Pakred up at work this morning as normal, took keys out of ignition and the engine management light and oil pressure light lit up. Also the temperature gauge stays half way, or whereever it was when the ignition was turned off.

When the ignitions on there are no warning lights The car is fine, no misfire or loss of performance.

Rang Fiat dealers, it needs a diagnostic check that costs 38quid because its not covered in 3rd year warranty (which is stupid imo) Dont want to pay the 38quid...........

Any ideas??

Cheers

Possible...

Ignition switch- these can give varied and weird problems. This is an ok job to do, not more than an hour, but the shear bolts can be a c##t to get out- remember to renew these.

Instrument cluster- have been known to go wrong from time to time, but usually for problems whilst running. Bit on the £££ side as well.

Body computer- have to say not the best for reliability, 1 good sneeze and it'll put a light on. ££££ as well.

BTW the diagnostic check is covered by warranty if the faulty componant is also

But do I take the risk....

Do you know if the faults you mentioned above are covered under warranty?

Cheers for the message, appreciate it

It sounds like a problem I had before. I was told it is a build up of static in the motherboard and it can be rectified by disconnecting the battery for 30mins...I didn't try that but if that is the case at least it's free!

I asked the service guy at Fiat about disconnecting the battery and he was all 'No thats not a good idea blah blah' the only excuse not to do it was the fact that the radio code was needed afterwards I have the key anyway.......I think he knew that might cure it

Ive disconnected the battery before- a few times, but am a bit wary of doing it when these 'faults' are displayed. Might try at the weekend, like you say its free.

Thanks

I believe things like body computers, instrument clusters, and ignition switches are covered in 3rd year warranty as they are not wear and tear items like clutches etc, and have done these componants at work during 3rd year.... contact Fiat customer services and find out, then get them to contact your dealer for you.

I had exactly the same symptoms on my 53 Sporting and I could also park it in the evening with everything appearing normal and return to it in the morning and various dashboard lights would be on even before I got into the car.

They replaced the instrument cluster and things apparently went back to normal for a few days then the engine began randomly cutting out and would sometimes restart before I stopped, with random warning lights on again, usually the engine management light was one of them.

Body computer was replaced next and again OK for two days then the above problems returned.

All this time I had complained that the ignition switch felt very hit and miss when turning it. I found that if I turned the ignition switch on very quickly then all would usually be OK for a while. If I turned the switch slowly then one or two instrument lights would come on but very dim and would then go out and the engine wouldnt start.

All was cured when they listened and replace the ignition switch.

Its been fine since then (November 2004)

All of the above problems began when I noticed that sometimes when pressing the brake pedal that the airbag warning light would flash very briefly and I only noticed it when travelling at night as the flash was too brief.
Once I had noticed it I was watching for it during the day and it did flash but not every time the pedal was pressed

A quick disconnect of the battery and it seems to have worked.

38quid......

Just seen this, but my sister had the same fault on her ELX last year. She left it with my Dad (it was the morning she flew out to Canada for 4 weeks holiday, lucky g!t) who rang the Fiat Garage and was told to disconnect the battery for 30 minutes and then re-connect, which would solve it. Dad tried and hey presto! Has never returned again.

My dealers have always been fine with me about warranty jobs but it pisses me off when they say things that are complete bull****........'No definately not a good idea to disconnect the battery, come and give us 38quid and we'll turn it off for you'