Re: Fiat Punto cold start problem

wotnotagain wrote:
> I had a similar problem with my 2000 (51 plate) Punto where the car
would
> not start on random ocassions. I traced the route problem down to the
> flywheel motion detector had failed. 
> This means the car turns over but the motion detector does not detect
the
> engine turning over so it does not send a pulse to the coil and engine
> management systems so they do not pump fuel or provide a spark at the
> plugs. areplacement cost around £30 and is only 2 screws to replace.
There
> are 2 of these motion detectors, on on the flywheel at the bottom of the
> engine and the other at the top of the engine.
> 
> The other problem could be the coils, there are 2 on the Punto however
it
> is unlikely that both would fail at the same time. You would normally
get
> 2 cylinders firing, so my gues the the motion detectors. They could be
> disconnected electrically or either one could have failed.
> 
> The lower one is easy to locate as it is near the bottom of the toothed
> fly wheel and has a cable (4 mm diameter) coming out from it and leading
> up to the wiring at the top of the fan belt / engine.
> 
> Try starting the engine while an adult assitant with some mechanical
> knowledge taps the the engine close to the sensor with a hammer. Make
sure
> the hammer / fingers etc are well away from moving parts. If the engine
> starts then the problem is a failed detector module. Likewise the top
> motion detector is almost identical to look at, try tapping it while
> trying to start the car. If it starts then the top one needs replaced.
It
> is most unlikely that both will fail together.
> 
> Good Luck, wotnotagain 
> 


Many thanks for that - I will check those sensors.