My Fiat 500 Twinair Stop Start System Problem

My Fiat 500 Twinair Stop Start System Problem

My much loved little Fiat 500 Twinair has a rather unique quality.  In 2009 Fiat introduced a new system called “Stop Start” on the 500’s.  It is a system that reduces fuel consumption, noise pollution and CO2 emissions.  It is ideal if you are queuing in traffic or at traffic lights etc, in fact any time when you are going to be stationary for a while.  It works when you come to a stop, put the car in neutral and take your foot off the brake fully and the engine will cut out.  You can sit there quite happily with the engine off until you want to move off again and all you do is put your foot on either the brake pedal or clutch and the engine will start automatically.

Now 9 times out of 10 my car works perfectly, but on the odd occasion it has a mind of its own and goes into automatic mode, as it will start the engine all by itself with no pedals needed.  This happened a few times and I told my husband that I have a very clever car that can start the engine all by itself.  Naturally he thought I was bonkers and said that it wasn’t possible and I must have touched a pedal without knowing it.  However he drove it one day, engaged the “Start Stop” and was sitting quite happily when all of a sudden he was startled when the engine suddenly started all on its own.  He then had to apologise to me as quite clearly “Wygly” (my car’s name, yes I know this confirms that I am bonkers, but all cars have to be named, and this name is made up from the registration letters) as he had to agree that it definitely has a unique function and couldn’t quite believe it.

I did actually contact Fiat customer services to ask if there was a problem, or was it just a very clever car?  You can imagine what went through his mind, “is she for real?”  The adviser said that he had not heard this before and to take it to my local Fiat dealer for them to run some tests.   As this would incur a hefty charge, and no doubt when explaining the problem would  think I was perhaps from another planet,  I have decided that I can live with Wygly’s little foible.

Now Fiat 500’s definitely ooze character but apart from the automatic engine start up, Wygly has a couple of other little quirks.  Now being Italian you would think it would like the heat, but oh no, if it is too hot, and it has been standing for a length of time in the sun, the passenger side seat belt decides not to work.  The inertia reel locks up so the passenger cannot belt up, until a lot of fiddling has taken place to get it to release itself, but once it is free all is fine.

Now the other little quirk is something that I cannot quite explain, but when we have gone away for the odd weekend and we take my husband’s car and leave Wygly in the garage.  The house alarm which the garage is also connected to  has gone off on a couple of occasions, with absolutely no explanation at all.  I can only assume that he was protesting at being left home alone!!!!

“Herbie” if you are old enough to remember it with all the magic of cinema here is the “real” thing!!!

If I ever decide to sell it I could write a very unique advert!!!

My Fiat 500 Twinair Stop Start System Problem