fiat 500 wont start :(

[richard]

HELLO THERE AS YOU KNOW IVE JUST BROUGHT A FIAT 500L , IVE GOT IT HOME, EVENTUALLY AND HOOKED ON THE JUMP LEADS AND I GET DASH LIGHTS , THEN WHEN I PULL THE STARTER HANDLE ( NOTHING ATALL ) ? NO SOUND OR ANYTHING ??

CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHAT TO CHECK PLEASE. AS I KNOW IT HASNT RUN IN TWO YEARS....

PLEASE PLEASE HELP

INFACT IF THERE IS ANYONE IN LEICESTERSHIRE THAT COULD POP ROUND AND HELP / ADVISE THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC


IFNOT MESSAGE ME ON HERE AND GUIDE ME BEST YOU CAN PLEASE ..

ALL THE BEST

RICHARD

[ChrisRLewis]

Firstly it sounds like the starter motor is not functioning.
1st check
Make sure car is in neutral, on the starter motor itself there is a lever with a cable attached to it. Try moving the lever to see if the motor will then function?
If it still does not work it will then be best to remove the starter motor from the car, you can then check it's working with two jump leads, one to the starter motor body and one to the thick lead to the starter motor. If  still dead it could be brushes sticking or even the motor is duff.

Other problems could be
Starter motor faulty
Bad earth connection on engine
Faulty power lead to starter motor

[richard]

hello mate, cheers for the info .. i will look at it in morning and see what i can do... keep you posted

if the coil was faulty , would it still turn over

[ChrisRLewis]

hello mate, cheers for the info .. i will look at it in morning and see what i can do... keep you posted

if the coil was faulty , would it still turn over

yes the engine will still turn over, just would not start because of no spark to the spark plugs.

[richard]

me and my father and brother have had a look at the starter , we have rocked the car backwards and forwards in gear to find a good spot on it for it too work .. so im assuming that the bushes have gone

however we cannot get a spark of anykind at the spark plugs , or on the coil where the king lead attaches

we can get a bulb to come on our screwdriver on the + and - of the coil , but not in the middle ??

anyone got any further advice atall please???

[richard]

PLEASE PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP ME HERE ....

FURTHER TO MY PREVIOUS POSTS :

im not getting any kind of spark atall ??

At ht lead , or at points ??


however we cannot get a spark of anykind at the spark plugs , or on
> the coil where the king lead attaches
>
>
> we can get a bulb to come on our screwdriver on the + and - of the coil ,
> but not in the middle (WHERE KING LEAD ATTACHES )??
>
>
> anyone got any further advice atall please???

[ChrisRLewis]

First thing is to sort the low tension side of the coil, the two small connections on the coil.

Put ignition switch on you should have power on the connection with two wires on the coil.

Check this first and reply back.

[richard]

this morning i got power on the + and - on the coil

after buying a new coil from the shop i now only get power on the + side ??

is this correct

i also brought a new rotor arm , and a new set of points .....

but im puzzled about the coil

[ChrisRLewis]

this morning i got power on the + and - on the coil

after buying a new coil from the shop i now only get power on the + side ??

is this correct

i also brought a new rotor arm , and a new set of points .....

but im puzzled about the coil

yes you will have constant power in the + (with the ignition on)

with the - connection you do not always have power, it depends on the position of the engine i.e if the points are in a open or closed position.

[richard]

this morning i got power on the + and - on the coil

after buying a new coil from the shop i now only get power on the + side ?? (that comes from front of car and is longest wire )
is this correct

i get nothing from the shorter - wire now ?


i also brought a new rotor arm , and a new set of points .....

but im puzzled about the coil

[richard]

hello cars and fellows peeps ,

whats next to try then ?

[ChrisRLewis]

I would remove the distributor (mark it first with a felt pen or scribe mark, one mark on the distributor and one on the engine)  you can replace it roughly in the same position then.

I would then remove the points, condenser and the top plate of the distributor (noting on how everything goes to aid reassembly) You can then check the bob weights and springs of the distributor ensure that they are not sticking (common fault on the 500 especially if it has not run for 2 years) Also give the bob weights a spray with WD40.

Reassemble the distributor and replace the contact points also change the condenser (prone to go on the 500)
Because the distributor is out, it?s now easy to set the contact breaker points gap before replacing it back on the engine.

Replace the distributor on the engine, with the ignition on and the contact points in a closed position try prising the points open with the ignition on, you should see and hear a spark when they open.

If it does spark thats great!  You will then have to check the ignition timing.

[ENZ9 1]

Is the lever actually attached to the starter?

[richard]

yes the lever is attached to the starter ...

the engine turns, im just getting no spark ??

ive changed the coil, points, condesor, rotor arm and still nothing .(i think).

im waiting on some help from a neighbour..to be at one end of the car whilst he/ me turns the ignition...


i will keep you all posted


. and if needs be i may pay a mobile auto electrician ...

[paul harbinson.]

Hello mate,one quick test you can try on your own is take the dizzy cap off turn ignition on and open and close the point with a small (insulated) screwdriver.If there is no spark then the fault lies further back i.e wiring or leads.The fact you say you replaced the coil (new?) rules that out.The main thing is not to panic.There is one of three things that make a petrol engine go from a FIAT to a FERRARI thats air spark and fuel.Hope this has'nt bored you to death .