[Guest]

I went to the shops (yesterday) in my Mito and all was OK. When I tried to start the car again, clunk like a dead battery, every possible warning, ABS, EBD, steering, airbags, fuel cut-off, etc.
I charged the battery overnight and checked - its full. But still the same as above. It won't start and all the warnings are displayed.
Any ideas? (It is still under warranty, but today is a holiday in South Africa).:rant:

 

[zeffsofresh]

Alternator, or the cambelt? It's the same engine in the Fiat bravo sport, and when my cambelt went my symptoms were the same (although those symptoms could indicate a lot of things). Just in case, don't try to turn the engine over too much or you could knock the valves. Fiat SA did cover it under the warranty, even though I only had 400km to spare. Keep us posted, my wife drives the same car, and I'd like to know what to look out for!

 

[Guest]

Definately sounds like a battery issue.

Careful if jumpstarting as it can cause loads of
errors that will need to be reset. (And can possibly fry the ECU in some
instances reported on here.)

 

[Guest]

@Zef, at 48000kms? I would expect the cambelt to last longer than that - although it is covered. Did your Fiat suffer any valve damage?

@Nev, I hope it is the battery... It would get me mobile quicker (although the battery warranty has expired).

 

[Guest]

Check the battery and engine bay fuse box connections?

 

[Guest]

I put the multimeter on it and it read 13.38v. Then tried to start - everything blanked out and the voltage dropped to 10.73. So it seems - I have a dead battery... although my (intelligent) battery charger sees it as "Full". I will take the battery to a specialist tomorrow.
My wife's little Ford Ka will get an outing for a change.
I will keep you guys posted...

 

[Guest]

Barry, you not that active on the SA forum anymore?

Sounds like dead battery...

Hope you get it sorted soon

 

[Guest]

I put the multimeter on it and it read 13.38v. Then tried to start - everything blanked out and the voltage dropped to 10.73. So it seems - I have a dead battery... although my (intelligent) battery charger sees it as "Full". I will take the battery to a specialist tomorrow.
My wife's little Ford Ka will get an outing for a change.
I will keep you guys posted...

Voltage drop could indicate a bad earth connection or possibly a duff started motor stuck in or burnt out.

 

[Guest]

Could be bad connections, we broke down in mrs' 4 month old fiesta on Sunday, whole car completely dead. AA man arrived, found neg battery lead slightly loose and nicely corroded. Gave it a wiggle and car ce to life. Then cleaned it thoroughly and put it back together tightly. Shame Ford didnt manage that 4 momths ago...

So may be worth checking as this would be free!!

 

[segmito]

Voltage drop could indicate a bad earth connection or possibly a duff started motor stuck in or burnt out.

Bad earth connecting wouldn't cause voltage drop across the battery but could be jammed starter motor.

 

[Guest]

Bad earth connecting wouldn't cause voltage drop across the battery but could be jammed starter motor.

Yes, your right not across the battery posts

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I have checked the battery terminals and they are clean and solid. With the terminals disconnected the voltage is under 11 volts...
I will let you know what the battery specialist says.

 

[zeffsofresh]

Any news?

 

[Guest]

Alternator, or the cambelt? It's the same engine in the Fiat bravo sport, and when my cambelt went my symptoms were the same (although those symptoms could indicate a lot of things). Just in case, don't try to turn the engine over too much or you could knock the valves. Fiat SA did cover it under the warranty, even though I only had 400km to spare. Keep us posted, my wife drives the same car, and I'd like to know what to look out for!

Any news?

Yes, it was a dead battery. The only downside was having to reset the date and time - excluding the cost of the battery. At least the new battery has a 3 year warranty.

(My wife got an email from Tracker that her car was travelling at 141km/h...)

 

[zeffsofresh]

Glad it was that simple!