[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Stopped at a good wide clearing and started tightening it - and soon this happened :

So what function is this broken cable from the ring terminal serving?

Is this your Headlight upgrade relay wiring kit? Or some other auxiliary device? Guess the terminal broke due to perpendicular pressure on it while you attempted to torque the main battery terminal nut.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

So what function is this broken cable from the ring terminal serving?

Is this your Headlight upgrade relay wiring kit? Or some other auxiliary device? Guess the terminal broke due to perpendicular pressure on it while you attempted to torque the main battery terminal nut.

It broke off before I really started tightening, so mostly was already on the edge of material failure.

Looks like the negative earthing to the body. Switches off immediately with the cable disconnected. Car just keeps cranking without the engine firing.

And this warning lamp came on -



PS: Spotted your car parked on the road outside Royal Mart last week, but didn't see anyone around for a few minutes that I was there.

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Looks like the negative earthing to the body. Switches off immediately with the cable disconnected. Car just keeps cranking without the engine firing.

For sure a crucial one as you explain the symptoms. A loose or disconnected earthing to chassis can really make a car a lot more dramatic while things still continue to function normally.

A friend's Punto serviced at one of the reputed FASS near Hebbal had this loose terminal but on the chassis side and was driven for 500 Km till it started showing symptoms (with all possible warning lights on instrument panel) till the Service Center at Belgaum diagnosed it to a loosely hanging Battery negative to chassis ground terminal. So most of the sensors were functioning merely on battery power for those few hours till they finally started throwing warning on the cluster and the car stopped.

And this warning lamp came on

Generally, with Marutis, this one is to do with your car's security system (Immobilizer/Key Battery etc). Not sure if it signifies the same for your Punto too.

PS: Spotted your car parked on the road outside Royal Mart last week, but didn't see anyone around for a few minutes that I was there.

Ah that's nice. Never spotted you till now though we are less than 2 minutes away.

Which Royal Mart was this? One next to the Resort? I am now trying to recollect when was this because lockdown or no lockdown, I have mostly stepped out every alternate day on an average to either buy essentials for self or for my friend who stays at our apartment who insists that I go along with him as he doesn't want to confront the cops and cannot speak in Kannada.

Last few days, I am mostly taking out the WagonR as this has half a tank fuel left while the Ertiga is already on low fuel warning light .

We must catch up sometime soon!!

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

PS: Spotted your car parked on the road outside Royal Mart last week, but didn't see anyone around for a few minutes that I was there.

Somehow I felt it was your Punto that I saw around 6:30ish on Ananthapura Road yesterday. I was being driven in a Ciaz of my friend in the opposite direction and I glanced into your car's driver seat and noticed someone who looked like you but without your glasses. Checked with Arun about your Registration number (could only see initial part) and he too feels it was you who I spotted .

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Which Royal Mart was this? One next to the Resort?

Yes, that's the one. Sure we should catch up someday soon.

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Somehow I felt it was your Punto that I saw around 6:30ish on Ananthapura Road yesterday.

That should have been me.

We just went out for the weekly shopping!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

The key finally started showing signs of old age with the soft buttons developing a minor crack. Will think of replacing it later - but for now - ordered a nice looking silicon case for it.





Boot release button obviously doesn't work for the Punto! Used the chance to replace the battery as well -



While out on a short drive yesterday (and no social distancing norms violated ) to keep the battery charged. Odo reading finally crossed 1,92,500.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Feels wonderful to be back on the long highways again (with Interstate travel pass and all safety precautions, ofcourse!).

Last time I drove down - the suspension was almost dead - and still it felt miles ahead of our Xcent! The changed suspension struts, along with the upgraded 195/65 section tyres are now smiling at almost everything the roads are throwing at it. Bliss!

Will use the boring quarantine after-work hours to do some proper cleaning of the car, hopefully - inspired by 'GG'.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Quarantine with Punto

Oh hello there! This little guy game to check out the new visitors. Used to people alright, he settled right in after having some milk, even though seeing us for the first time.


BS6 fuel effect? Fuel economy was rather less this time around, even though I was cruising at 100kmph for the most part and almost never exceeded 110kmph. Wasn't driving to conserve fuel, nor taking it easy during the last 100 kms of two-lane roads though! Was shifting down eagerly to stay in the turbo zone.

Will need to keep an eye during future runs.



Marking its territory - hmmm!



Looks like the lower hose for the radiator. Coolant was topped up before the drive and doesn't seem to have reduced significantly (barely enough to even notice) over 800kms. So shouldn't be critical - just old age getting to the rubber parts.

Will try my luck with the local service center post the quarantine period.



Anyways - another brilliant highway drive completed successfully. Time to relax and take a nice bath:



Clean and ready to spend quarantine at the spa -



Alloys were only cleaned with regular wash shampoo till date - and the dust was starting to show. Stubborn dirt inside the bolt area and the centre caps were also starting to look a bit faded.



Trying out Sonax Xtreme Wheel Cleaner - Full effect. Spray on -



Let it bleed -



Brush away the stubborn particles -



And wash!



Some scratch marks inside the bolt area can't be helped - but looks satisfactory otherwise.



Good to see some lustre return to the paint. Will polish and wax later!



Told ya he settled right in! Not much interested in the alloy wheels though - will need to see once the polish and wax stage is completed.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Quarantine with Punto (continued...)

The final product after polish, wax and tyre conditioner -



Rear wheels -



He's still not interested! Oh, well!



Body panels still seem to have some shine left in them - but swirl marks are evident now. Will not be much bothered into such finer details. Will just do another round of proper cleaning, polish and wax later on.



Interior and plastics need attention first -



Exterior plastics were a problem area with the Punto and fades really fast. Has not been a major concern till date with the occasional application of Meguairs Natural Shine Protectant -



Post the application -



Steering wheel given a generous dose of protectant as well. Note - The extra gloss is because the protectant is yet to dry completely. It has negligible extra gloss (unlike the products used by service centres) and only helps to enhance the natural shine of the plastics.



a/c vents, CD player area etc screaming for attention -



Post cleaning.



Toothbrush is the best tool!



Had never noticed how much of fine dust particles were stuck in these knobs - although they appear fine when viewed from the driver's seat.



Toothbrush and protectant to the rescue once again -



Dirty footwell area! May replace the worn-out pedals by next service - though not decided whether to go stock or after market.



Cleaned -



Guess I am guilty of not having paid much attention to the plastics in the lower half. They do really help make the car feel fresh again.



Passenger side - Before



Passenger side - After.



Rear door pads -



Boot -



Parcel tray supports and tail lamp area -



Another area I've been guilty of ignoring - is the music system. They've only been vaccum cleaned, but never properly treated.



The JBL Amplifier especially is an older unit gifted from a friend's car - and it had a lot of dust on the sides. The DLS 4 channel seems to have been designed for colder climates and the plastics have become soft and sticky to the touch. It has also been removed and installed about 3-4 times - and that has left some marks too.



Cleaned.



Good amount of toothbrush work helped clean up the JBL amp. DLS needed some extra use of Meguairs Bug and Tar remover. (Not the ideal product, but have to make do with what I have available during the quarantine period).



Sub cleaned and ready to rock! Lol.



Pending work -
1. Vaccum cleaning (Will need to wait till after the quarantine).
2. Underbody cleaning (Will need to go to shop and hence after the quarantine).
3. Engine bay cleaning.
4. Polish and Wax.
5. Areas around the Bonnet, door sills etc.
6. Fix the radiator lower hose (Service center later).

For now, will just enjoy the monsoon rains with a simple cup of chai in hand.

[blueblooded]

Sorry to bump in your ownership thread but it's bit urgent.
My fiat avventura has clocked 90500 km and needs urgent timing chain replacement as mandated by its service manual .
I am trying to source the timing kit from outside the authorised service centre and get it replaced by the mechanic working in Fiat ASC at my home .Now the problem is timing kit which is available is meant for tata quadrajets .
I am bit skeptical about the quality of tata timing kit .
Are there any better options or I have to settle for tata spares .

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by blueblooded

Sorry to bump in your ownership thread but it's bit urgent.
My fiat avventura has clocked 90500 km and needs urgent timing chain replacement as mandated by its service manual .
I am trying to source the timing kit from outside the authorised service centre and get it replaced by the mechanic working in Fiat ASC at my home .Now the problem is timing kit which is available is meant for tata quadrajets .
I am bit skeptical about the quality of tata timing kit .
Are there any better options or I have to settle for tata spares .

The ones available in Tata is the normal ones and the refreshed one which runs for 90k kms interval. So get the FCA one and replace it. Else use TATA ones and change at 50k or 60k kms interval.

If you can source FCA one nothing like it.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by blueblooded

I am trying to source the timing kit from outside the authorised service centre and get it replaced by the mechanic working in Fiat ASC at my home .Now the problem is timing kit which is available is meant for tata quadrajets .

It is best to get the FIAT kit - the updated design (was changed sometime in 2018 IIRC) which allows for better lubrication of the chain. This was done to resolve some of the issues with timing chain in the earlier batch of 90HP Multijets.

I'm not familiar which version TATA comes with - will try to check and update.

Edit - Looks like Krishna has clarified regarding the TATA one. Skip it and get the FIAT design if you plan to retain the car for 50k kms or more.

[blueblooded]

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

The ones available in Tata is the normal ones and the refreshed one which runs for 90k kms interval. So get the FCA one and replace it. Else use TATA ones and change at 50k or 60k kms interval.

If you can source FCA one nothing like it.

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

It is best to get the FIAT kit - the updated design (was changed sometime in 2018 IIRC) which allows for better lubrication of the chain. This was done to resolve some of the issues with timing chain in the earlier batch of 90HP Multijets.

I'm not familiar which version TATA comes with - will try to check and update.

Edit - Looks like Krishna has clarified regarding the TATA one. Skip it and get the FIAT design if you plan to retain the car for 50k kms or more.

Well I will keep it till it starts falling apart ..
I ll try to procure FCA kit ,please do suggest ways to get it.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by blueblooded

I ll try to procure FCA kit ,please do suggest ways to get it.

Did you check 99rpm.com website?

I think they must have what you need.

[KPR]

Originally Posted by blueblooded

Well I will keep it till it starts falling apart ..
I ll try to procure FCA kit ,please do suggest ways to get it.

Contact nearby FASS for over the counter spares? Or 99rpm to the rescue.
Get your mechanic to inspect the water pump too. If needed change it along with this repair. I had mine leaking at 80k odo.