[star_aqua]

Originally Posted by hrag

I can understand not being able to crank when the engine is running. But when the engine stalls, why should one turn the whole thing off?

thats a mechanical arrangement in the ingnition lock to avoid double cranking. since the key postion are like this
1--> steering lock
2--> accessories
3--> starter
when key is insterted at postion 1 and turned, it will fisrt switch ON the accessories(position 2) and from 2 to 3 is engine cranking. after cranking
the key returns to 2 and now there is lock on postion 3. to release this lock the key has to be put in position 1. hence turning the accessories OFF. this is completely a mechanical arrangement and it cant make out if the engine is stalled.

[hrag]

Saar, crank is always spring loaded AFTER 3, is it not? whether the engine starts or not, the key will come back to 3, not 2. the key can be in position 3 all day without cranking.

But your explanation of the mechanical arrangement makes sense.

[watashi75]

I am still not clear how the starter motor is connected to the engine flywheel. If I am coasting down in neutral gear with the engine off, will I not be able to crank the engine in this situation? Or do I need to press the clutch and disengage the tranny so that the engine RPM can fall down to 0 before I can crank the engine?

[star_aqua]

Originally Posted by hrag

Saar, crank is always spring loaded AFTER 3, is it not? whether the engine starts or not, the key will come back to 3, not 2. the key can be in position 3 all day without cranking.

But your explanation of the mechanical arrangement makes sense.

No Saar. what you say is right which is common in most of the vehicles, but FIAT uses a different setup as what i explained. infact i have this setup from FIAT which came here for immobiliser testing.

[hrag]

Thanks Vijay - makes sense now. So there is no "IGN" position in FIATs? Haven't lived with one to notice this.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by watashi75

I am still not clear how the starter motor is connected to the engine flywheel.

It is not. At least, it is not connected always.

If I am coasting down in neutral gear with the engine off, will I not be able to crank the engine in this situation?

You can, if your ignition system permits you. Ikon/ Fiat owners are facing a safety threat here - since they have to turn the key back to "steering lock" position in order to crank the engine.

Or do I need to press the clutch and disengage the tranny so that the engine RPM can fall down to 0 before I can crank the engine?

Huh? With engine off, engine RPM IS 0.

[watashi75]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

Huh? With engine off, engine RPM IS 0.

I am sorry about that. I wrote neutral gear when I had a non-neutral gear in mind!

[star_aqua]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

Ikon/ Fiat owners are facing a safety threat here - since they have to turn the key back to "steering lock" position in order to crank the engine.

nope, thats not a threat. you can turn the key back to 'steering lock' position while moving. but never take the key out. the steering gets locked only when at the time you take the key out but doesn't lock when you turn back to 'steering lock' position.

Originally Posted by hrag

Thanks Vijay - makes sense now. So there is no "IGN" position in FIATs? Haven't lived with one to notice this.

Yes Hrishi, there is no differentation between 'ACC' and 'IGN' postion. both are same.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by watashi75

I am sorry about that. I wrote neutral gear when I had a non-neutral gear in mind!

You can't coast with engine off and vehicle in gear. It will start the engine. Else cause serious drive train (gear box, joints, etc) issues.

[watashi75]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

You can't coast with engine off and vehicle in gear. It will start the engine. Else cause serious drive train (gear box, joints, etc) issues.

Hi BaCkSeAtDrIVeR, I realize I did not ask the question properly! I wanted to know if it was actually possible to crank the engine if it is not at standstill. I found something on the web which answers my question.



So theoretically it is possible to crank the engine even if it is not at standstill, but the engine RPM should not be too high.

[sgiitk]

Originally Posted by oss

While test driving Linea i noticed that when the engine stalled (the clutch was a bit sharp ), and when i turned the ignition, i couldn't turn it on till i turned the key to complete off position, before turning it on.

Very common in European cars. I had this in my Ford Escort in 1973!