the battery would go flat in the time it took me to drink 2 pints.
  Best of luck with it anyway,  Bob.

hernandezjr · Answer

Fiat Panda Starting Problems

Anonymous · Answer

May well be the battery. If it is three years old or more it will be on it's way out. The cold weather depletes batteries. Old ones cannot retain a full charge. Try and get the alternator output checked first in case that is faulty. Many garages offer this test for free.

Lustof · Answer

Play around with the starter relay, and check the fuel filter for an defects, all the best

Roosh · Answer

I do remember I had a similar problem when I had a Fix It Again Tomorrow car.  Could be the starter

Anonymous · Answer

we should check some options like fuse box,battery terminal,spark plug,ecu,fuel

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Fiat Punto starting problem?

6 Answers