Fiat Doblo Common Problems and Solutions
Slow Starting
Problem:
The van takes a long time to start.
Solution:
As with any starting issue, always check that your starter motor is not damaged or worn out first. For the Doblo, a slow start may be caused by a corroded earth wire between the engine and the chassis. This puts strain on your starter motor and could eventually cause it to burn out. Locate the wire, which is near the gearbox and runs directly from the negative terminal on the battery, and order a replacement from us if it has corroded.
Difficulty level
Loud Tapping and Dark Smoke
Problem:
You can hear a loud tapping from the engine when you accelerate, and a dark blue or black smoke is coming from the exhaust.
Solution:
Your large end bearings have become worn or damaged and will need to be replaced. You can order bearings directly from us and have them delivered straight to you.
Difficulty level
Big End Bearings
Complete Electrical Malfunction
Problem:
Not every control and switch is functioning as intended, and your dashboard warning lights may be on.
Solution:
Inspect the area around the air cleaner. It’s quite common for the earthing block to become detached on the Doblo. You can order a replacement if it’s damaged, but you will usually be able to simply reattach the separated part block.
Difficulty level
Bumping Sound From Rear
Problem:
You can hear a bumping noise coming from the back of the van and may also feel severe wandering when turning corners.
Solution:
Inspect the rear bump stops above the rear springs. You’ll usually find they have worn out. Order replacements from us today, and your van will soon be back to normal.
Difficulty level
Sudden Overheating
Problem:
The engine suddenly overheats without any warning of a fault.
Solution:
Your head gasket is damaged. Find a replacement on our parts list and fit it. Quite a big job, but many online guides will walk you through the process.
Difficulty level
Head Gasket Set
Knocking noise from wheels
Problem:
If you hear a knocking noise coming from the wheels, especially when cornering, it is most likely a broken wheel bearing. These are known to break quite quickly on these vehicles.
Solution:
You will need to replace the faulty wheel bearing to resolve the issue.
Difficulty level
Wheel Bearing
Central locking not unlocking rear doors
Problem:
The central locking should activate the rear doors, but this can sometimes fail on the Doblo. The cause of this issue is a plastic component on the remote locking motor breaking. Be cautious when loading heavy items, as this can damage the plastic part on the locking motor, causing the central locking on this door to malfunction.
Solution:
You could have a metal piece fitted, which would be stronger and more durable, but when you load the vehicle in future, you need to ensure that nothing is leaning against the motor. This can break the piece and cause the central locking to stop working on these doors.
Difficulty level
Wandering or bumping noise on cornering
Problem:
It is common for the rear bump stops above the rear springs on these vehicles to fail, which can cause the vehicle to wander when cornering. You may also hear a bumping noise from the rear of the car.
Solution:
You will need to replace the rear bump stops to resolve this issue.
Difficulty level
Starting problems
Problem:
If your vehicle has trouble starting, a common issue with the Fiat Doblo is the failure of the high-pressure pump sensor.
Solution:
You will need to fit a replacement high-pressure pump sensor to resolve this issue. Watch the video to see how to test this sensor:
Difficulty level
Suspension problems
Problem:
You may have observed that the vehicle is sagging to one side, which is usually caused by broken leaf springs.
Solution:
You will need to fit new leaf springs to fix the problem.
Difficulty level
Leaf Spring
Rear door handle failure
Problem:
If you have noticed that the handles on the rear door are not working properly, they are known to fail on these vehicles.
Solution:
You will need to attach replacement handles to resolve the issue.
Difficulty level
Door Handle
Loss of Power on Hills
Problem:
You lose power when driving uphill, and the van takes a while to warm up.
Solution:
If your engine revs while you drive uphill, then there’s a good chance that your clutch is slipping and will need replacing. We always stock clutch systems for the Doblo, so you can easily find and order a replacement.
Difficulty level
Clutch Kit
Steering Loss
Problem:
The van no longer responds when you turn the steering wheel.
Solution:
The weld on the steering shaft at the lower universal joint fitting may be missing. This led to a recall of Doblos manufactured between March and April 2006, and your only option now is to replace the steering shaft. You can order this online from us and have the replacement delivered.
Difficulty level