I have just fitted a new battery to swmbo's 2009 1.4 500C. I used my code-saver device, as I always do in all my vehicles to prevent losing radio codes and other settings. No problem, except that the EM warning light is now on and won't extinguish, even after an 'Italian tune-up'. Any ideas, folks?

Kev.

You don't need to use a code saver for the 500. What does the battery saver do? Do you have start&stop?

306maxi said:

You don't need to use a code saver for the 500. What does the battery saver do? Do you have start&stop?

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Mainly to avoid having to reset the radio code, also to maintain ECU settings.

If I don't use it on my MX-5, there is quite a long period of rough running until the ECU re-learns again. I also have to re-code the radio, which is a pita.

No, we don't have start/stop on this one.

The 500 doesn't operate in this manner and imho I wouldn't recommend using any sort of device to do this.

306maxi said:

The 500 doesn't operate in this manner and imho I wouldn't recommend using any sort of device to do this.

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Thanks for your replies, 306maxi. So I wouldn't have to put in the radio code if I disconnect and reconnect the battery then? That's unusual..

BigKev said:

So I wouldn't have to put in the radio code if I disconnect and reconnect the battery then?

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The radio code is also stored in the body computer - when you reconnect the battery, the two codes are compared and provided they match, you don't need to reenter the code .

The radio does occasionally throw a wobbly and ask for a code - usually all you need to do is disconnect the battery for a few minutes and on reconnecting, you should be good to go.

Happened to me on the Panda a few months back.

jrkitching said:

The radio code is also stored in the body computer - when you reconnect the battery, the two codes are compared and provided they match, you don't need to reenter the code .

The radio does occasionally throw a wobbly and ask for a code - usually all you need to do is disconnect the battery for a few minutes and on reconnecting, you should be good to go.

Happened to me on the Panda a few months back.

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What he said

jrkitching said:

The radio code is also stored in the body computer - when you reconnect the battery, the two codes are compared and provided they match, you don't need to reenter the code .

The radio does occasionally throw a wobbly and ask for a code - usually all you need to do is disconnect the battery for a few minutes and on reconnecting, you should be good to go.

Happened to me on the Panda a few months back.

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Thankyou, jrkitching, that is very useful to know. I guess I'll have to get the fault cleared via OBDII. Oh well, live and learn

Depends what the fault is, it should clear after a few start/stop cycles

306maxi said:

Depends what the fault is, it should clear after a few start/stop cycles

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Ok, we'll run it for a day or two and see what happens

Thankyou,

Kev.

Well, I disconnected the battery for a few minutes once again, then we have been using the car quite a lot today. Multiple short runs - however the EM light remains on, so looks like a trip to a garage with an OBD II code-reader to get it sorted.
Thanks for all the replies.

BigKev said:

Well, I disconnected the battery for a few minutes once again, then we have been using the car quite a lot today. Multiple short runs - however the EM light remains on, so looks like a trip to a garage with an OBD II code-reader to get it sorted.
Thanks for all the replies.

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Tbh, you'd be better off buying a cheap diagnostic tool off the famous auction site, one that will clear EML/trouble codes and save yourself a lot of money.

I have a Scangauge II, not exactly cheap, which I use to monitor battery voltage, water temp etc, and that clears trouble codes and EML. I've helped out a couple of my neighbours who had EML come on for various reasons, such as EGR valves sooting up, MAF sensors and the like. Cleared their EML's no problem and it didn't cost them anything!