Technical After 4 years I'm finally back to owning a fiat.... with problems

[614cooker]

First I bought my first every punto and very happy with it. The problem is who ever owned it in the past thought it was a good idea to remove the horn and airbag from the steering wheel and mount the horn button on the dash, so does anyone know how to safely remove the steering wheel without the airbag going off. As I can only presume its been removed as the airbag light is on and does anyone know how to put the horn back into the steering wheel.

2nd problem is anyone know of a cheap place to source the front and rear springs.

3rd problem is I'm getting some clicking brakes on the back hubs with a constant metallic noise I can only presume it needs new shoes as the handbrake does not hold the car very wheel. My problem is how does the drum come off is the bearing pressed in the hub or is it seperate and do the bearings fall apart when removing the hub just so I know if I need to get replacement bearings or not.

Also does anyone know of any cheap place in the northeast for timing belt replacement as I'm not sure if its been done or not.

Apart from that the car is in great shape with only 74k on the clock I paid a very expensive £270 for it but I've been lucky as the CD player in it sold on eBay for £200 as the previous owner thought it was nackered but after looking at it the CD payer was just disconnected. so the car with 12 months not and 4 months tax cost me £70

I am very greatful for the help. Martin

It feels good to be back home.

 

[oldhammer]

Hello,

Re: airbag, Iwouidnt Condemn this its more than likely not faulty.
id be removing airbag and looking over the conections too it or

suspect the clockspring /squib.

but still there couid be nothing wrong with that either,
car couid of previously belonged to a young lad ..they like aftermarket racing style steering wheels see,


you need to disconect battery for a good 15mins before removing this to inspect. and leave battery lead off whilst working on it,

Re suspension springs, Eurocarparts have some good deals on atm worth alook on there

Timing belt. if this is 8valve punto iwouidnt worry about changing it,
they is none interference engine ..so if it did ever let go then valves will/shouid stay straight,

 

[fingers99]

Clicking could be everything well past sell by date, alternatively, over long wheel bolts -- if this, there may well be witness marks.

I'm thinking, young Fat Car reader thinks girls with out of proportion hooters will be attracted to him if he fits push button start, bigger wheels, racing steering wheel, but removes lot and sells car when finds it doesn't work. (A sad tale............)

 

[614cooker]

Very true at least the car is now with someone that cares about her. I will get her back to normal. The clicking is only when braking. But the squeal is when I'm driving. I'm going to give her a full service and now I know my 8v gall won't knack her top end if she snaps a belt I feel I lot better. Money we'll spent. I've owned her two days and already washed and polished her twice.

 

[oldhammer]

nice to see someone fixing up an old punto

mine was bought on the cheap. more or less everything on it was fubard
upto now it worked out a cheap buy but after doing the maths its
cost me more or less the same as buying one off a garage fourcourt,

here is mine, https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors/334176-my-yellow-ting.html

it started off as a 200 pound heap which was more or less going to be sent to
weighbridge by last owner.

 

[614cooker]

That's one night car mate, don't get me wrong it's got no rust and only has 74k on the clock runs great just needs brakes sorted and other few gremlins so I have gotten a bargain. But I have just seen another gremlin my petrol light keeps going on and off but the needle is no where near the empty, I put £30 in her and have traveled 120 miles so I'm guessing its a sensor. Anyway your car she does look good very nice mate, need to get alloys for mine as she's got steel wheels at the moment. I will post some photos soob

 

[614cooker]

Bloody mobile correction I mean nice car mate sorry about that

 

[oldhammer]

Fuel gauge on punto's always apear to be iffy.

its just the way they are mate. you can be at quarter of a tank and reserve light will come on,

punto's are easy to work on and very cheap to make make mint,

have alook at homewards 5door punto on here it will give you someideas.

once you start with the mods you carnt stop mind,
homeward

 

[Ziggy122]

People say there iffy about the fuel guages
There not iffy - its just how they are set up

From about the quater tank marker - the Fuel reserve light comes on
Thats because you are running on the amount left in the tank to get to the next station

I however know tho - you can easily run down from the past 2 punto's till the needle is sat flat, and still keep going

I tend to get to the red section and then consider filling up - i dont do long runs so im never far from a petrol station

Ziggy

 

[homeward]

Fuel gauge on punto's always apear to be iffy.

its just the way they are mate. you can be at quarter of a tank and reserve light will come on...

People say there iffy about the fuel guages
There not iffy - its just how they are set up

From about the quater tank marker - the Fuel reserve light comes on
Thats because you are running on the amount left in the tank to get to the next station...

I've found if you click over to the 'range remaining' display, it always hits 75 miles, just as the orange light comes on... -- and always just below the quarter mark. For me, that's three return journeys into town...!

 

[Ziggy122]

I've found if you click over to the 'range remaining' display, it always hits 75 miles, just as the orange light comes on... -- and always just below the quarter mark. For me, that's three return journeys into town...!

same here - i will do about a weeks worth of return journeys to work and back

But i work next to a petrol station anyway

i regulary run my reverse down as well Only run out of fuel once, luckily i was in a tesco with a petrol station, i pushed and she steered lol


Ziggy

 

[oldhammer]

im not allowed to run the punto on reserve.

the mrs goes into Press the panic button mode,

We iz going to run out of fuel.
no there is millions of miles left yet..nah tank has to be full

more weight less mpg's she not listen tho

 

[614cooker]

Ok well if that's the case it's working fine so one less job. I've already started the mods got a cone airfilter ready a bore exhaust but think it's far to big so going to see if I can swap it for something smaller. Sun visor tint and wanting some smoke lights and alloys. I will post some photos of me car soon

 

[614cooker]

And here she is my fiat gall

 

[614cooker]

Just a question does the punto come with a key fob or just keys, I'm only asking as my only got one key with my car previous owner bought it like this.

 

[614cooker]

Oldhammer I feel you, my mother and my lass does the same thing unless I have it at half a tank they think my cars empty and going to run out in the middle of no where

 

[oldhammer]

And here she is my fiat gall View attachment 134143View attachment 134144

looks very tidy,

needs alloys and some sensible modifications, like mr homeward on here as done

 

[oldhammer]

Oldhammer I feel you, my mother and my lass does the same thing unless I have it at half a tank they think my cars empty and going to run out in the middle of no where

its life mate,

ah well the 20p aliter off at tescos helps atm, ihas to buy lots off food for the
tribe so it all adds up on the savings,

 

[614cooker]

Very easy for me mate lol redcoats shop there on a daily basis, that's kids for you.

 

[614cooker]

Sorry mean tesco