I have just come across this thread and I know it is quite old now, but I was wondering if this broken loom debacle affects the convertible, with it's smaller boot lid?

I must check our 2009 500C asap.

Kev.

BigKev said:

I have just come across this thread and I know it is quite old now, but I was wondering if this broken loom debacle affects the convertible, with it's smaller boot lid?

I must check our 2009 500C asap.

Kev.

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Hi Kev;

Haven't seen much to indicate it's really a problem with the 500C but perhaps that's more to do with smaller numbers of cars out there.

The boot wiring on my 2012 'C' is quite short and when the boot's fully open it's stretched tightly across the edge of the lid. The wrapping is split but despite the fact I use the boot at least twice every trip I've had no issues.

My wife's 'C' was built a few months later and the wiring between body and lid is twice as long and includes a plastic clip to hold it onto the hinge arm and prevent it getting caught or pinched. The clip was always coming adrift so I had to secure it with cable ties.

Seems odd FIAT would modify the cabrio but not (apparently) bother with the hatch, but maybe it was down to cost...

When we bought my wife's 65 plate 500C from an independent 500 specialist last year, he reckoned that Fiat had modified the 500C loom at the bootlid after around 2012 to fix the problem. Certainly her car doesn't pull the loom tight when the boot is open.
Probably easier to change this simpler loom than the one in the hatch, but that's no excuse for not doing it.

Resurrecting this thread. I have a 2013, 500 that I just went to change the third brake light on, and upon replacing all of the bulbs, my headlights are out, my brake lights are out, my instrument cluster is out, and I cannot get my car out of Park because the shift lock is off as well.

You are telling me this disconnected wire right here in the boot is the cause of all the issues?!

Hello and welcome to the forum.

We do have a specific 500(USA) section, but this is such a common fault on the european cars that I'll leave this one where it is for now.

NorCal500 said:

You are telling me this disconnected wire right here in the boot is the cause of all the issues?!

Click to expand...

It's likely the cause. It's probable you'll find further damage to the wiring when this is stripped back fully.

The risk (and I hope this hasn't already happened to you) is that a stray electrical feed or short circuit damages one or more of the electronic modules on the car. If that happens, then repair will also involve replacing the failed module(s).

I can't prove this yet, but I strongly suspect that at least some of the common electronic failures we see on the forum (esp. instrument cluster & airbag ECU) are a direct consequence of the failure of this part of the loom.

Right now, all you can do is to disconnect the battery, properly repair any damaged wiring, reconnect the battery and keep your fingers crossed that everything works again. If it doesn't, next step is to check fuses & do a proxi alignment. After that, run diagnostics and take it from there.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you also.