Seeking Advice for Troubleshooting and Repairing a 2017 Fiat 124 Gasoline Model with Starting Issues and Fuel Inefficiency

Hey! Funny you should mention this, I had a similar issue with my 2015 Fiat Doblo Diesel model. Just so you know, I've got some experience with car issues, not a pro but I can handle a wrench or two. Anyway, right off the bat your symptoms pointed me towards a weak or defective battery. That's exactly what it turned out to be in my case. I took my headache to a local workshop and got the battery replaced. It set me back around 290€, but it definitely fixed the problem. But to get you a more accurate diagnosis, could you tell me more about your 124? Like how many miles it's done? How frequently do you drive it? Any recent accidents, repairs or improvements? Sharing these details would really help me to assist you better. Don't worry, we'll get your car purring like a kitten in no time!

Hey, thanks for the response! Just to give you more insight - my Fiat has clocked 185363 kilometers so far. I drive it pretty much every day, to work and back and some occasional errands over the weekend. Thankfully, no recent accidents or major repairs. However, at the last service that I did around two months ago, I got the oil and spark plugs changed. It was running pretty fine till last week when all this started. Your suggestion about the battery sounds like it might be the culprit. I'll definitely run that by my local mechanic and see if it's the same thing. Cheers for the help!

Hey, I'm glad you found my suggestion about the battery helpful! The additional information you've given lines up with the signs of a weak or dying battery. It's not uncommon for a battery to start acting up due to constant use especially with a high mileage like your Fiat has. My own vehicle had racked up almost similar miles when I faced the same problems. I'm pretty sure I fired up my Fiat more than a dozen times a day, just like you. Therefore, continuous starts might have put a strain on the battery. The dim or flickering lights are also common signs of dwindling battery power. Your car's warning light problem could too be related. I must tell you though, a faulty battery doesn't necessarily result in poor fuel economy. That could be due to something else like a dirty air filter, bad spark plugs (though you just replaced them), or perhaps a failing oxygen sensor. Not saying it can't be the battery – just that you might want to keep an open mind. Can't hurt to ask your mechanic to check out those other things alongside the battery too. Happy fixing! Let me know how it goes.

Thanks a ton! That's some really sound advice. I respect your knowledge about cars. You're absolutely right, I should consider other factors as well. I always assumed that all these problems might be interconnected. Now it's pretty clear it could be a couple of different things acting up. I'll make sure my mechanic checks out the spark plugs and air filters and gives the oxygen sensor a look-see while he's at it. You've been a great help! Can't thank you enough. Will definitely keep you in the loop about what happens. Fingers crossed it's nothing major. Cheers!