Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: beemerdevil on 21 November 2009, 06:49:23

Title: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: beemerdevil on 21 November 2009, 06:49:23
Hi guys  :) my wife has a Fiat Punto and it has a couple of faults - 1- a red warning light keeps flashing everyday after around10 miles; it says in handbook that it is 'automatic transmission fault'- the car drives normally tho  :o :o  and the ATF is spot on.  (2 - when driving along and you take foot off acc pedal, the speedo drops to '0'and/or 'flickers' from whatever speed you are doing to '0'.  Is it cable speedo or electronic and could the two be linked ??
Now I know its not my mig, but I thought someone may be able to throw some light on these faults  cos you are clever and knowledgable guys (and helpful) - i did ask on a Fiat forum but not one reply >:( >:( not near as friendly as us oofers - as its not a mig, i will understand if no one replies  :( :(
TIA anyway  :y :y :y
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Auto Addict on 21 November 2009, 06:52:21
[movedhere] Omega General Help [move by] Auto Addict.
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: tunnie on 21 November 2009, 08:37:06
yeah, don't buy one  ;D

I bet if you posted how to upgrade your sub and fit some body kits you would be swamped with replies.  ::)

Sounds similar to ABS ECU fault on the Omega, can you get a code reader for it?

Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Welung666 on 21 November 2009, 08:44:39
Provided it's post 2001 then any generic code reader (Sealey, Snap On etc.) should be able to read the codes :y
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: feeutfo on 21 November 2009, 09:35:48
snap on needed a "fiat key" when reading my sisters punto, basickly a chip to add fiat specific software for their cars. It does not come with the basic package from snap on, so may not be able to read if the snap on owner didnt buy the key as an extra. Although as Lee says it is capable depending on year. Snap only reads obd2 4digit codes.

It will need code reading. Is it possible the 2 faults are linked? Autos have a speed sensor as a rule (do they not?) and if that plays up the light will come on. If the speedo is taking a reading from it, "might" be related, might not. Most cars take the speed via abs as tunnie suggests.  But only the codes will tell.

Second paragraph is not direct experience as sitsers car was a manual. Hth somehow.

Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: pscocoa on 21 November 2009, 10:31:39
There is Fiat forum - http://www.fiatforum.com   which I have used for my in-laws Panda.
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 21 November 2009, 11:04:46
Puntos and head gaskets......shudder!
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: tunnie on 21 November 2009, 11:08:27
Quote
Puntos and head gaskets......shudder!

Mate has 1.2 version, its got loads of room in the engine bay like a 2.2. It gets tones of abuse, he complained he could not check the oil, on investigation, it had no oil in it   :o

How it keeps going is beyond me!
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: feeutfo on 21 November 2009, 11:29:05
Quote
Puntos and head gaskets......shudder!
Why is that Mark?

Think i changed the coolent on it.
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Welung666 on 21 November 2009, 11:36:05
Of course we all know the best thing for any fiats don't we?......




(http://c0378172.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/2010-buell-blast-crushed.jpg)

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 21 November 2009, 11:39:00
Quote
Quote
Puntos and head gaskets......shudder!
Why is that Mark?

Think i changed the coolent on it.

They are on a par with K series head gaskets!
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: autov6 on 21 November 2009, 11:47:24
fiat = fix it agian tomorrow  :y

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: feeutfo on 21 November 2009, 11:48:43
Quote
Quote
Quote
Puntos and head gaskets......shudder!
Why is that Mark?

Think i changed the coolent on it.

They are on a par with K series head gaskets!
Ah, so not pain to do, as far as head gaskets go, but a poor design?
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Markjay on 21 November 2009, 13:15:01
Before you go knocking off Fiat... when you are next in Italy, you will see that half the nation drives them, from 30-years old 500s, through 20 years old Pandas, and up to more recent model Typo/Punto/Brava what have you. Then next 25% are Alfa's and Lancias, which again are Fiats in disguise.  8-)

And they are all moving! So in spite of what me might think of them, Fiat must have gotten something right to keep the Italians mobile for the past Century.  :y



And no, I wouldn't buy one myself.... :-X
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Markjay on 21 November 2009, 13:18:17
Quote
Before you go knocking off Fiat... when you are next in Italy, you will see that half the nation drives them, from 30-years old 500s, through 20 years old Pandas, and up to more recent model Typo/Punto/Brava what have you. Then next 25% are Alfa's and Lancias, which again are Fiats in disguise.  8-)

And they are all moving! So in spite of what me might think of them, Fiat must have gotten something right to keep the Italians mobile for the past Century.  :y



And no, I wouldn't buy one myself.... :-X


In comparison, how many Marinas and Montegos do you see on UK roads these days used as everyday transport.....?
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: tunnie on 21 November 2009, 13:18:18
Quote
Before you go knocking off Fiat... when you are next in Italy, you will see that half the nation drives them, from 30-years old 500s, through 20 years old Pandas, and up to more recent model Typo/Punto/Brava what have you. Then next 25% are Alfa's and Lancias, which again are Fiats in disguise.  8-)

And they are all moving! So in spite of what me might think of them, Fiat must have gotten something right to keep the Italians mobile for the past Century.  :y



And no, I wouldn't buy one myself.... :-X

Somethings just work in Italy  ::)

When i was there, a bloke in an Armani suit, with no helmet blasting down the lanes looked cool, and he fitted in well.

If i saw that in London, i would think what a 'idiot'  ;D

They must be cheaper there to buy them? Like American cars are dirt cheap in the US
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: sparten on 21 November 2009, 13:58:01
well we should'nt knock fiats,i've had them for over 25 years no problems really to note yes they do break down but no different to any other car,i buy a omega expecting the same ,wrong it broke a week later and now i have to chuck a small fortune at it,just luck i suppose or lack of if it was me i would get the punto to a fiat dealer for a diagnostic it will cost 55 quid i think but will tell you exactly whats gone ,i must admit fiat auto's are not the best to many senser's
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 21 November 2009, 14:37:06
Quote
Quote
Before you go knocking off Fiat... when you are next in Italy, you will see that half the nation drives them, from 30-years old 500s, through 20 years old Pandas, and up to more recent model Typo/Punto/Brava what have you. Then next 25% are Alfa's and Lancias, which again are Fiats in disguise.  8-)

And they are all moving! So in spite of what me might think of them, Fiat must have gotten something right to keep the Italians mobile for the past Century.  :y



And no, I wouldn't buy one myself.... :-X


In comparison, how many Marinas and Montegos do you see on UK roads these days used as everyday transport.....?


Rust is the killer in the UK

Some 70s and 80s cars are VERY reliable mechanically, I used to do 15,000 a year in an 18 year old car
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Markjay on 21 November 2009, 14:56:03
Just adding to the Fiat global picture....

Hundred of thousands (if not millions) of East-European motorists drove around for decades in re-badged 124s and 125s made under license in East Europe.

Same goes for Spanish drives, they were all driving CEAT-badged Fiats for decades, until VAG bought them in the eighties.

Before Toyota and Nissan became the de-facto transport of most of the poor countries in the third world, it was old Fiats (and Peugeot - 403/404/504...) that kept the less-well-off going, sometimes in very hot desert climate and impossible terrain (been there, seen them).

Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: mrcnc53 on 21 November 2009, 18:34:22
Check out Fiat Racing.com to find out what to do
with you Fiat.  I've been using Omegas to tow one
for years  :y
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: beemerdevil on 21 November 2009, 20:38:37
hmmm  - well...... mixed response as i expected...the sensible educated ones, and then the normal 'numnut' ones  ;D ;D have got something from it anyway - thank you  ;) :y :y
ps......anyone wanna buy an omega ?????
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: albitz on 21 November 2009, 21:12:50
I used to assume they were crap cars,but a friend of mine has one.It hadnt had the oil/filter/air filter changed for over 5 years,gets used to cart all sorts of heavy items around etc, and never breaks down.I have done 2 oil/filter changes on it in the last 6 months and am now hoping to do the cambelt for him.Its done 115,00 miles and the belt has never been changed. ::)
I had a look in the coolant bottle a few weeks ago and it seemed to have a fair bit of brown gunge stuck around the sides,so it may be a head gasket change as well as a cambelt. :(
I have never seen a car be so neglected and abused and keep running,an Omega certainly wouldnt. ;)
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: feeutfo on 21 November 2009, 22:52:12
Quote
Check out Fiat Racing.com to find out what to do
with you Fiat.  I've been using Omegas to tow one
for years  :y
Towing a broken.......no too obvious. :-)
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: beemerdevil on 22 November 2009, 07:49:27
Thanks for all your comments and ideas.......i will pursue getting it code read and take it from there - cheers guys  :y :y :y
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: waspy on 22 November 2009, 10:01:40
There's good & bad in all cars. I've had my Omega two years & not had one thing go wrong :) :) :) :)
My ex's MKI Punto on the other hand had countless gasket failiers, but had no other problems & sailed through six MOT's :o She has the MKII now which don't have the gasket problems.
I think it's down to how well they're looked after either by yourself or the previous owner.
Liz's 106 on the other hand allways has something wrong with it >:( & it's only done 60,000 :o
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2009, 10:41:00
Quote
Before you go knocking off Fiat... when you are next in Italy, you will see that half the nation drives them, from 30-years old 500s, through 20 years old Pandas, and up to more recent model Typo/Punto/Brava what have you. Then next 25% are Alfa's and Lancias, which again are Fiats in disguise.  8-)

And they are all moving! So in spite of what me might think of them, Fiat must have gotten something right to keep the Italians mobile for the past Century.  :y



And no, I wouldn't buy one myself.... :-X
Kind of related....

When I was in Spain in the summer, the number of old cars such as Ford Sierras, Maestros, original Chavaliers etc, all in immaculate condition, was shocking.  We were near the sea as well.

Why is it UK cars are rubbish? Is it Brits are too lazy to wash/wax/polish? Do we get inferior products? Is it purely down to road salt in winter?

 :-/
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2009, 10:45:17
I had a Punto diesel in spain.  Great little car, really frugal on fuel (never put any fuel in, and did several hundred miles), but wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding.  Be a good little 2nd car, as cheaper than fiesta, and still better than corsa. Wouldn't want one myself mind....
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2009, 10:51:29
My mum had a Fiat 850 sport coupe, which she bought when we lived in Cyprus. Drove back to UK when we moved back.  That thing did some miles, and went like the clappers (having seen it in a race against one brother's 1.3 Chavalier, and another brother's Mk1 Golf GTi, and emarrassing both of them except on top end ::)), and handled like it was on rails.  Rust killed it after about 15/16 years (it went to my sister when she went to uni, and she never looked after it) :(
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 November 2009, 13:11:03
Quote
Why is it UK cars are rubbish? Is it Brits are too lazy to wash/wax/polish? Do we get inferior products? Is it purely down to road salt in winter?

 :-/

I reckon it's down to the cost of labour versus the affordability of a "new" car.

Every little village in italy / spain seems to have an "old school" garage run by an old fart who probably charges next to nothing and has more experience than every UK VX technician put together, so keeping an old car running is probably cheap.

Meanwhile the cost of a new car is out of most people's reach. They don't have half their workforce considering themselves so important that their company has to supply them with a new FOC BMW every 3 years so the huge turnover in company cars feeding the next level "nearly new" market isn't there either.

There's more incentive to keep older cars going. They certainly don't seem to lavish too much care on them, IME. ;D

Kevin
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 22 November 2009, 14:09:49
You want to see the state of the cars in Italy.....absolute rotted out sheds some of them with half the electrics not working!

In many europeon countries they would never get a 12 month ticket.
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: waspy on 22 November 2009, 14:15:18
Quote
Quote
Why is it UK cars are rubbish? Is it Brits are too lazy to wash/wax/polish? Do we get inferior products? Is it purely down to road salt in winter?

 :-/

I reckon it's down to the cost of labour versus the affordability of a "new" car.

Every little village in italy / spain seems to have an "old school" garage run by an old Flatulence who probably charges next to nothing and has more experience than every UK VX technician put together, so keeping an old car running is probably cheap.

Meanwhile the cost of a new car is out of most people's reach. They don't have half their workforce considering themselves so important that their company has to supply them with a new FOC BMW every 3 years so the huge turnover in company cars feeding the next level "nearly new" market isn't there either.

There's more incentive to keep older cars going. They certainly don't seem to lavish too much care on them, IME. ;D

Kevin


Agreed Kevin. Some of the problem over here is keeping up with the Jone's too. In france they'll ride around in an old banger for years & not care.
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: TheBoy on 22 November 2009, 19:04:17
Quote
You want to see the state of the cars in Italy.....absolute rotted out sheds some of them with half the electrics not working!

In many europeon countries they would never get a 12 month ticket.
Thats just italian (and french!) cars in general - even when new....
Title: Re: anyone know anything about Puntos ?
Post by: neilr on 23 November 2009, 16:14:17
dont know how old your is but ma-in-laws 2001 y plate uses cheapo obd 11 scanner from ebay. yes its auto and her 2nd punto air bag light just come on must get a tool for this now. this might get you out of trouble.