Workshop Manuals Factory service & repair Fiat
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Fiat 500 Factory Service Manual (2007-2024)22 · Fault diagnosis
22 · Diagnostics

Engine not running smoothly / (losing power)

Make
Fiat
Model
500 Factory Service Manual
Year
2007–2024
Section
Engine › Engine not running smoothly / (losing power)
Fault diagnosisEngine not running smoothly / (losing power)

ENGINE NOT RUNNING SMOOTHLY / (LOSING POWER)

1.2 8v, 1.4 16v

Momentary lack of response when the accelerator pedal is pressed. Can happen at any speed. Usually it is more obvious when trying to get the vehicle to set off, for example after a stop.

Test results
0PRELIMINARY CHECKSAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Check the following, in order:

  • no leaks in fuel circuit;
  • condition of the air intake circuit;
  • no obstructions in the catalytic converter;
  • no water or impurities in the fuel
Move on to Step 1

1. Fault in the air intake circuit

2. Obstruction in the catalytic converter

3. Water in the fuel

4. Leaks in fuel circuit

1. Renew the air intake circuit

2. Replace the catalytic converter

Op. 1080B62 CATALYTIC CONVERTER - R + R

3. Remove water from the fuel

4. Eliminate leaks.

1CHECK USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENTAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket.

Check:

  • that there are no errors in the control unit;
  • parameter plausibility.
Move on to Step 2

1. Error detected in the control unit

2. Parameters not plausible

1. Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment

2. Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment

2ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation
Using the Examiner, check that the signal reaches 100% when reading the parameters and goes to the end of travel positionMove on to Step 3

1. Accelerator pedal travel incorrect

2. Accelerator pedal potentiometer defective

1. Restore the accelerator pedal travel

2. Replace the accelerator pedal

Op. 1068A14

3CHECK THE OPERATION OF THE MOTORIZED THROTTLEAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Check the condition of the motorized throttle actuator connection

Check the condition of the wiring

Check that the motorized throttle is working properly, carrying out

See Test 1056BW THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR OPERATION CHECK

Move on to Step 4

1. Connection defective

2. Wiring defective

3. Motorized throttle defective

1.Restore the correct connection.

2.Restore the correct wiring.

3.Replace the motorized throttle

Op. 1056B14

4IGNITION SYSTEM CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Inspect the spark plugs, checking:

  • for possible electrode wear;
  • carbon deposits;
  • for any damage to the spark plug insulator;
  • the correct distance between the electrodes
  • the correct AT signal, by carrying out the

See Test 5510OA IGNITION COIL RESISTANCE CHECK

, the

See Test 5510CI IGNITION COIL OPERATION CHECK

and the

See Test 5510CE IGNITION CONTROL SIGNAL CHECK

Move on to Step 5

1. Spark plugs defective

2. Coils defective

1. Replace spark plugs

Op. 5510D10 SPARK PLUGS - R+R

2. Replace coils

Op. 5510C14 IGNITION COIL/S - R.R.

5INJECTOR CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Using the Examiner, check in active diagnosis that all the injectors are working properly. Identify any injector that may be mechanically stuck shut.

Injector wiring check

See E5030 PETROL ENGINES ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT

Check that the injector opening signal is correct by carrying out the

See Test 1056BA INJECTOR OPERATION CHECK

Move on to Step 6Injector defective

Replace the injector

Op. 1056B70 INJECTOR (ONE) - R + R WITH FUEL MANIFOLD PIPE REMOVED - INCLUDES SEAL REPLACEMNT

6ELECTRIC PUMP CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Check that the electric pump is working properly by carrying out the

See Test 1040AB SUBMERGED FUEL PUMP CHECK

Check the correct earth connection

See E5030 PETROL ENGINES ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT

Move on to Step 7

1. Connection to electric pump earth defective

2. Electric pump defective

1. Restore the correct earth connection.

2. Replace the electric pump

Op. 1040A70 SUBMERGED PUMP ASSEMBLY COMPLETE WITH LEVEL GAUGE CONTROL - R + R

7CORRECT OPERATION CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation
Check that the fault is no longer presentEnd of diagnosisThe fault persists

Replace the engine management control unit

Op. 1056B82 INJECTION/IGNITION SYSTEM E.C.U. (ONE) - R + R

1.3 Multijet

Prolonged performance reductions occur under constant load and speed conditions

Test results
0PRELIMINARY CHECKSAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Check the following, in order:

  • condition of the air intake circuit;
  • no obstructions in the catalytic converter;
  • no water or impurities in the diesel fuel
  • diesel filter blocked
Move on to Step 1

1. Fault in the air intake circuit

2. Obstruction in the catalytic converter

3. Water in diesel fuel

4. Diesel filter blocked

1. Renew the air intake circuit

2. Replace the catalytic converter

Op. 1080B62 CATALYTIC CONVERTER - R + R

3. Remove water from diesel fuel

4. Replace the fuel filter

Op. 1044B10 FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY - R + R OR REPLACE

1CHECK USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENTAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket.

Check:

  • that there are no errors in the control unit;
  • parameter plausibility.
Move on to Step 3

1. Error detected in the control unit

2. Parameters not plausible

1. Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment

2. Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment

2DIESEL PRESSURE CHECK ON RAILAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Check the high pressure diesel circuit

Check that the pressurein the rail is not fluctuating with the Examiner connected to the engine management control unit

Check pressure sensor wiring

See E5050 DIESEL ENGINES ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT

Check that the pressure sensor on the rail is working properly by carrying out the

See Test 1060GR FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR ON RAIL OPERATION CHECK

Move on to Step 3

1. Leaks from the high pressure circuit

2. High pressure regulator on the rail defective

3. Rail pressure sensor wiring defective

4. Rail pressure sensor defective

1. Restore high pressure circuit seal

2. Replace the pressure regulator

Op. 1060G31 FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR ON SINGLE MANIFOLD TO INJECTORS - R R

3. Restore correct wiring

4. Replace the pressure sensor

Op. 1060G28 FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR ON FUEL MANIFOLD TO INJECTORS - R.R

3INJECTOR CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Using the Examiner, check in active diagnosis that all the injectors are working properly. Identify any injector that may be mechanically stuck shut by carrying out

See Test

Check for any leaks from the injectors

See Test 1060OC INJECTOR SEAL TEST

Move on to Step 4Poor fuel atomization/poor injection due to defective injectors

Replace the injectors

Op. 1060F10

4EGR VALVE CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Using the Examiner, check in active diganosis that the EGR solenoid valve is working properly by carrying out

See Test 1080CB E.G.R. SOLENOID FUNCTIONAL TEST

Move on to Step 5

1. EGR solenoid defective

2. Wiring between solenoid and engine management control unit interrupted

1. Replace the EGR solenoid

Op. 1080C82 E.G.R. - VALVE HEAT EXCHANGER ASSEMBLY - CONNECTOR PIPES - R.R.

2. Restore the correct wiring

5BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Check that the brake pedal switch is working properly

See E5050 DIESEL ENGINES ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT

Move on to Step 6

1. Brake pedal does not return

2. Switch stuck closed

3. Wiring short-circuited

1. Eliminate the cause of the sticking

2. Replace the brake pedal switch

Op. 5550D10 BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH - R+R

3. Eliminate the cause of the problem

See E5050 DIESEL ENGINES ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT

6ELECTRIC PUMP CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Check that the pump is working properly by carrying out

See Test 1040AA

Move on to Step 7The electric pump is not receiving an electrical power supply because the wiring between the control relay and the pump is defectiveRestore the correct wiring
7CHECK ON CORRECT OPERATION OF FLOW METERAll OKProblems encounteredOperation

Check thta the flow meter is working properly and that the signal is not too high by carrying out

See Test 1060GS FLOW METER OPERATION CHECK

Check the continuity of the wiring between the flow meter and the engine management control unit

Move on to Step 8

1. Flow meter defective with signal too high

2. Wiring defective

1. Replace the flow meter

Op. 1060G10 AIR FLOW METER - R.R.

2. Restore the correct wiring

8CORRECT OPERATION CHECKAll OKProblems encounteredOperation
Check that the fault is no longer presentEnd of diagnosisThe fault persists

Replace the engine management control unit

Op. 1060G80 DIESEL ELECTRONIC INJECTION CONTROL UNIT - R.R

if the previous checks have not given results.

Parts & tools for this job For 2007 Fiat 500

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