Technical 2015 twinair 4x4

[1teabag]

Hi all, first couple of problems with my Panda (had it 4 years so not bad going!). We have a possible fuel problem, engine starts and runs fine for a few mins, drive a few hundred yards from home (up and down hills) and it dies. won't restart so had to tow it home a couple of times. I've found that if i give it plenty of throttle it will keep going and can eventually leave it ticking over. It's been suggested that it could be the fuel pump but my local mechanic is not sure. Any suggestions before i fork out £200+?...Also the start stop doesn't work any more....

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Stop/start not working is sign of failing battery (and at four years that's about right, and if original battery from 2015, then very good going indeed!)

But that's unlikely to the cause of the engine to cut out. There have been previous posts about a cutting out when warm issue... seem to recall related to the ignition coils

Update: see here (but ignore the second post that seems to have been in reply to a different thread!) https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/p...ut-within-a-few-minutes-of-cold-start.495433/

Another thread suggests it can be an issue of low oil level (or wrong oil) -- the TwinAir relies on oil pressure to control the engine valves

 

[A3jeroen]

Throttle body clean?

No intake leaks?

gr J

 

[jrkitching]

Rough running on a TA can be indicative of a failing uniair module; interestingly this is the second thread this evening on this subject. At 40k miles, it's a little early to be encountering this issue, but we've seen it before at lower mileages than this.

Since replacing the uniair module will cost you closer to £2000 than £200, you'll need to be as sure as you can about correctly identifying the problem.

Have a look at this current thread from the 500 section, as it contains some useful links and will save me repeating myself.

 

[1teabag]

Thanks for the comments, I'll check what i can and pass them on to 'spanners'

 

[1teabag]

Stop/start not working is sign of failing battery (and at four years that's about right, and if original battery from 2015, then very good going indeed!)

But that's unlikely to the cause of the engine to cut out. There have been previous posts about a cutting out when warm issue... seem to recall related to the ignition coils

Update: see here (but ignore the second post that seems to have been in reply to a different thread!) https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/p...ut-within-a-few-minutes-of-cold-start.495433/

Another thread suggests it can be an issue of low oil level (or wrong oil) -- the TwinAir relies on oil pressure to control the engine valves

 

[1teabag]

I figured the battery was the best place to start as i found a receipt for a new one from Jan 2020 so went out and bought a replacement. Eventually found a Drivetec one for £135.
Fitted and cranked over for a while, had to keep pumping the throttle and eventually it started. Ran it for several minutes, then let it idle for a bit. Turned it off and restarted a few times then ventured out on the road and gave it a good run. S/S worked fine and ....so far.... seems to be back to it's old happy self. Chatting to a Fiat mech who said the ECU really doesn't behave well with a tired battery so hoping this has the problem licked. Many thanks for all the advice!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I figured the battery was the best place to start as i found a receipt for a new one from Jan 2020 so went out and bought a replacement. Eventually found a Drivetec one for £135.
Fitted and cranked over for a while, had to keep pumping the throttle and eventually it started. Ran it for several minutes, then let it idle for a bit. Turned it off and restarted a few times then ventured out on the road and gave it a good run. S/S worked fine and ....so far.... seems to be back to it's old happy self. Chatting to a Fiat mech who said the ECU really doesn't behave well with a tired battery so hoping this has the problem licked. Many thanks for all the advice!

Another reply that shows the battery often is the best place to start… electronic control systems really don’t like anything other than a perfect voltage and do tend to lead to all sorts of ‘randomness’ if in less than good health. Glad you got it sorted and fingers crossed it’s solved everything for you.
Pete

 

[1teabag]

Another reply that shows the battery often is the best place to start… electronic control systems really don’t like anything other than a perfect voltage and do tend to lead to all sorts of ‘randomness’ if in less than good health. Glad you got it sorted and fingers crossed it’s solved everything for you.
Pete

Thanks Pete, cautiously optimistic!