Fiat Linea 1.4 FIRE Emotion Pack

Yes. Already asked TASC to check it. Latest feedback is SA will let me know about battery in sometime and he says there is a current leakage somewhere and they need to keep my car for a couple of days. Why Wasan Motors like my Linea so much?

 

Lots of update on my Linea in last 3 days. My woes continue

Mentioned in sequence.

Sent the car to Wasan Motors Kandivali on 19th Dec’12 for following 2 issues:

• “Khad, khad, khad” noise on uneven road:

I got GC kit upgraded from Wasan in May/Jun’12 and 1 month after that similar noise started which became very loud after few days. That time Wasan did it by tightening fittings and straightening Stone Guard. This time, SA called on 19th evening to declare that many parts need to be changed – Link Rods, Lower Arms, C Mounting, Brake Pads & Brake Discs. The estimate? 15K only! I was at my wits’ end. Just 10 days back I got it checked at TCRS and TCRS said that all parts are ok including Link Rods. TCRS doubted Elastic Pads. Wasan came up with completely different list.

Next day morning when I went to Wasan, SA shown me that there are minor cracks on Lower Arm (some rubber part on lower arm nearer to wheel) and C Mounting. It was difficult to gauge whether they are cracks as mobile flash light was to be used to see it.

I blasted at them saying I’ve already gone thro’ 40 instances of parts change in my Linea and asked them not to change anything. However, since cracks are mentioned, from safety point of view I’ll need to get it checked thro’ TCRS/ Fiat.

As I expected, without parts change, and just after refitting, the noise has almost gone, It’s now barely heard only sometimes. But I’ve a feeling that it will increase.

• Starting Problem:

The car refused to start on 18th morning. After several tries and push start, it starts and on the way to office, it got turned off automatically on the road while in motion. Though another cranking made it start immediately. While in office parking, I asked my driver to start it every hour to check. It started every time except 2 times.

Next day i.e. on 19th morning again car refused to start. Again push start started it. Turned it off. And again it won’t start. On MID all kinds of error messages were flashing Airbag failure etc (which are battery related) but one important message was Check Engine error and light. It was coming on and off intermittently. Sometimes the car won’t start on cranking, sometimes it would start but immediately shut off. Finally, it got started and the check Engine error vanished. The car was sent to Wasan. I asked them to first check AC Relay Fuse, All electricals and sensors. Usual dilly dallying prevailed and by evening Wasan had no clue as to what is the issue. It only said that they did not found any issue with AC Relay Fuse and other items, Battery was also found ok, it said that there is some current leakage somewhere which needs to be found out. I was not convinced. I spoke to a friend (on TFI). On his advice, I called and asked Wasan that if they are saying battery is ok, tell me the battery volts – alternator charging volts/ idling volts, volts with AC & Headlight load and volts at engine off . They did not have it ready

At evening 7.30 pm, Technician called and informed me all the above volts readings which suggested battery was ok. He said he will keep car overnight and see in the morning while first time cranking. I decided to reach there & went there early morning (y’day) before that technician comes. I accompanied him when he pulled out my car key from their locker and I observed the first cranking. The car started without any trouble. He and then later the Works Manager said that they cleaned some carbon which was there on a copper washer on starter bush. While I was there, I got my windshield polished to lighten few scratches. Left there at about 11 am for office. No issues in the evening while starting the car.

The bill was Rs. 2061/- (800 for Glass polish and 850 for labour to check wiring and electricals + I changed Seat Height adjustment plastic cap/lever)

Today morning, the horror continues. The car now is completely silent. The battery looked to be completely died. All methods failed even push-start failed. Called RSA to jump start the car. I had to leave for office as I’ve taken more leaves for Linea than whatever Sick Leaves/ Casual Leaves I’ve taken

I left by cab like previous day and left driver with car. RSA came. 2 efforts of jump start failed. In 3rd attempt, it started. Asked driver to take it to Wasan. Meanwhile I had spoken to Wasan and requested them to do it on priority. At 11.30 am SA called and said they have replaced AC relay fuse and the car is ok now I said what? – I asked that was the first thing to check and I was told it was done earlier. He says if there is now a problem, it’ll be a battery issue and I’ll have to check with Battery vendor. I said you check and give me the verdict if it is a battery issue. He says they don’t have a spare battery and I blasted on him. I spoke to Works Manager who also said that there is no issue found with the car and now it should run ok. I was skeptical, hence asked driver to wait there till 3 pm and asked him not to crank the starter for 3 hours.

At 3 pm I called driver and asked him to crank. 1st attempt, the car got started and immediately got shut off automatically. 2nd attempt, the car started and remain on. I spoke to Works Manager and asked him do you still say that the car does not have problem and if problem resurface again it’s a battery problem (Also told him that I spoke the battery vendor and he is ready to check battery immediately). Works Manager said we’ll have to try and only then we’ll come to know. According to him the battery was completely drained in the morning and was low on volts. Driving 33 kms to my office will charge it and there won’t be a problem.

So, where do I stand today?

Noise problem and parts replacement problem not solved.

Starting issue – I’m not sure that it won’t happen tomorrow again.

Thinking of going to Battery vendor today only, ask him to check battery and if possible give me replacement battery. If car does not start with replacement battery, the issue is with car. If car starts with replacement battery tomorrow morning, there is no issue with car – in that case, I’ll have to check my battery if car starts day after morning with my battery.

 

Dont get battery today. Since they have changed your relay let it be like that for the whole night. If tomm again the car doesnt start then you change the battery and check.

 

Vijay - good website, but i am not able to see car model wise parts here. Also all parts say coming soon! do you have any experience with these guys? thanks for finding the site

 

I know Rajendran and hhis team (Michael and others). He keeps on calling me time to time to bring the car to R S Motors. I've not yet gone there as would prefer to get the car repaired by Fiat/Tata ASCs inside Extended Warranty. Beyond Extended Warranty, I think its worth a try as the team is really good and its originally a Fiat team from a Anuroop which was a dedicated Fiat ASC long back (Palio days)

Shahjahan - I'll have to wait for 1-2 days as I'm yet not sure whether the problem is sorted out or not and where did the problem lie.