General New Punto HGT '05 Queries & Problems

[sHAYM4N]

Hi all, first post!

Recently bought an 05 Punto HGT to replace my old scrapped Punto MK2 1.2.
Paid £600 with only 41k on the clock with MOT history that ties up. Everything still stock, 6 owners and 8 service stamps. Inside and out clean and appears well looked after. MOT due March '17. Think it was sat for at least a year as an MOT was missing a couple of years back on the history and would help account for the low mileage. Cambelt was changed at 33,000 so hopefully still has life in it yet.

Hoping I've bought a runner but have a few niggles I'm trying to iron out....

Handbrake lock failed after a couple of days, so took it for a part service, oil and filter change (sump plug was rounded off, so they replaced that too) Garage didn't seem keen to complete the job, saying the air filters were expensive, and called FIAT about the handbrake as a new handle would be needed.
Decided to finish the job with a mate, so replaced and tightened handbrake myself, whilst he changed the spark plugs. He noticed a spark plug seal was missing, not ideal (any idea on where I can get a spare?) Still have the air filter to do but will order one this week (any recommendation on brand part etc?)

Stock headunit cant find the CD autochanger (it lights up, ejects etc, doesnt appear on SRC - could a code be required?)

Airbag failure occasionally shows up shortly after setting off.

Has stalled a couple of times for me now, in slow moving traffic, today with the engine light on - disappears after turning over again but a bit concerning.

Passenger wiper linkage dropped out on me the other day, put back in but noisy and still bounces a bit. Have ordered a couple of the retention clips but not sure if those will fix the bounce.

Power steering has failed a couple of times, always on full lock (guessing its a punto thing as it happened everytime on my 1.2 too?) also had the warning come on a couple of times with no loss on the steering.

Any ideas or help for other common problems to check greatly appreciated!

 

[flisko]

quite good

for that engine light, you need to plug it to computer to scan errors

 

[sHAYM4N]

quite good

for that engine light, you need to plug it to computer to scan errors

Cheers! ELM327 USB cable + multiecuscan? Have a windows 10 tablet I can use, although haven't linked up before, would I also be able to reset the service reminder from that? Garage failed to do so.

 

[BILL33]

The tires are the original from back then?
For the power steering check the condition of your battery,if its low on power you will have problems.
Also the air intake might need cleaning,thats why it stalls .

Nice color!!!!! Love it!!!!!!!!!

 

[sHAYM4N]

The tires are the original from back then?
For the power steering check the condition of your battery,if its low on power you will have problems.
Also the air intake might need cleaning,thats why it stalls .

Nice color!!!!! Love it!!!!!!!!!

If I get 41k+ per tyre I hope so! Hah, doubt it - cant remember whats on it, but they've got a bit of tread left yet.

Brilliant thanks for that, battery maybe a little low - I dont do much mileage myself, and noticed the passenger window struggles sometimes, so will give it a charge (hoping its not the motor anyway) presume I can give the air intake a good clean when I do the filter? Any recommendations on filter - garage seemed stumped on even finding one.

Mr Auto comes up with BOLK, Filtron, Mann or BOSCH, Mann still good - or should I be getting something fancier? My last Punto was held together with glue and bluetack, so not used to having actually buy parts! Hah

Yeah finally a blue car to match my footy team. Been a long time coming!

 

[s and b]

pulls 40 amps on full lock if held there according to mes when i last looked a few years ago
check battery terminals with emery cloth
double check power lead from alternator to starter to battery for high resistence
cd players in these are useless at this age
replace with a flash drive unit including fm radio from ebay at £13 cracking units
road tax on these stops me being interested ,shame really

 

[sHAYM4N]

pulls 40 amps on full lock if held there according to mes when i last looked a few years ago
check battery terminals with emery cloth
double check power lead from alternator to starter to battery for high resistence
cd players in these are useless at this age
replace with a flash drive unit including fm radio from ebay at £13 cracking units
road tax on these stops me being interested ,shame really

Cheers yeah will give the battery a charge at the weekend and clean the terminals. CD Player was planning on sticking with it really. Actually just gave a headunit away to a mate (mostly just listen to the radio anyway) but after market ones wont work with the steering controls will they?

Definitely agree on the roadtax, but I work from home, so only really fill the tank once a month, main way I could justify it anyway!

 

[BILL33]

If I get 41k+ per tyre I hope so! Hah, doubt it - cant remember whats on it, but they've got a bit of tread left yet.

Brilliant thanks for that, battery maybe a little low - I dont do much mileage myself, and noticed the passenger window struggles sometimes, so will give it a charge (hoping its not the motor anyway) presume I can give the air intake a good clean when I do the filter? Any recommendations on filter - garage seemed stumped on even finding one.

Mr Auto comes up with BOLK, Filtron, Mann or BOSCH, Mann still good - or should I be getting something fancier? My last Punto was held together with glue and bluetack, so not used to having actually buy parts! Hah

Yeah finally a blue car to match my footy team. Been a long time coming!

When i got mine ,new back in 2005,it had dunlop tyres (something like sp2000? ) .
Avoid BOLK (car forums say the worst about them),anything else is good. The next more expensive http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/air-filter/filtron-ar234-2_g8_a256AR234~2.html is just fine i think.I got COOPERSFIAAM for mine.