Fiat Bravo Quiz
Engine

Engine fault diagnosis

In this manual: Engine
Dear Reader — 1Engine — 35Engine lubrication — 3Engine cooling — 10Ignition/spark plugs — 14Fuel system — 10Petrol fuel injection — 13Diesel injection system — 13Exhaust system — 7Clutch — 7Transmission / Gearshift / Automatic Transmission — 5Front Axle — 11Rear axle — 4Steering — 9Wheel alignment — 1Brake system — 22Wheels and tyres — 10Body — 34Heating — 6Electrical system — 39Lighting system — 14Instruments — 7Windscreen wiper system — 8Vehicle care / tools — 6Jump Starting / Towing the Vehicle — 3Jacking up the vehicle — 1Fiat Bravo / Brava Maintenance Schedule — 1Maintenance — 38Wiring diagrams — 5
~2min read

If the engine does not start, isolate the fault systematically. For the engine to start at all, two basic requirements must always be met on petrol engines: the fuel-air mixture must reach the cylinders, and the ignition spark must jump across the spark plug electrodes. Therefore, always check first whether fuel is being delivered at all. For the procedure, see the chapters “Fuel system” and “Fuel injection system”.

To check whether an ignition spark is present, unscrew the spark plugs, insert them into the spark plug connectors and hold each one individually against ground. Do not hold the spark plug connector or ignition lead by hand; use a well-insulated pair of pliers.

Have an assistant crank the engine. Caution: to avoid damage to the catalytic converter, no petrol must be injected during this. Therefore, pull off the fuel pump relay. Caution: observe the safety notes for the electronic ignition system.

On diesel engines, check the glow plug system and the fuel system.

Fault: engine starts poorly or not at all
Cause Remedy
Operating error when starting. Petrol engine:

  • Depress the clutch, place the automatic transmission in “P” or “N”.

Turn the ignition key and operate the starter, without accelerating. As soon as the engine runs, release the key. Do not operate the starter for longer than about 20 seconds.

Always drive off immediately; do not let the engine warm up while stationary.

If the engine does not start on the first attempt, for example when it is very cold or hot: wait briefly to allow the spark plugs to dry. Then start the engine with the accelerator pedal half depressed.

Once the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal.

Caution: repeated unsuccessful starting attempts in succession can damage the catalytic converter, as unburned petrol reaches the catalytic converter and can ignite explosively when heated.
Diesel engine:

  • With a cold engine: depress the clutch pedal, set the automatic transmission to "P" or "N". Switch on the glow plug system until the glow plug warning lamp goes out. Start the engine immediately after the warning lamp goes out, without pressing the accelerator. As soon as the engine runs, release the ignition key. At very low temperatures, operate the starter for up to 40 seconds.

Always drive off immediately; do not let the engine warm up while stationary.

  • With a warm engine: if the glow plug warning lamp does not light up, preheating is not required and the engine can be started immediately.

    		•
    Petrol engine: ignition system faulty. Check for spark, check the ignition system.
    Diesel engine: glow plug system faulty. Check the glow plug system.
    Fuel system faulty or contaminated. Check the fuel pump, lines and filter.
    Starter turns too slowly. Charge the battery. Check the starter circuit.
    Compression pressure too low. Adjust the valve clearance (diesel engine). Replace the cylinder head gasket or overhaul the engine.

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