[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Thanks guys for helping, and sorry for my delay. One BHPian also whatsapped me to check if the new alternator is overcharging, incase the fuses are blown.

Here's the scenario -

Checked the voltages to eliminate the last and biggest (budget terms) possibility of alternator or voltage regulator issues.

Battery voltage before tests with engine switched off - 13.13V.
Battery voltage with engine idling - 14.54V.
Battery voltage with engine revved between 1k to 4k rpm slowly - 14.6V maximum.

I think alternator issues can be ruled out. Next up -fuse.

The top right most one and the one below it are the headlamp low beam fuses, as per the owners manual - both look fine.

Couldn't check relay fuse and bulbs as my hands struggle for space inside the engine bay. Will check it over the weekend. I suspect it might just be blown bulbs like Arun's case, but since both the beams died at the same moment - don't want to leave a bigger risk unattended.

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

It could be the fuse too. Do check the fuses with the relay wiring kit, both low beams conking together is rare.

Relay kit was done by expert hands , and is safely hidden inside. Will need to check it properly during weekend. Thank you.

Originally Posted by arun_josie

I had faced this same issue too, both low beam conked off simultaneously. In my case it was not the relay kit, just bad luck.

Thank you.

Osram, by any chance? If i remember right - Two times earlier I tried Osram - didn't last much too. Or may be - Amazon sent me fake ones, despite selecting CloudTail India as the seller.

Originally Posted by paragsachania

Try this CD.

From the relay kit you will notice 2 30A Fuses. Swap them and then see if Low beams work and high don't. If so, it's the fuse. Buy it and install it yourself.

Couldn't check this today. Will update during the weekend. Thank you.

Originally Posted by gururajrv

I’m a new dad in town and up until wee hours usually.

Congratulations!

Originally Posted by gururajrv

Why don’t you go for a retro projector installation which should be a better add on to your car if you travel in the night? Just a suggestion.

Thank you for the kind words. Regarding projectors - Punto is unlikely to see any modifications now, except ensuring proper maintenance.

Reason is that highway, weekend fun etc has been moved to this member of the garage now - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...sys-650-a.html

Main usage for the car is now for office (~35 kms daily), weekend drives inside city whenever wife joins (~100 kms from one end of Bangalore to the other and back on weekends).

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Osram, by any chance? If i remember right - Two times earlier I tried Osram - didn't last much too. Or may be - Amazon sent me fake ones, despite selecting CloudTail India as the seller.

Yes, it was Osram Night Breaker Plus. I think it lasted for just 3 months.

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

Yes, it was Osram Night Breaker Plus. I think it lasted for just 3 months.

Need to check the headlight housing, if there are any vibrations it will conk. I have the same bulbs for over a couple of years now and most of the times the car runs only at night.

Do check for vibrations in the headlight unit.

[Tornado]

Hello BHPians,

I bought a Punto which had 33k on the odo few months back. ( this is my 6th car from fiat family. I had a Padmini, 118NE, Palio 1.9, Palio MJD & Uno). I am looking for an after market front break shoes. Does anyone has any good experience besides the OE one?

My friend who has a Punto MJD used local brand once and currently using TVS but he is not happy with performance when compared to the OE break pads. Any suggestions? How is Delphi’s ? It seems as cheaper as 1350 where as OE is around 3.7K . I doubt whether Delphi manufactures break pads for Punto.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Tornado

I am looking for an after market front break shoes.

But why?

Isn't it better to source the original ones from 99rpm instead?

[Tornado]

I had bad experience with 99rpm.
once ordered single front wheel bearing for my Punto. I ordered the one for ABS variant. After fitting the bearing ABS sensor error was showing up, then we realised it was non- ABS wheel bearing ( the ABS one has a magnetic ring around it ) . I complained but there was no good result and I lost my money- Rs 2100 . Later I got 2 bearings from local shop at Kochi for 900 each ( ABs version),which was fitted perfectly . It’s working great.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Tornado

I had bad experience with 99rpm.

True. Their customer service is extremely poor - if something goes wrong, they just don't care.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Some random pics. Didn't take these pics to share on the thread, just casually took a couple of days back because I was happy with the gloss on the car -

Realized last week that the interiors were professionally detailed 1 lakh kms ago, and it surely has started to show this age. Decided it give a shot myself before getting any professional work done. Time to scrub some clean microfibers dirty. Product bought -

[Tornado]

Fitted Valeo’s swift diesel clutch and release bearing of Indica vista quadrajet to Punto MJD (75bhp). When I compared the new ones with OE parts taken out , those were exactly the same make.
After the clutch change , it’s more than 7500km , it’s absolutely fine .

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

True. Their customer service is extremely poor - if something goes wrong, they just don't care.

I replaced the front break pads with motherson pads. When I researched I cloud see that motherson has partnership with Magneti Marelli. But breakpads might not be a part of the jv. I feel that the bite is bit slower as I need to press the pedal bit more to get strong bite when compared to the OE. I think it’s better to stick with OE or performance break pads.
Atleast you will have a psychological effect of safety feeling

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Finally got time to clean the interiors properly today. Needed a little more than half bottle of the Sonax Interior Cleaner mentioned above.

Front Passenger Seat - Before. Accidentally kept a packet on the seat while trying to move my bag to make space for the cover on the floormat, but didn't notice the oil stain it made on the seat in just a few seconds.


Front Passenger Seat - After


Co-driver seat backside - Before


Co-driver seat backside - After


Rear bench - Before


Reach bench - After. though some portions are yet to dry properly.


Driver's seat - After Yet to dry, as evident in the picture.


Doorpads - Cleaning in progress.


End result (Fabric cleaning only).


Closer look at the fabric

Now that the fabric looks fresh, the plastics feel out of place. Time for Meguiar's Natural Shine treatment. Meanwhile, could not resist clicking these two random pics on the way back home from office, the second one being as random as it can get - cause it's just clicked when I was having a cup of tea in the opposite shop!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Any suggestions on what would be the resale value of the car now? FIAT, 7 years, 1.74L kms since purchase?

There are a couple of my friends who appreciate how painstakingly the car has been maintained, and I already have a request from one if he could purchase the car as the backup vehicle at home.

PS: I know the value will be pathetic, just can't figure out what is realistic and fair since it can't be Rs 0.00/-

Online sites like Cars24 are not helpful since they club all cars above 1L kms usage into one bracket - and the value they qoute is roughly 2.5L before inspections - which I don't think is realistic.

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Any suggestions on what would be the resale value of the car now? FIAT, 7 years, 1.74L kms since purchase?

The things in bold are the only things buyers are going to point out when negotiating! Also, news that Fiat is going to shut shop will not be helping you much.

2.5 lac looks like a good deal to me at first glance. Try to find a fellow enthusiast if you're Keen on selling. I'd recommend you keep it as a second car, provided parking space is not an issue.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Geo_Ipe

2.5 lac looks like a good deal to me at first glance.

Just to clarify - I meant 2.5L is way unrealistic on the higher side, not lower.

Their online estimates only have one option - greated than 1L kms, but the mental barrier between 1L kms and 1.75L kms is huge. And like you said, the news of FIAT's future isn't going to help either.

Can only explore the Cars24 option only when I'm ready to handover the vehicle - but just wanted to get a couple of suggestions on what's a realistic price before that.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Just to clarify - I meant 2.5L is way unrealistic on the higher side, not lower.

Their online estimates only have one option - greated than 1L kms, but the mental barrier between 1L kms and 1.75L kms is huge. And like you said, the news of FIAT's future isn't going to help either.

Can only explore the Cars24 option only when I'm ready to handover the vehicle - but just wanted to get a couple of suggestions on what's a realistic price before that.

For a well maintained car like yours, I would say 2L is a fair price. This is after considering Fiat and high running. The arguments in favour are a thoroughly maintained and fully loaded car.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by ashis89

fully loaded car.

Time flies so fast. Fully loaded in 2012, is barebones in 2019.

Even something as simple as rear parking sensors were only available in the i20 Asta back then, IIRC.