Fiat Seicento Common Problems and Solutions
Vibrating Exterior Mirrors
Problem:
Your exterior mirrors are vibrating excessively.
Solution:
This is an inbuilt design flaw that Fiat rectified in May 1999. You can now order the improved mirrors direct from us and easily install the newer versions yourself.
Difficulty level
Loud Speedometer
Problem:
Your speedometer has started to make a loud noise.
Solution:
This is fairly rare, but it has seen a growing number of reports. The noise is being caused by the speedometer cable inside the instrument panel. Although this is a precision task that needs nimble fingers, it's something that most people with a little patience are perfectly capable of.
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Speedo Cable
Engine Won't Start
Problem:
The engine simply won't start, but the battery, the starter motor, and the spark plugs all seem to be working perfectly.
Solution:
If there's a known weak spot on the Seicento, then it's the crankshaft position sensor. The good news is that this is a very inexpensive part when you order through our online store, and installation couldn't be easier.
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Crank Position Sensor
Extremely Noisy Engine
Problem:
Your engine has suddenly become extremely noisy.
Solution:
If your Seicento was built before 1998, it is likely that excessive engine noise will be caused by a broken or blocked fuel vapour recycling tube. Replacing the tube is very straightforward, and we always have the modified tubes available on our parts list.
Difficulty level
Poor Handling and Loose Steering
Problem:
You might feel a shimmy sensation from the front of the car when driving. Overall handling has dropped in performance, and the steering generally feels loose. The problems will be more noticeable when driving on rough roads or over speed bumps.
Solution:
The rear arm bushes on the Seicento are quite durable, but they will wear out eventually. You'll need to take off the suspension arms and then either cut or press the bush out. Then, find new arm bushes in the BreakerYard store and pop them onto the arms before reinstallation.
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Squealing Sound From Back of Car
Problem:
You can hear a loud squealing sound coming from the rear of the car when you drive.
Solution:
You have a worn-out rear wheel bearing. That means you're going to have to buy the whole unit, including the wheel hub. You can order this complete from our parts page for the Seicento. Once you start the installation, don't forget to change the hub nut while you're there.
Difficulty level
Headlight Flicker and Engine Stops
Problem:
There are an array of issues, such as the headlights flickering, the engine dying when you apply the brake, or it dies soon after starting.
Solution:
Have a look at the earth lead that's connected to your battery. This is extremely prone to develop wear issues, but it's an easy fix. Disconnect the lead and rub it down with some sandpaper. Cover it with some vaseline and reconnect it. This should resolve the many issues.
Difficulty level
Difficult Gear Changes
Problem:
It is getting harder to get the gears to get into the right position. If this has been going on a while, the clutch pedal will eventually fall to the floor.
Solution:
If you're lucky, this is just the clutch cable that's about to fail or, if the pedal has fallen, then it has broken. Replacing the cable is easy enough and very low cost when you order from BreakerYard. However, this tends to be a sign that your clutch is on the way out, which is going to mean replacement soon.
Difficulty level
Clutch Cable
Strong Oil Smell
Problem:
There is a strong smell of oil, and there is a thick white substance around the oil cap.
Solution:
Your head gasket is on the way out and is close to developing a crack. You'll find a new gasket head on our parts list, but you should also order a new water pump, timing belt, and tensioners at the same time.
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Overheating Engine
Problem:
The engine is overheating when you're driving in stop-start traffic or on the motorway.
Solution:
This will be a cooling problem, and there are a few things to check over. First, have a look at your water pump and your radiator. If either looks worn or damaged, then order replacements from our online store. If they seem to be fine, then check your thermostat and replace it before it leads to a crack in your head gasket. Finally, bleed the coolant system and replace the coolant with a fresh batch.
Difficulty level
Water leak from sunroof
Problem:
The sunroof on these cars are known to leak water, especially onto the passenger's seat or footwell. If this is the case on your car then you need to remove and fix the sunroof.
Solution:
As mentioned above, you need to remove the sunroof, clean out the drainage holes and apply some silicone around the seals to stop the leak. Have a look at this article to see exactly how its done.
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Suspension problem
Problem:
When you are driving over rough surfaces or speed bumps and you notice that there is a knocking noise coming from the rear suspension, you most likely have a problem with the rear suspension arm.
Solution:
You will need to replace the rear suspension arm to fix this problem.
Difficulty level
Handbrake problems
Problem:
The Seicento has known issues with the handbrake not working properly. If you have noticed that the handbrake is not holding the weight of the car then it is an issue with the brake shoes at the rear.
Solution:
To fix this problem you will need to remove the brake drums, strip them and clean them. Once you have done this, put them back together and re-fit to vehicle to sort the problem. Check out this video below:
Difficulty level
Rumbling noise from wheels
Problem:
You may notice that there is a rumbling noise coming from the wheels when going round corners or when driving at speeds over 30mph. These are usually clear indications of wheel bearing problems.
Solution:
You will need to replace the faulty wheel bearing to resolve this issue.
Difficulty level
Wheel Bearing
Gearbox failure
Problem:
On the Seicento Citymatic, these cars have had some known issues with the gearbox. The main issues faced with the gearbox result in poor gear changing, and the gears not even engaging. You may also find that the car doesn't even start. These are common symptoms of gearbox problems on this vehicle.
Solution:
You may have to get the gearbox replaced to fix this problem. Have a professional check it out to correctly identify the problem.
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