I own an Adria Matrix Axess Motorhome; the base vehicle is a 2.3 / 3500Kg / SWB / Fiat Ducato. The vehicle was purchased “New” in May last year, and so is possibly 2012 and not 2013.

Whilst driving at night, I have noticed a warning light glowing dimly.


When I say dimly, I mean that it is nowhere near as bright as all the other warning lights are (when the ignition is first switched on), and is only vaguely discernable in daylight.


Ironically this warning light does not “illuminate” with all the others when the ignition is first switched on. This is probably because the light in question relates to the “Self-Levelling-Suspension” system, which, unless the controls for this system are really well hidden, then, as far as I am aware, is not fitted to this particular vehicle.


Information on this suspension system on the Web is sparse, so I have no idea what such an installation or its controls might look like, or what any warning light, spurious or otherwise may indicate.


This dimly-glowing warning light actually remains dimly glowing when I switch the ignition off. How long it remains like that I have no idea, maybe I should check that out.


The warning light is not all that noticeable during daylight driving, but at night it is quite visible, and disconcerting.


I have no idea what is going on here, I just wonder if anybody else has experienced anything in any way similar?


The vehicle is going in for a Service next week, although it has only covered 5,550 miles, so I shall mention it to the relevant persons, but I don’t really have a lot of hope of getting a straight answer.


Such is life.

If it's lit dimly and remains on (for 60 seconds until body computer shuts down) with key out then you need a new cluster, done one last week.

If getting serviced at a Fiat dealership as them to get a replacement cluster in advanced, they can do this.

T14086 said:

If it's lit dimly and remains on (for 60 seconds until body computer shuts down) with key out then you need a new cluster, done one last week.

If getting serviced at a Fiat dealership as them to get a replacement cluster in advanced, they can do this.

Click to expand...

Replacement Cluster ?


What exactly does that comprise ?


Are we talking a mammoth task taking a considerable amount of time, and incurring huge expense ?


I ask, because the dealership is not on my doorstep and "To-ing & Fro-ing" would involve a couple of bus journeys.

Cluster - complete speedo/rev counter unit, mines done it since new, 14 months I believe it's an earth issue inside
The 3 dealers I've used (Vanworld chesterfield, guest trucks coventry and research Nuneaton) have passed on why the oil and battery light on mine glow! Typical fiat dealers will be pushing again next service

rolopolo said:

Cluster - complete speedo/rev counter unit, mines done it since new, 14 months I believe it's an earth issue inside
The 3 dealers I've used (Vanworld chesterfield, guest trucks coventry and research Nuneaton) have passed on why the oil and battery light on mine glow! Typical fiat dealers will be pushing again next service

Click to expand...

I could have sworn that I replied to this post ,............. must be an age thing.


I had the instrument cluster replaced without any hastle, and all has been well until today when the same warning light reappeared, together with two others. All glowing dimly, hardly visible in daylight but very noticeable at night.


When I turn off the ignition and take the key out they go off about 5 seconds after the illuminated window operating switches.


It's in for service in a couple of days time, I shall try to get some sort of deal with regards to the vehicle still being under warranty,......... or maybe I should just stop driving in the dark ??

Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather, when the Fiat Dealers told me that my vehicle was no longer under warranty, and therefore the failed dash pod/cluster was not covered and was going to cast me £750.


Hang on, says I, it was purchased in mid May 2013, so the 2 year mechanical warranty has another 6 weeks to run, has it not ?


Sadly not.


In spite of the Fat bull**** booklet, which outlines the warranty detail, stating categorically that the vehicle is covered from two years after first registration, it would seem that the converters, "Adria Motorhomes", were the first owners as far as Fiat is concerned and they took delivery of the vehicle in September 2012, so I am out of warranty by 6 months.


I then said hang on another minute; the replacement you fitted 11 months ago has now failed, worse than the original, surely that is covered by at least a 12 month warranty ?


Sadly not.


So I am either going to have to stump up the £750 quid, write a begging letter to Fiat, or sell the vehicle in daylight so that no bugger can see the three glowing warning lights.


I have also been informed that whilst Fiat vehicles sold initially in the UK have a three year warranty, vehicles such as mine which have been converted and imported only have a mechanical warranty for two years.


Sad and disillusioned, I have provided the dealer with a copy of my vehicle registration document so that he can plead the case on my behalf.


I am not holding my breath, ............. and if I ever buy another brand new motorhome, the warranty detail will be given much more scrutiny.


I may have to sell my Gretsch Electromatic to help with the costs if things go badly; I am now going to lie down in a darkened room .

Small claims court and publicity used to be handy sticks to beat companies into doing the right thing. Don't know about nowadays though.

If no luck, might be worth having someone experienced in component-level repair take a look if you can keep the old unit.

Being first to figure out how to repair a popular/expensive electronic thingy can be lucrative

Dry/cold solder joints, oxidised contacts in plug connectors, corrosion caused by flux, water ingress, condensation etc. are easy to find, so too are SMT fuses once you've learned to recognise them. Cracked conductors on FFC & FPC connectors can be hard to find but they fail often.

Components themselves do also fail of course but just knowing the likelihood of failure of the various component types can sometimes be enough to diagnose an unfamiliar circuit.

Why not just keep it and drive it. You'll lose an arm and a leg 'trading up' to a newer one anyway that might have the same or worse issues.

Fiat should at least offer discount as a 'good will' gesture if you put enough effort into calling and writing to them playing the broken record you can always send them a letter and cc the threads here and elsewhere online about the glowing light issues.

Definitely worth removing and cleaning up connections before going any further. If you're not competent enough to go poking a the electronics call BBA Reman, I'm sure they've seen this issue by now. Theres no way I'd be giving my cash to Fiat when the next one could end up the same.

Just a thought, how was it sold to you from the motor home folk?
I.e
New registered
Full manufacturers warranty
Or
Balance of manufacturers warranty.

Did they add they're own warranty?

Worth checking your documents etc as they could be at fault for miss selling warranty and they may have to cough up
I'm no legal eagle I just saw something for sale with balance remaining and thought of this issue

Just FYI post here suggests it was a bad batch of chips and they are dying one after the other. I wonder is your replacement cluster from the same manufacturing period.
http://www.ducatoforum-wohnmobile.de/forum/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&postID=527751#post527751

rolopolo said:

Just a thought, how was it sold to you from the motor home folk?
I.e
New registered
Full manufacturers warranty
Or
Balance of manufacturers warranty.

Did they add they're own warranty?

Worth checking your documents etc as they could be at fault for miss selling warranty and they may have to cough up
I'm no legal eagle I just saw something for sale with balance remaining and thought of this issue

Click to expand...

It was sold to me as "Brand New" and was only registered with the DVLA after I had placed a deposit.
The Fiat bumff booklet that accompanied the sale states that the warranty starts from the date of registration, but according to Fiat, Adria, the converters, registered it for warranty purposes.
There was no added or extra warranty from the vendors, but I will have another scan through the purchase documentation,........... just in case.
Communication with the MMM (Motorhome Magazine Monthly) seems to support the fact that I have dipped out.

ecunotemu said:

Just FYI post here suggests it was a bad batch of chips and they are dying one after the other. I wonder is your replacement cluster from the same manufacturing period.
http://www.ducatoforum-wohnmobile.de/forum/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&postID=527751#post527751

Click to expand...

Thanks for that, my German is pretty poor, but it seems as if this may be a different instrument pod, as the guy is talking about a Glo-plug warning light, and I haven't managed to locate one of those in my vehicle.
Nevertheless it sounds like the same problem and the options seem to range from living with it or to forking out €1,000.
Nuff said !

Monty205 said:

It was sold to me as "Brand New" and was only registered with the DVLA after I had placed a deposit.
The Fiat bumff booklet that accompanied the sale states that the warranty starts from the date of registration, but according to Fiat, Adria, the converters, registered it for warranty purposes.
There was no added or extra warranty from the vendors, but I will have another scan through the purchase documentation,........... just in case.
Communication with the MMM (Motorhome Magazine Monthly) seems to support the fact that I have dipped out.

Click to expand...

So what is the date of registration on the DVLA document, warranty is from the date of registration, but, if Motorhome an imported vehicle, / registered by converters may be different, can be change by request possibly !
If you want to provide me chassi number / reg dates / dvla dates etc i can assist / advise. PM is ok if concerned about giving info in public.

regards Mal

I would seek legal advice, if you were sold a "brand new" "full manufacturers warranty" in May 13 you've at least a month left, if fist say it's not covered due to what you've said earlier, that surely comes under sales of goods act!? Not fit for purpose (warranty) obviously depending on the docs supplied

Wouldn't hang around though, go see cab with docs and if poss proof from fiat about registration details they hold. Then go to motor home sales bloke and dish out some sort it or else your going legal & to the motor home press (bad publicity for him)

Nothing ventured etc, hope you sort it, mine touch wood has been fine since being changed

Neil

I have just found some interesting information via a web site:


fiatcamper.com/en/home


Having registered to access the Fiat site, I find that all the information relating to the vehicle Vin is there for all to see, and it even includes the warranty expiry date.


Guess what ?


2nd May 2015 !


So somebody, somewhere, has been somewhat economical with the facts !


I have printed the details and will be knocking on somebody's door early on Tuesday morning.

Just thought that I would finalise this Issue.

The Fiat dealers agreed that my interpretation of the warranty was the correct one, and that they would replace the cluster under the warranty, but they refused to offer any guarantee that it would last any longer than the failed unit.

The cluster was replaced two weeks ago, and all seems to be working as it should.

We shall see what we shall see in the fullness of time.

The fullness of time is not all that full, after all.


The f***ing thing has failed once more, another 11 months and another 5,000 miles and we have a selection of dimly glowing warning lights.


Not the same lights as in either of the two previous instances but a dimly glowing warning light is a dimly glowing warning light, regardless ?


Not visible in bright daylight, unless one looks really closely but at night it sticks out like a sore thumb, and is most disconcerting.


All the experts tell me that it is an earthing issue not a problem with the unit, .....................


I just don't have a spare £750 at present, and I'm too old to be crawling about under vehicles checking out earth leads/connections.


Tomorrow I shall try the magic number, 0080034281111, and see if we get anywhere.


we shall see what we shall see.

It might be worth asking these people if they can fix it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-ducato-instrument-cluster-clock-dashpod-speedo-speedometer-REPAIR-/121675495087?hash=item1c546cb6af:g:j-UAAOSw0JpV5EJ-

Mike

Re: Spurious, Dim, Instrument Panel Warning Lights ?

Thanks Taffy, but I am pursuing the Fiat Customer Relations people at present.
The ubiquitous "They" are now in some sort of discussion with my local dealers with regard to what, if anything, can be done by way of a good will gesture.
The Dealer has verified that the unit is knackered once more.
I await the outcome of these discussions, but as ever, I am not really anticipating any sort of earth-shattering outcome.

Fiat have agreed to foot the entire bill for a new unit to be fitted.


I have the vehicle booked in for the work to be carried out.


In spite of this result I shall probably avoid SEVEL based conversions if/when I next look for a replacement motorhome.