Fiat Official Reply - Dhamaka Offer

Hi All,

I am Harshad from Trivandrum. I'd had a booked Palio SDX 1.3 during the dhamaka offer (Booking date - 30 June 2010).

This has been quite a frustrating experience as every time the dealer commits for a delivery and then backs out. Last month, he confirmd that there will be 5 palios reaching September end, which never came along.

Today I called up the Fiat call center number from their website and they unworriedly informed that Palios are no longer going to be produced. This has been by far my worst experiences.. someting which is just not acceptable from a global company.

I wanted to check with you guys

1) Has anybody has availed discount of Punto from Fiat as a goodwill gesture?

2) Is there any use of going to consumer courts to sue Fiat?

No use. Just as them for a discount but even that will be small. Looks like they decided the are stopping production and then issue an advert for the remaining cars which I'm sure are snapped by those having people working there.

As an alternative you can get used ones from 08 or even 09, just keep a look out.

thank your lucky stars...... just take your booking money back and buy any other car.. imagine people who already have one and running pillar to post for service and spares!! you are a lucky man.. come on..

i had palio form dhamaka offer and to my experience is very bad since then i had some issues with the car which are still pending it has been three months my complains are still pending, despite communication with top officials with the help of PUG its not complete yet fiat has taken 3 months to provide steering wheel and its still on its way yet not reached me, and so many other things if i write it will take one whole day. And SPARES AVAILABILITY WILL BE MAJOR ISSUE NOW, SAY SERVICE WE CAN MANAGE FROM OTHER GARAGES BUT WHO WILL PROVIDE SPAREES AS FIAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT THEY WORK LIKE KING """ WE DONT HAVE IN STOCK,,,, PRODUCTION HAS STOPPED BL;A BLAA """"""""""ARE THE ANSWERS AND WVERONE KNOWS ABOUT TATA A**

Thank you guys for your replies.. I guess that is end of Fiat story for me. You guys are missing something here. The palio variants going out of  production is a 1 year old story. Everybody knew it or had a whiff of  it. FIAT themselves were not encouraging bookings. So, REALISTICALLY, The 'dhamaka offer' was a clearance sale, Pioneered by our very own PUG members and extended nation wide. All those who booked under the scheme knew fully well that FIAT has 'step motherly  treatment' towards Palios and are not very interested. Everybody knows this. There are issues with service, spares and what not. Yet you undertook the risk of purchasing the car that is at its fag end of production, for it seemed 'value for money' and you had reasons of your own.

Now every SALE be it clothing or electronics comes with fine print like " no warranty, no exchange". We pick up stuff knowing the risk fully well.. same goes here....!

Pravin, there is no point is crying. You knew fully well that the Palios are being stopped and service is shaky. There are threads on  this forum about the same. Yet you decided to book the same and go ahead. The problem then is in your backyard and now u will have to learn to live with it, else u should have gone in for some other car or picked up a Punto, where the service spares etc is better. why the dying Palio..? Just because it came at a throw away price..!. That to me would be an absolutely silly decision.

I bought my 1.6 stile in Jan 2009 with a discount knowing fully well about the consequences. The 1.6 was being stopped and I knew spares would be a bigger problem, because it already was a big problem. Infact spares for the 1.6 are even more rare than the multijet. And i pity the 1.9D owners. Thats even worse..!

Atleast you have the swift DDIS and the TATA VISTA engines, Punto diesel etc for company and engine spares can be procured. So, i dont know what this 'I cant get spares talk is all about'. You guys are definitely in a better position. if you are talking about Cosmetic spares like, bumpers, steering wheel, a/c vents, headlamp units etc etc they are anyways difficult to procure for any of the old Palios. The stile models have some in stock. You should have probably checked and considered these things in the beginning before purchase and if they were not up to your standard then moved on to another model or another brand. I and some of us here in Mumbai have made an effort to develop a great rapport with the service center guys , so that i dont face any difficulty. Now these guys are friends and they take care of my car well. Spares - thanks to PUG for putting KAVA on the map, good spares can be got with not too much difficulty.

My suggestion, Try other service centers and see if they have stock. If they do, then work it out with your dealer or since your car is under warranty, u can get it done there. Alot of it also is also dealer lethargy. Im not aware of your back story. But on the contrary other people who have purchased the same SDX even some early 2009 models seem to be happy with their purchase. So, call it your bad luck. You all knew what was coming. Lets get REAL here..!

Harshad, you may be lucky ( for not owning a Lemon..!) or unlucky ( for not being able to own a great car..! with added baggage..!) depending on how you view it. But I would suggest, you take your money and move 

on. If you still want to put you money on a troubled product then do so at your own risk and don't complain. Go to the consumer court for what..? We all own palios old and new and figure out ways between ourselves to keep her up on the road in great shape, cos we love our cars dearly.

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I need help on a CD convertible

Could I prevail on some of you convertible(CD)owners to take and send me via email some close up pics of how the wood side pieces are on the car ? What I need to see is how they are in relationship to the metal edges and drip rails. Also any pics of how the front top attaching "anchors" work ? If you have one restored that fine and even an unrestored one would work too as long as it has the wood pieces still on it.

Making new wood sides is not a problem for me but I just need to wrap my mind around how they look when attached (up close). All the convertible pics I have found on the website are not close enough to get a good idea.

I know the CC tops snapped across the front edge but the CDs used some sort of screw in latches ?????

I'll get/post some pics in the next couple of days. The wood on my 'vert is probably original. there is a metal piece at the front of the top where it attaches above the windshield. it screws into the windshield frame with large anchor bolts.

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The mysterious ECU lamp!

If the ECU lamp stays on, that means there is some fault logged, and its due to an intolerant sensor. But if it goes away it means the misbehaving sensor has become 'alright'. As i read in Fiat forum, the intermittent light is mostly caused by the RPM sensor/Sending unit.

BTW, how does the ECU light looks like in the SLX? Is it an orange engine symbol? I don't have it in my ELX and never seen in GTX/Petra. If you are in Bangalore and still having the ECU light on, I can help in trying to find out the fault code using the diagnostic software. (if time/space permits :) )

The ECU warning lamp in Palio Stile is red (Like the battery / Parling brake / Oil warning signals) and has an elongated shape.  

Guys.. this is strange. I have never seen any ECU lamp on my Palio GTX 2002 model. Not even during starting. Car runs fine, no problems at all. Should I get it checked or leave it like that? 

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Crosley Collection For Sale - MO - $650

I posted to fast and didn't see the ful list. Here is what Bill Bicknell has for sale.

I have been an automotive literature and memorabilia collector for over 50 years and have decided it is time to liquidate most of my collection. The Crosley portion is just a small part of the collection. If you are interested in other makes, please let me know. I will sell various package deals, but I am not interested in selling one item at a time.

I have a variety of automotive and non-automotive Crosley items to be sold as a package deal. A description is as follows:

Automotive:
1.Frame with front and rear axle and pedal assemblies, cable brakes
2.Frame with front springs, rear bumper and spare tire holder
3.Bumper (1950-51?)
4.Tin block (block only)
5.Literature:
 

a.Three 8-1/2X11 glossy photos (maybe factory?), two of engine, one of Powell Crosley holding engine
b.Braje catalog dated 1981 (repro?)
c.Speed equipment – several copies of early speed catalogs showing Crosley items
d.Hot Shot brochure
e.Several of the common post-war literature items
f.Parts list – original black cover with raised red embossed letters
g.Crosley Data Book (binder only, no info inside), measures about 5"X6"
h.Ink stamp that says "Crosley Motors"
i.Newsletters - various

Non-Automotive:
1.Ten household radios, two are clock-radios (40's - 50's vintage)
2.Radio-phonograph (40's - 50's vintage), wood case has been recently refinished
3.Dinner plate advertising Crosley automatic dishwasher
4.Literature:
 

a.Radio Service Manual – 1943
b.Shelvador refrigerator manual – 1946-47
c.Shelvador instruction manuals, two different ones (40's or 50's)
d.Crosley Electric Range manual
e.Crosley TV diagrams manual

Price: $650 all
Shipping: No shipping, all items must be picked up.

If you are interested in other non-Crosley package deals, ask about the following:
 

1.Tucker, Muntz, Heathkit, Industrial Engines, Boats, Car Magazines mostly 50's (over 300), Stamp Collection
2.Other – do you have specific requests?

Bill Bicknell
11875 Stoney Ridge Ct.
Rolla, MO 65401
Home/office: 573-364-8586

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Hagley car show

Pete and I were honored to be included in the feature class (compact cars) at the Hagley Museum (DE) car show on Sunday, and had our 1951 super wagon on display; parked next to Jean Cassidy with her original 1941 coupe.  Naturally both cars were smaller than the compacts, but they were a big hit and got lots of attention.  We spoke with spectators that remembered seeing a HotShot and a FOR there several years ago. 
It's still not too late to get your Crosley out of the garage and to a car show this year!  Pete and I have shows scheduled through the beginning of Nov.  People love seeing them and hearing about them.

I am surprised they remembered given the fine assortment of cars they get there. That was My Hotshot and Merle Tiger's FOR and that was probably 4 years ago!!!

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Palio Stile 1.6 Starting Problem

did you try out a spare RPM sensor at your local mechanic? Not sure if that can be the culprit? Palio Adventure 1.6L/100BHP, 2002, 83k km, Silver Frost Siena ELX 1.6L/100BHP, 2003, 59k km, Tangerine Mist

  

I have a Palio Stile 1.6 Sport - year 2007 model. I have been unable to start the car inspite of repeated intervals at cranking the engine. The electrician did a check up and says there is nothing wrong with the battery, starter motor, fuse or any other electrical component. A mechanic has pointed to the Fuel pump failure as a possible cause of starting  failure.

Question  - is there a way of checking if the fuel pump is working fine or does it have to be removed from under the rear seat and sent for inspection  or  calibration. Any pointers would help - as i am stuck with the car parked in my garage.

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Wipers not coming back to their resting place - My exp

Friday morning I suddenly noticed this behavior - had never happened before. The wipers wouldn't come to their position. The speed was same on all 3 settings.

Got the wiper motor assembly replaced today noon. It was covered in warranty. The cost on the bill is ~2850. So with labor it would account to something between 3-4K.

The entire assembly has to be changed - there cannot be any repairs. The assembly for Stile is different from Palio.

I think during monsoons they have many issues with wiper motors, so they have them stocked up. I got my work done quickly as the vehicle was in warranty period. If it had been extended warranty, then it would take 3-4 days to get the claim approved from the insurer company. This company is located somewhere in Gurgaon and the 'extended warranty representative' at the ASS will check your service records and study your case and then send an email to this insurer company. When a confirmation is received, the ASS will replace the part for free.

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DeLaSalle Charter High School Builds 300MPG Electric Car

A new electric car can get more than 300 miles per gallon. That's three, zero, zero. But this car wasn't created by forward-thinking manufacturers in Japan, Detroit or Germany. It's the brainchild of
students from DeLaSalle Education Center, a high school in Kansas City, Mo. for students who need an alternative to the traditional system.

DeLaSalle Charter High School Builds 300MPG Electric Car Video, Photo and Story <http://www.panacea-usa.org/>

what good an electric car,if it cannot help a father to sell the icy cool dessert?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5UXEZITJ-E :D just kidding.

on a more serious note,I think the project itself will be very inspirational to kids all around the globe on what they can contribute for the environment and society despite them being just... school students. but the drawback of this type of project is that,obviously it need a lot of cash...or at least thats what the images says.

Which reminds me....my uncle have several unit of old washing machine in his workshop...hmmmmm

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Broken crank

I got the engine out and dropped the pan, no broken crank. Got too looking and discovered that the flywheel was loose. The bolts were finger loose and the pins had backed out. Glad there was no broken crank!

Lucky. ;You may want to loctite those bolts.

I already did.
That's great news Barry! Is that Stonys engine?

No it belongs to John Boylan, from Louisville, KY He was at the nationals this year, the black rat rod looking one.

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SUPERSPORTS TOPS NOW AVAILABLE

I have been working with a local guy to make tops for Crosleys. I got the first prototype today made of blue vinyl which we fit onto my SS and it fit well. The prototype is available for sale at 200.00 (no snaps, bows or tools). For everyone who is waiting for a complete correct top, I am taking orders. The top will be in the correct black Hartzcloth with red trim identical to the one on my SS. It will include side curtains with black zippers and the top bow support straps. It will NOT include top bows, snaps or tools to install. The cost will be 650.00 plus shipping if I get orders for one or 2, and 550.00 each plus shipping if I get orders for 3 or more. The next thing available will be Hotshot tops followed by Farm O Road. I will also be doing prewar convertable coupe in the near future. Please contact me at tmkldwwj@yahoo.com to order. Payment will be required on completion of top and prior to shipment.

That sounds most fair according to what I've spent for tops and curtains.
I'm not familiar with the SS side curtains. Do they have metal frames or depend on the top and windshield for support?..............

They use the top for support but they do have a semi rigid piece accross the front that serves as a seal and gives a little support. I am making a couple of dollars to cover my expenses but no real profit on the cost. I really don't want to be in the "top business" but it seems there is a need. As soon as I set it up, I am going to turn it over to a permanant vendor.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Finally.....Finally and Finally my search is over

Hi All,

Wanted to share my happiness with all of you. I was obsessed with old generation Palio's for many reasons and was looking for a used one since start of this year. Came very close to few deals but missed it coz of competition:)  (though feeling good now).

 

During May'10(Dhamaka Season for few Virtual for me:( ) i and my friend booked Palio SDX'10 model and from then on started counting days to enjoy my Palio until mid of August when finally FIAT management called off the Dhamaka offer.

Though i was badly frustrated by FIAT management my longing to own a Palio did not reduce. so my search started again till last week....

Finally last week i bought a black colour single owned June 2008 SDX clocked 34800kms from Prerana Used car division in lag bagh road,bangalore for 3.4Lakhs.(Felt happy the way previous owner maintained it)

Our family badly needed a vehicle and since i could not afford a new punto or figo i had to go for a used Palio against the parents wishes. This is my first ownership and am ignorant about cars, but i could defientely feel the power and stability which it rendered during the test drive so immedietely closed the deal.

Me and my parents had to go for Chennai trip last weekend and my parents half heartedely accepted my proposal of going in car to chennai(340kms from bangalore). But on the way back Palio impressed my parents too when effortlessly cruising over 100KMPH. I had a fun time riding it while coming back yesterday as on the way to chennai we hired a driver since it was a night journey. As i told this is my first car so being a amateur driver i could not win many a competitions against Swift's,FIGO's and I10's on highway(many of you might know the road between Bangalore and chennai is really good but toll part of it.....lets forget it)

Few points worth discussing:

1)Engine power even at low and over 2500 RPMs is really enjoyable(credits goes to FIAT and previuos owner for maintaining it well)

2)Mileage for 850KMs trip was 18+kmpl with 100% AC ON including 50-100km of bumper to bumper traffic in chennai.

3)Though stability is great while doing a S-Type overtake at 100KMPH i was not so confident,i think wheel alignment has to be done.

4)There is a irritating vibration sound coming from rear door from glass this started coming when i filled my tyre pressure to 32psi.

5)Clutch is really hard my left leg is paining.

6)Driver seating position is not all that great(i am 5"8') and i got some lower back pain and neck pain from my yesterdays trip back from chennai.

7)Gear shifting is tough especially 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd (and getting accustomed to the FIAT type reverse gear now)

8)need to do sunfilming for rear right hand side window and CR70 for front glass.

9)AC is ok but during long distance travel, if i switch off AC after continuous use for about a hour and keeping fan on within 5 minutes i feel suffocated, dont know if it is because of chennai-bangalore route.

10)There is slight rubbing needs to be done on bonnet as previous owner said cement water dropped on bonnet for the whole night

11)Complete cleaning interior/exterior needs to be done, will it help if i do 3M treatment.

 

The vehicle is due for service at 36000kms(i clocked around 1000KMS in three days :S so it is now at 35900) and am planning to go to Prerana Old Madras road,bangalore. Any pointers for issues or contact person.

Congratulations on the acquisition. We are sailing in the same boat, bought mine - May 2008 Black SDX,  had done 27,000 this April.

Family travelled from Pune to Kolhapur , Goa, Konkan coast n back .... the honeymoon with FIAT has just begun & believe me it will not end...The sorry n  chaotic traffic in Pune does not bother me anymore... Your concerns which I can answer...

Point No 5 & 6 - I had exactly similar problems...sever lower back pain stiffness even for city runs. After some trial & errors getting the clutch checked with BUB & a friend, removed the seat cover, stuffed Hitlon [the spungy material thats used to protect PCs etc "in the cavity of the seat only, not the complete surface" & then a 32mm/ density foam sheet on top covering the full surface. Now I have a decent height & probably the angle with which the foot presses the pedal has changed as even I am 5'8" too. 

I guess its worth a try if it works for you, the investment is just 250-300 bubks. No issues since then even on long drives.

Point No 7 - The gears are "mukhann" but the root problem I feel is in point 5 & 6, bcos of the leg/back pain. 

In Fiat one needs to Floor the Pedal completely & the gears shift smoothly. Point No 8 - I too do feel irritated when the dashboard gets heated up & throws hot air on my face inspite of such a fantastic a/c.

But living in Pune traffic, have not had the courage to do the front glass filming ..... people w/o headlights on their bikes / cycles jut out anytime ..... not sure of how much it affects the visibility...

Point No 9 - Check the Manual, there are 2 options , A/c air-intake Open & to close it off. One needs to allow fresh air intake, especially on long rides.

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Body parts

I am trying to find someone who makes frame around the front window for
Ford Econoline model 1987. I am rebuilding my Econoline

Try : http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/fordvan.html
Keep On Vannin',
BlueThunder
BlueThunder@ThundersGarage.com


Ford E250 Sportsmobile 4x4 Van
Visit my Internet 4x4 Van Shop:
www.ThundersGarage.com
~ Your Virtual 4x4 VAN Experience ~
Ive delt with show cars and they ripped me off for the mounting kit for a gull wing door I paid for up front .

I have two rear doors from my 79 Ford. This van has never saw snow; I installed a fiberglass gullwing and don`t need the stock ones anymore. Unfortunatly I`m in South Bend, Indiana .

Take up to 3 photos, list all the info about them and I will put it in my "Parts 4 Sale" area...

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Paint Question

I have a local paint shop shooting the jeep. He does not like the paint to begin with because he has never heard of Gillispie. He feels that it is not a "professional product" for automotive use, more an industrial coating for stationary equipment and the like and is concerned that I will not be happy with the result. He cannot however get a matching color/finish with the PPG products that he shoots. I spoke with GCI in Texas and they said any alkyd enamel hardner will work but that the addition of hardner will only make the paint more glossy, will not contribute to a higher durability, and will just make it dry faster. They said just don't use any hardner if I have sufficient drying time. The painter is going to shoot my YJ as the last vehicle of the day and leave it in the spray booth overnight to dry. 

I am having ppg paint mixed for my jeep with a flattener added. It will be very flat however it is a pain to match as the flattening agent dramatically changes the final color. It is also 3x the cost of gillespe but more durable. You also need to use a good epoxy primer-again more expensive. I have used Gillespe before with good results but it is very soft paint.

Your painter is right. I used the paint because I wanted the color to be correct. The paint chips and fades easily. Contact the puget sound military vehicle club( on the website). One of the members mentioned a paint supplier in Bremerton, Washington that has military paint chips and can match military colors. Just a thought.

I have a local paint shop shooting the jeep. He does not like the paint to begin with because he has never heard of Gillispie. He feels that it is not a "professional product" for automotive use, more an industrial coating for stationary equipment and the like and is concerned that I will not be happy with the result. He cannot however get a matching color/finish with the PPG products that he shoots. I spoke with GCI in Texas and they said any alkyd enamel hardner will work but that the addition of hardner will only make the paint more glossy, will not contribute to a higher durability, and will just make it dry faster. They said just don't use any hardner if I have sufficient drying time. The painter is going to shoot my YJ as the last vehicle of the day and leave it in the spray booth overnight to dry. Thanks for the answers.

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throttle

Anyone know why the throttle handle pushes out when I press on gas ? How to cure?

at the "pedal" end of the throttle cable, there's a cable stop (a nipple with a lock screw). This cable stop should be behind the pedal, attached to the throttle inner cable where it comes through the tip of the gas pedal. The pedal should allow the cable to slide through the pedal tip on acceleration via the gas pedal.

So there are four possible reasons why the throttle handle is pushing out:-

1. The throttle inner cable stop is in front of the pedal instead of behind:

2. The throttle inner cable stop is stuck to the pedal:

3. The throttle inner cable is stuck in the pedal tip (it should slide freely):

4. The throttle inner cable is kinked and is being trapped in the pedal tip.

Let us know what you find...........

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