Dodgy running in the rain

dl763 · 7 Jul 2009 at 17:00

Hi all,

Hope you can help me with a bit of advice!

I have an 03 Punto (dont laugh) 1.2 petrol that doesnt accelerate very well when it's been/is raining until the engine gets up to normal temp. The revs increase but the power doesnt come until a few seconds later. If I push it too hard the engine light comes on.

When it's dry or up to temperature its fine and theres no problem.

Any ideas?

TIA

Janesy B · 7 Jul 2009 at 17:03

Water leaking on the electrics probably.

loltim · 7 Jul 2009 at 17:13

Why are you pushing it hard when it's not up to temp?

dl763 · 7 Jul 2009 at 17:16

I'm not, I'm just getting up to speed, it can happen at around 20mph up to 60mph, I change gears around 2500-3000rpm.

GeX · 7 Jul 2009 at 18:35

it's misfiring when cold?

could be many things, if it were me then i'd get it plugged into an OBD reader and get the fault codes from the ECU read. If the light is coming on then it is logging the fault.

Peerzy · 7 Jul 2009 at 18:38

I think as it's newer than a 2001 car you can get a reader off of eBay and either do it yourself. You could also join a Punto (PuntoMk2) forum and quite a few people on there have readers.

Just means you shouldn't have to pay main dealer prices.

I also think the engine management light should stay on if it's stored a fault, could be wrong through. Sure it's not another light?

GeX · 7 Jul 2009 at 18:49

the light doesnt have to stay on, but it'll still log the code

dl763 · 7 Jul 2009 at 19:27

Yup it's a flashing orange/yellow engine light that goes out when I back off on the gas.

I will look into your suggestions, thanks guys!

Matt82 · 7 Jul 2009 at 19:34

traction control

Peerzy · 7 Jul 2009 at 19:41

Matt82 said:
traction control

From the 59bhpowahs?

Matt82 · 7 Jul 2009 at 19:44

push it hard and the light comes on, goes off when you back off
comes on in the wet

defo bro

GeX · 7 Jul 2009 at 19:48

once engine is warm, it is heat soaked and there isn't enough power to brake traction. SIMPLES!

BigglesPiP · 7 Jul 2009 at 19:52

So the injection light? Or the code light?

I'd have it plugged in to an examiner to see what it thinks is giving trouble.

Skalaberg · 7 Jul 2009 at 23:04

its a fiat..this is perfectly normal behaviour for one. you just need to accept it and carry on.

BigglesPiP · 8 Jul 2009 at 00:16

Skalaberg said:
its a fiat..this is perfectly normal behaviour for one. you just need to accept it and carry on.

Or you fix it before you do more serious damage...

iaind · 8 Jul 2009 at 08:10

I dont know what the punto's like but any car I've owned has had areas under the bonnet, either side of the wipers, below the windscreen. In a lot of cars, the wiring loom passes through the bulkhead here.

My first car (306) had electrical issues because the drain hole got blocked up with leaves and would fill with water in the rain. I know nothing of the Punto so dont know if this is a possibility but worth checking...

Moeks · 8 Jul 2009 at 08:24

BigglesPiP said:
Or you fix it before you do more serious damage...

He'll only have to 'fix it again tomorrow'

Sorry, not helpful I know.

dl763 · 8 Jul 2009 at 08:27

I did say don't laugh in the OP.

I will take a look at it this weekend. It didnt do it today although it had been raining. Would it be worth checking the air filter and intake?

Malt_Vinegar · 8 Jul 2009 at 09:12

Was it just me who was thinking wheelspin for a moment

iaind · 8 Jul 2009 at 09:47

dl763 said:
I did say don't laugh in the OP.

I will take a look at it this weekend. It didnt do it today although it had been raining. Would it be worth checking the air filter and intake?

Doubt it, water in those would cause more than a bit of rough running