Fix it again . . . Tony.

**smark** · 02-08-2012, 07:40 PM

When I we were looking at the 500 back in August. There were a couple cars on the dealers lot, that would crank, but no start. There was 1/4 tank of gas in them too!

I bought one that started!

**Hilldweller** · 02-09-2012, 05:35 AM

These cars are very oil pressure dependent for the valve actuation.
I went down a REALLY STEEP hill a couple of weeks ago and I got a beep and a message: "pull over immediately and shut off car" (or something).
I looked for a safe place and then the message disappeared.
The tech at Landmark FIAT (cool dealership in Atlanta, unlike Team FIAT in Buford...) said it was the oil sensor; he thinks the extreme angle made the car think I lost all the oil.

I'd believe that low oil pressure could cause a no-start situation. There might be a reflash fix coming if this is the case. Like the delay in a diesel starting sequence for the glowplugs to warm up.

**lorvar** · 02-09-2012, 06:56 AM

This better not be like my 1.8t engine with the faulty oil pickup. Regardless, Audi had to replace the whole engine and turbo at 98,000km. They chose not to do a recall but rather handle it on a car by car basis and you had to have every oil change documented.

**NHFiat500** · 02-09-2012, 08:07 AM

The color is espresso? Looks darker in the pic. Sorry to hear you had to be towed. I'm sure after this you will have no problems. I'm almost at 9k with only cosmetic issues all resolved quick and easy... however my tech was named mike not tony... just had to add that lol.

**Hilldweller** · 02-09-2012, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by lorvar

This better not be like my 1.8t engine with the faulty oil pickup. Regardless, Audi had to replace the whole engine and turbo at 98,000km. They chose not to do a recall but rather handle it on a car by car basis and you had to have every oil change documented.

Not similar.

This sounds like a safety lockout.

Diagnostically related, I'd like to know the ambient temperature that the cars were in during every no-start situation. And if the techs duplicated that temperature or if they had the cars indoors, warm, etc. Cold oil viscosity, angle of the car, oil level --- all factors.

**lorvar** · 02-09-2012, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Hilldweller

Not similar.

This sounds like a safety lockout.

Diagnostically related, I'd like to know the ambient temperature that the cars were in during every no-start situation. And if the techs duplicated that temperature or if they had the cars indoors, warm, etc. Cold oil viscosity, angle of the car, oil level --- all factors.

Unforrunately I got the sales person to park it inside last night after service was closed, so I don't know if the issue showed up or not.

**lorvar** · 02-09-2012, 08:59 AM

Just called the dealer and they said no starting issue. I told them to park it outside for the day and try again tonight when I pick it up. I hate to say it, but I regret my purchase already. We don't have lemon laws, we have arbitrations set up between the manufacturer and the owner. I went through this with Hyundai 15 years ago over a faulty gear and won. Whole new tranny put in.

**FiatCares** · 02-09-2012, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by lorvar

Just called the dealer and they said no starting issue. I told them to park it outside for the day and try again tonight when I pick it up. I hate to say it, but I regret my purchase already. We don't have lemon laws, we have arbitrations set up between the manufacturer and the owner. I went through this with Hyundai 15 years ago over a faulty gear and won. Whole new tranny put in.

lorvar:

I am sorry to hear of your overall dissatifaction. Unfortunately, intermittent problems are a pain to diagnose because the studio has to be able to replicate the issue in order to repair the concern per the terms of the manufactures warranty. Please keep my update throughout this ordeal.

**FiatCares** · 02-09-2012, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by smark

When I we were looking at the 500 back in August. There were a couple cars on the dealers lot, that would crank, but no start. There was 1/4 tank of gas in them too!

I bought one that started!

Smark:

Good move..

**Hilldweller** · 02-10-2012, 05:35 AM

Any time that you're chasing an elusive electrical gremlin, try to recreate the offending condition(s) exactly. You never know what caused it.
In the case of electrical problems, the difference in one degree ambient can mean the difference in the size of a metallic connector making contact or not. Cold metal shrinky; hot metal get biggy.