[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by man23ish

However had called an ex-fiat technician to check. When he came the car did not start again and was now showing the Fuel injection and the battery warning lights.

He did not run any diagnostics but said there is an alternator problem which can be repaired (not replaced) and also the wiring needs to be changed/repaired with an initial estimate for both the jobs to be around 6-7k.

Sounds like the right diagnosis after reading the full post.

Looks like the battery change was an unnecessary expense and getting a service done for the sake of this issue alone would be another! Instead - get the alternator checked directly.

Very easy to diagnose the issue using a multimeter - The voltage should go up above 14 with the car started and the alternator delivering power to the battery. Forward him the below video -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJr7OB23Hw

[jeeva]

Originally Posted by man23ish

I got the battery 4 year old Exide battery replaced with a new one with same specs as before but the car is not cranking still and shows Fuel injection and the battery warning lights. My parking is at a difficult spot and cannot get the towing van there.

I have faced the same issue in the Linea. It was a corroded starter motor terminal. Any minor coolant leak/overflow will directly spill over the starter motor terminals. Get a decent electrician to check this first. I am saying this because you mention that the engine doesn't crank at all sometimes, and the rest of the time the car cranks normally.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Here is a brilliant article on troubleshooting authored by SS Traveller, I'm sure you will find answer to your question here, and much more :

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techn...t-what-do.html ("My Car Won't Start" | What To Do)

Let us know your finding.

Spike

[mayukh42]

Originally Posted by man23ish

Has someone faced issues of car not cranking at all with the same symptoms and advise how it was fixed?

I faced this issue in Aug 2021. However, in my case the battery did not have enough charge left (4.5 years old but was used sparingly during the lockdowns), so I replaced it. After that I also got it checked at FASS., specifically asked the service advisor to check for any alternator damage; thankfully there was none at that time.

This is a common problem in the backdrop of covid restrictions, when cars were not used on regular basis so the battery does not get the opportunity to charge itself normally. Diesel cars especially need to be on the run, though long idle periods would affect petrol cars too. It is a battery issue after all.

But if after replacing the battery it does not solve the issue, get the alternator checked/ repaired. Local FNG would do just fine if FASS is not nearby.

After that incident, based on the SA's advice I ensure to start the car every day and drive at least 5-7 kms in the neighbourhood (takes about 10-15 mins) if not farther. If at all I cannot go out, I still keep the engine running for some time with AC on, but the latter is an exception and should be avoided as it wastes more fuel than a drive.

Another reason to do this is to minimise risk of rat bites if engine is cold for too long.

[aditya.bhardwaj]

Originally Posted by man23ish

A friend of mine from Pune has Fiat Punto Diesel 8.5 year old with 60k run. Below is the issue he is facing -

"Couple of days back I started the car early morning and drove for around 7-8 kms and stopped for some time.
....

Please note I have never ever done any servicing outside of the Fiat ASS but the service center is around 35 kms from where I live as Fiat closed the other workshop in Pune during covid.
Kindly help/advise!! "

I also have a 2015 Punto evo MJD and unfortunately had the exact same issue. The car was working fine, but suddenly, it just stopped cranking. Got a push from some people on the road and went to my mech. He diagnosed it with two aspects, either the carbon bushes in the starter motor have worn out or there is an issue with the alternator.

The started motor was disassembled and the carbon bushes were the culprit. They checked the alternator as well but it seemed to be running fine.

Finally, the bushes were changed with the total cost of Rs 1250/- and since then there have been no issues.

Just for the sake of maintaining the battery well, I also got for the bosch C7 charger (as running is not so much post the pandemic scenario) and it has been a boon.

[man23ish]

Update: The car was towed to the FASS and on examination the issue was found to be due to the earthing cable. Got it replaced and also the car servicing was performed. However, with the ignition key on MAR position it still shows 3 warning signs for Fuel injection, battery and the fuel. These lights go-away when the car ignition is turned ON. As per the Fiat SA there is no problem and these can be ignored as with the car in running these lights don't appear. Should I be concerned? Need to go on a trip of 1500 kms and not sure if the problem is real or not? Also, I see now the fuel range reading is significantly lower than what it used to show previously.

[Nissan1180]

I would like to seek help from this forum about an issue with our Tata Nano.

The car sometimes refuses to start, and has to be push started. This behaviour is erratic- it can stop in the middle of the road and has to be push started. However, it starts normally after a few minutes of driving.

Is this an issue with the battery, or does it point to a fault in the alternator? The battery light is not on and the headlights+horn test can be passed. Is there a way to identify what’s wrong before replacing the battery?

[Swapnil4585]

Originally Posted by Nissan1180

Is this an issue with the battery, or does it point to a fault in the alternator? The battery light is not on and the headlights+horn test can be passed. Is there a way to identify what’s wrong before replacing the battery?

A running car shutting off is not an alternator issue. The other tell-a-tale signs however relate to a failing alternator.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Nissan1180

I would like to seek help from this forum about an issue with our Tata Nano.

The car sometimes refuses to start, and has to be push started. This behaviour is erratic- it can stop in the middle of the road and has to be push started. However, it starts normally after a few minutes of driving.

Is this an issue with the battery, or does it point to a fault in the alternator? The battery light is not on and the headlights+horn test can be passed. Is there a way to identify what’s wrong before replacing the battery?

It depends on what happens when it does not start -

1. The starter motor does not actuate. In that case the starter motor (dead spot on the commutator) or most probably the starter solenoid/relay (burnt contact) is at fault.

2. The starter motor actuates, but the car does not start - may be fuel or electrical problem.

So depending on the above, get the starter motor/solenoid checked. Or get the ignition and fuel line checked.

[suzuki san]

Hi Guys,

Need some help and advice please.

The car in question is an SX4 Zxi (Petrol) 2010 model. Run 105k Kms.

Of late I am experiencing a strange starting problem.

When I start the car for the first time in the day it starts without any problem. However, if I take it on a short run and then switch off the engine it refuses to start again. Even if I don't take the car for a run but switch off and try and start again after, say, 10 minutes, it refuses to start. The car cranks normally but does not start. Even after trying 6 or 7 times, no success. Have tried with accelerator pedal pressed as well but no luck.

This has happened 3 or 4 times now - the latest episode being this evening where I have been forced to leave the car on the roadside near a restaurant where it was parked and refused to start after we had dinner. A friend had to drop us back home.

I have changed the relays for the fuel pump twice. Battery is 4 months old. No warning lights on the dashboard. Maruti have run 2 scans and can find nothing wrong. My OBD scanner also shows no faults. FNG can also find nothing wrong!

The only thing I can think of is some sort of air lock that is happening or a faulty fuel pump.

Sadly, we are now losing faith in this car so I need to get this issue sorted out pronto.

Your valuable suggestions are most welcome.

Regards,
SS

[Sran]

Originally Posted by suzuki san

Hi Guys,

Need some help and advice please.
Your valuable suggestions are most welcome.

Go to a car specific electrician and let him check the alternator. This is a clear symptom of alternator(magnet) problem.

[suzuki san]

Originally Posted by Sran

Go to a car specific electrician and let him check the alternator. This is a clear symptom of alternator(magnet) problem.

Hi Sran,

Thanks for your response.

Can you please elaborate on the alternator issue? I don't understand why the alternator magnet is in any way related to this starting problem.

Yesterday I took the car to an FNG for another (unrelated) issue.
I told them to check this problem as well. At intervals of an hour or more they started the car and it started at the first attempt every single time. I brought the car back in the evening and stopped on the way for some errand. When I tried to start it did not start at the first attempt. It started the second time. This happened twice.

Car is back home but I am wary of using it now. Maruti say to bring it to their workshop and leave it there for 4 or 5 days so they can do proper trouble shooting.

Regards,
SS

[Sran]

Originally Posted by suzuki san

Can you please elaborate on the alternator issue? I don't understand why the alternator magnet is in any way related to this starting problem.

I went through the very same problem in one of my earlier cars. Car was able to start under 2 hours of a journey but would refuse to start after laid idle for more than 3-4 hours, the car had to push started or jumped start. I got hold of the issue in 3 days due to a competent FNG who diagnosed the issue to alternator and rectified it in an hour. He told me that battery was not able to charge correctly and hold the charge. My friend also faced the same problem and I took him to the same garage and it was the same problem. Both of our cars were 10+ years old.

[suzuki san]

Originally Posted by Sran

I went through the very same problem in one of my earlier cars. Car was able to start under 2 hours of a journey but would refuse to start after laid idle for more than 3-4 hours, the car had to push started or jumped start. I got hold of the issue in 3 days due to a competent FNG who diagnosed the issue to alternator and rectified it in an hour. He told me that battery was not able to charge correctly and hold the charge. My friend also faced the same problem and I took him to the same garage and it was the same problem. Both of our cars were 10+ years old.

Hi Sran,

Thanks for the explanation. However, as far as I can tell, the battery is holding charge and I am able to crank the engine at least 5 to 6 times but the car refuses to start. If the battery was not holding the charge then surely I would not be able to crank the car?

In fact, after leaving it overnight on the roadside, it started at the first touch the next morning. Not the sign of a car battery that is not charging properly surely?

What do you think?

Regards,
SS

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by suzuki san

What do you think?

I think it is the starter motor.

Get a servicing done to it. Anyways no harm in doing it as the ODO is 105K kms, whether that is the culprit or not.