Fiat 500 Problems

The Fiat 500 Bluetooth system incorporated a Windows-based technology called Blue & Me. The idea was to give full hands-free control of the phone’s functions, but how to connect Bluetooth to Fiat 500 hardware is similar to any other system.

Bluetooth Fiat 500 pairing starts with enabling Bluetooth on your phone and switching the setting to Discoverable. From there, you use the car’s info-screen menus to find Settings, then select User Pairing. Then tap the Blue & Me prompt on the screen and type the PIN into your phone.

That should ensure the connection and reinstate it whenever the car detects that phone.

The catch is that Fiat 500 Bluetooth wasn’t available on every model. Early (2008 and 2009) base model (Pop) Fiat 500s sold in Australia didn’t have Bluetooth connectivity. If you bought the Sport or Lounge model, you got this feature, but only Pops built in 2010 or later had Bluetooth.

The Fiat Ritmo is a pretty rare car here, having been on sale for only about two years and failing to inspire much interest from Australian car buyers.

As far as the clutch goes (and the Ritmo was only sold here in manual form) I believe it uses a hydraulic actuation. On conventional hydraulic systems, there should be an adjuster somewhere down near the slave-cylinder which varies where it acts on the clutch fork. By altering this setting, you effectively change the distance the fork travels and, therefore, introduce more or less movement into the clutch itself. But the Ritmo uses a concentric slave cylinder which lives inside the bell-housing and is not adjustable nor serviceable without removing the car’s gearbox.

That would make the Ritmo’s clutch self-adjusting. Either way, when the system has run out of adjustment, that usually signals that it’s time for a new clutch assembly as the clutch itself is worn beyond the point of serviceability.

But, before you worry about any of that, check that the clutch master cylinder contains the correct level of clutch fluid. If there’s a leak in the system, the clutch will not disengage properly. If your problem is one of the clutch slipping, then it’s more likely you have an actual worn out clutch.

Generally the cost will depend on the variant and year. You can get more information on quick and cheap key replacments from dealers or automotive locksmiths here.

Most likely it is coming from the windscreen area, so make sure the drains are clean and flowing freely.

Dry the floor and carpets out, and then have someone hose the windscreen down while you watch from inside to spot any water coming in. It could be the windscreen seal is leaking. Perhaps you have had a windscreen replaced?

The easiest question on record. Get an MX-5 and you'll have all the sunshine and fun you want. The only problem will be choosing between the 1.6 and 2.0-litre engines. Most prefer the "big-bore" engine but I like the engagement you get with the smaller one.

If she has fallen for the looks of the Mini it's probably game over. But you should still test drive the Fiat 500 for style and the Audi A1 as a driving alternative.

There is no reason to worry about safety in the Fiat but I'm getting an awful lot of complaints from Fiat-Chrysler owners. I'd steer you towards a Suzuki Swift or a Kia Rio.