Engine starts with difficulty
- Make
- Fiat
- Model
- 500 Factory Service Manual
- Year
- 2007–2024
- Section
- Starting › Engine starts with difficulty
ENGINE STARTS WITH DIFFICULTY
The engine starts with difficulty and only after repeated attempts. When the key is turned the instruments light up as normal, the starter motor turns, but the engine is difficult to start.
| Test results | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First, check:
| Move on to Step 1 | 1. Obstruction in the air intake circuit 2. Air intake via the intake manifold/throttle body seal 3. Exhaust pipe blocked | 1. Eliminate the problem, if necessary, replace the filter element Op. 1048A14 AIR CLEANER FILTER ELEMENT - REPLACE. 2. Restore the correct seal. 3. Restore the operation of the exhaust pipe. | |
| 1 | CHECK USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket and check:
| End of diagnosis | 1. Error detected in the control unit 2. Parameter not consistent | 1. Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment 2. Continue following the instructions on the diagnostic equipment | |
| 2 | FUEL PRESSURE CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check the fuel supply pressure | Move on to Step 3 | 1. Fuel pressure too low: pipes obstructed 2. Fuel pressure too low: pump defective | 1. Eliminate the constrictions 2. Replace the pump assembly Op. 1040A70 SUBMERGED PUMP ASSEMBLY COMPLETE WITH LEVEL GAUGE CONTROL - R + R | |
| 3 | IGNITION SYSTEM CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Inspect the spark plugs and check their operation Check for any defects in the spark plug high tension leads Check the operation of the ignition coil by carrying out | Move on to Step 4 | 1. Spark plug defective 2. High voltage cable connection leaking 3. High voltage cable connection slack 4. Ignition coil defective. | 1. Replace spark plug 2. Replace HV cable 3. Tighten HV cable correctly 4. Replace ignition coil | |
| 4 | INJECTOR CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Using the Examiner in active diagnosis, check that the injectors are working properly Check that the injector needle seal is correct by carrying out the See Test | Move on to Step 5 | 1. Injector stuck/incorrectly adjusted 2. Connections not correct 3. Injector seal not intact | 1. Replace the injector Op. 1056B70 INJECTOR (ONE) - R + R WITH FUEL MANIFOLD PIPE REMOVED - INCLUDES SEAL REPLACEMNT 2. Restore the correct connections See E5030 PETROL ENGINES ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT 3. Change the injectors Op. 1056B70 INJECTOR (ONE) - R + R WITH FUEL MANIFOLD PIPE REMOVED - INCLUDES SEAL REPLACEMNT | |
| 5 | ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check that the sensor operates correctly by carrying out See Test 1056BC ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR OPERATION CHECK | Move on to Step 6 | 1. Temperature sensor defective 2. Connections not correct | 1. Replace the sensor Op. 1056B50 ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR - R + R 2. Restore the correct connections | |
| 6 | ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Check that the accelerator pedal is working correctly | Move on to Step 7 | 1. Accelerator pedal potentiometer defective. 2. Connections not correct. | 1. Replace the accelerator pedal Op. 1068A14 ACCELERATOR PEDAL - R + R 2. Restore the correct connections | |
| 7 | MOTORIZED THROTTLE CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check that the motorized throttle is working properly by carrying out the | Move on to Step 8 | 1. Motorized throttle defective 2. Connections not correct. | 1. Replace the motorized throttle Op. 1056B14 THROTTLE CASE - R + R 2. Restore the correct connections | |
| 8 | TIMING CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Check that the timing system timing is correct | Move on to Step 9 | Timing system timing not correct | Restore the correct timing. | |
| 9 | CYLINDER COMPRESSION CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Carry out the cylinder compression check | Move on to Step 11 | Cylinder compression insufficient | Move on to Step 10 | |
| 10 | CHECK ON CAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT COMPRESSION | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
R & R head to check valve seal Check condition of cylinders/piston rings | Move on to Step 11 | 1. Valve seal insufficient 2. Cylinders/piston rings worn | 1. Overhaul the head Op. 1016E10 SINGLE CYLINDER HEAD, REMOVED - OVERHAUL 2. Restore the correct seal. | |
| 11 | ENGINE CONTROL UNIT CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Check that the engine control unit is working properly | End of diagnosis | Engine management control unit defective. | Replace the engine management control unit | |
The engine, particularly when cold, starts with difficulty and only after repeated attempts. When the key is turned the instruments light up as normal, the starter motor turns, but the engine is difficult to start.
| Test results | ||||
| 0 | PRELIMINARY CHECKS | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Check:
| Move on to Step 1 | 1. Oil level incorrect 2. Fault in the air intake circuit 3. Leaks from the diesel pipes 4. Filter blocked 5. Water, petrol, paraffin or dirt found to be present 6. Battery earth lead slack/oxidized | 1. Restore the correct engine oil level Op. 0010T11 ENGINE OIL - CHECK LEVEL AND TOP UP, IF NECESSARY 2. Renew the air intake circuit 3. Adjust pipe tightness to correct setting and replace if necessary 4. Replace the diesel filter cartridge Op. 1044B10 FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY - R + R OR REPLACE 5. Clean the tank and pipes and replace the diesel filter cartridge Op. 1044B10 FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY - R + R OR REPLACE 6. Restore the battery earth lead connection | |
| 1 | CHECK USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Connect the Examiner diagnostic equipment to the diagnostic connector and check the following at the engine management control unit. Check the value of the following parameters:
| Move on to Step 2 | 1. Battery voltage low 2. The pressure measured does not correspond to the target figure 3. Heater plugs circuit faulty | 1. Recharge and, if necessary, replace the battery 2. Move on to Step 3 3. Move on to Step 2 | |
| 2 | PREHEATING SYSTEM CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Carry out the active diagnosis for the diesel preheating relay, checking that the result is positive. Check that the heater plugs and the preheating system are working properly, by carrying out the See Test | Move on to Step 3 | 1. Preheating wiring faulty 2. Preheating control unit defective 3. Heater plugs faulty | 1. Restore wiring See E5050 DIESEL ENGINES ELECTRONIC MANAGEMENT 2. Replace preheating control unit Op. 5520C20 HEATER PLUGS CONTROL UNIT - R.R 3. Replace defective heater plugs | |
| 3 | HIGH PRESSURE CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Connect the diagnostic equipment (Examiner or other instruments) to the diagnostic socket. Check that the diesel pressure parameter is correct by carrying out the | Move on to Step 12 | Pressure not correct | Move on to Step 4 | |
| 4 | LOW RETURN PRESSURE CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check that the pressure in the return pipe to the tank is correct by carrying out the | Move on to Step 5 | Pressure above the maximum limit: return pipe to the tank obstructed | Repair the pipe and replace if necessary | |
| 5 | LOW SUPPLY PRESSURE CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check that the diesel pressure between the filter and the low pressure pump is correct by carrying out the | Move on to Step 11 | Pressure below the minimum limit or above the maximum limit | Move on to Step 6 | |
| 6 | LOW SUPPLY PRESSURE CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check that the difference in pressure upstream and downstream of the filter is less than 1 bar by carrying out the See Test | Move on to Step 7 | Difference in pressure more than 1 bar | Replace the diesel filter cartridge | |
| 7 | LOW SUPPLY PRESSURE CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Measure the difference in pressure between the electric pump outlet and the filter inlet and check that it is more than 0.5 bar | Move on to Step 8 | Difference in pressure more than 0.5 bar | Replace the pipe | |
| 8 | ELECTRIC PUMP CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Check that the pump supply voltage is correct. Check that the pump absorption current is correct by carrying out the See Test 1040AA SUPPLY VOLTAGE AND ABSORPTION CURRENT CHECKS | Move on to Step 9 | Current greater than 10 Amps: pump defective | Replace the fuel pump assembly Op. 1040A70 SUBMERGED PUMP ASSEMBLY COMPLETE WITH LEVEL GAUGE CONTROL - R + R | |
| 9 | CORRECT OPERATION CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Replace the high pressure pump Op. 1060E10 DIESEL INJECTION PRESSURE PUMP - R.R. and check that the fault is no longer present. | End of diagnosis | The fault persists | Move on to Step 12 | |
| 10 | CYLINDER COMPRESSION CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
Carry out the cylinder compression check Op. 0520G15 | Move on to Step 12 | Cylinder compression insufficient | Move on to Step 11 | |
| 11 | CHECK ON CAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT COMPRESSION | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
R/R head for valve leakage test Check condition of cylinders/piston rings | Move on to Step 12 | 1. Valve seal insufficient 2. Cylinders/piston rings worn | 1. Overhaul the head 2. Restore the correct seal. | |
| 12 | CORRECT OPERATION CHECK | All OK | Problems encountered | Operation |
| Check that the fault is no longer present | End of diagnosis | The fault persists | Replace the engine management control unit | |
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