My punto wouldn't start recently, I thought it may be the battery (which is getting on). So I have charged it quite a few times and the car still won't start.

Have checked with multi-meter and standing the battery is 12.5V and when trying to turn over it drops to 10V so still within reasonable values.

I don't have an immobiliser and certainly no keypad to enter a code but the 'code' light is staying lit on my dashboard. This has come on and off at random intervals whilst i've had the car, but recently it has been staying on longer and sometimes whole journeys. I'm not sure if this is somehow stopping the engine starting.

I have seen online people talking about red master keys. Well I have 2 smaller blue keys and a larger reddish-brown key. have tried this in ignition and same issue remains.

any help greatly appreciated!

Dan C., March 2011

i had a S reg fiat marea td 100 a few years ago and the same thing happened, the key code light would illuminate on the dash. contacted fiat and they wanted £800 to fix it so told them to go to hell (stay away you have been warned). out of curiosity i pressed the FUEL RESET button (under passenger seat on the marea, check your drivers manual for where its located) and hey presto the dash light went out and the engine fired up and ran as normal i never had the problem again. Good luck.

Firestarter, March 2011