Technical 2006 Grande Punto Wont Start & Other Problems

[alanlush]

Hi, I'm Alan and im new to this forum. I have recently bought a 2006 1.4 Grande Punto Sporting as a non runner, it wont turn over and there are a few other problems with it. When I turn the key the following error messages are displayed -

Have power steering checked
EBD failure
ESP unavailable
Airbag failure
ABS unavailable
Hill holder unavailable
ASR disconnected

I checked the earth cable that runs from the battery to the gearbox and it was in 2 pieces, I have changed it for a new one but I still get the error messages. If I turn the headlights on and the fan and put the full beam on everything dims and the fan cuts out, If I put jump leads on it everything comes back on but still get the errors and it wont turn over, I can just hear a click from the relay in the fuse box. Also the front indicators, side lights & reverse light doesn't work, I have checked the bulbs and they are fine. If I plug my scanner into the OBD port it comes up with a linking error. Can anyone help me find a fix for these problems?

Thanks

 

[aurick86]

With the key to ACC (before turning the engine) do you see the check engine light?

Is the earth cable new? or is it second hand?

 

[alanlush]

Hi,

All of the lights are on, the cable is brand new.

Alan.

 

[alanlush]

The check engine light does not come on sorry, the padlock with car is on.

Alan.

 

[aurick86]

The check engine light does not come on sorry, the padlock with car is on.

Alan.

That tells me that the ECU isn't getting power or ground (in accordance with the OBD Scanner linking error).

Check for ground.. it's simple:
Multimeter between ECU metal body and the negative terminal on the battery. Read the voltage... anything over ~0.4v means ground is bad.

Now .. the engine won't turn over... could be just a dead battery.
But could also be many other things: ignition barrel, the engine might just be flooded, the main fuses might be bad, the main positive cable might be bad... the starter could be bad.

 

[alanlush]

Hi,

I have put a new battery on it, still doesn't turn over. I have just noticed that half of the passenger side arch liner is missing and all of the wiring and the fuse box is wet and covered in dirt, I have taken the fuse box out and am now drying it out on a radiator. Will fit it back on and see what happens.

 

[Bernievarian]

Guess you got it ...

 

[alanlush]

I have refitted the fuse box today and the front indicators work now but still no engine management light and it wont turn over, just get a click from the relay. I dot even hear the fuel pump prime. Multi-meter from ecu body to negative shows way above 0.4v.

Alan.

 

[aurick86]

Multi-meter from ecu body to negative shows way above 0.4v.

How much more? exact voltage please!

 

[alanlush]

Showing 12.3

 

[aurick86]

That means the ground is BAD... at least for the ECU.

Do the same test between the engine block and the negative battery terminal.. whats the voltage?

 

[alanlush]

I get 1.4 doing that test.

 

[alanlush]

I have just taken the ecu off and the black cover fell straight off it, do you think that this has anything to do with the problems I'm having?

Alan.

 

[aurick86]

So 1.4 v between engine and negative terminal???????-with no load!!!! Again BAD GROUND

Put a wire between ecu body and Negative battery.. do you get the Check Engine light when you put the key to ACC?

 

[Bernievarian]

That's a non-sense ! How can you read 1.4 volts without load ?? And wasn't it 12.3 V at another measurement ??

- get a battery booster cable set
- attach one wire from battery negative terminal to the gearbox
- attach the other from negative terminal aswell to the car's body earthing point

See from there how it goes; it could be also that the positive cable goint to the starter motor is roten ...

Last but not least, an opened ECU is rarely a good sign :-(

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

 

[alanlush]

So 1.4 v between engine and negative terminal???????-with no load!!!! Again BAD GROUND

Put a wire between ecu body and Negative battery.. do you get the Check Engine light when you put the key to ACC?

I have put a cable between negative terminal and ecu and now get 0.4, still won’t turn over and no engine light.

 

[aurick86]

That means you've also got other problems... on the positive side as well.
Probably from the wet fuse box.
Remove each fuse.. and use a test light to make sure they are fine.
You might also have some corroded relays.remove each one.. use some wires and a 10-50w bulb to make sure the relays work as they should. (google/youtube will show you how to test)

 

[aurick86]

Might want to pay closer attention to the fuses/relays for the engine management:


(^^that is for a punto.. but they seem very familiar)

 

[alanlush]

Hi,

Here is what I have tried so far, changed fuse box for a second hand one, replaced positive cable that goes from battery to the starter motor & alternator, put a brand new negative cable on, cleaned all of the earth points, put a new battery on, car still wont turn over. Any other ideas?

Alan.

 

[multipete]

If the starter won't turn the engine over .....................1-Check you have good Earth on starter(battery earth to starter body voltage,should be zero volts.Measure from battery post not clamp). 2-Check you have battery voltage at starter(thick red wire) 3-short little wire (from starter solenoid) to thick red wire (on starter) with thick wire or big screw driver. If starter doesn't turn and wiring is correct,it's a faulty starter or solenoid . If it does turn, wiring fault to solenoid. Easy test and point you in the right direction.