Technical ECU is not detected

Currently reading:
Technical ECU is not detected

Robyn246

New member
Joined
Aug 13, 2014
Messages
2
Points
1
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on a problem I am having with my Fiat 500. I went through a shallow puddle on Friday. Shortly after the engine light came on (amber) and the dashboard flashed check engine. The car chugged all the way home and was not coping well in low revs. Took it to my local Fiat garage and they originally said the problem was to do with the cam belt. They replaced this part but it did not resolve the problem. They investigated further and have detected problems with the ECU. However, they inform me that the ECU will not respond to their diagnostic device. They have therefore contacted Fiat for guidance on what to do. Has anyone encountered this problem before. Unfortunately I have no more information to share. Any help would be much appreciated. Many thanks!!
 
Hello and welcome to the Forum :wave:

Sorry to hear you're having problems.

My first thought is that water from the puddle has found its way into something that isn't intended to get wet.

I don't see how replacing the cambelt would solve anything and IMO it seems a strange and rather drastic first step to take.

What type of engine does your car have?
 
Sounds like a sensor or connector has got damp. Cambelt sounds a monumentally mongish thing to replace TBH.

I wonder if the ECU connector has got damp- if the ECU was truly knackered the engine most probably wouldn't run. If you're comfortable with it, I think a copy of a haynes manual is in order and get some contact cleaner on the connectors in the wiring loom. I wonder if one has let water in and is now holding on to it.

FWIW, I went through a <very> deep patch of water in my 1.2 a few years back (yes, it was incredibly stupid of me) and nothing came of it, however after running through it and testing the brakes well I gave it a good NSL run to give it all the best chance of drying out quickly.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your reply. It is a 2009 model 1.2 engine, petrol.... I don't know if that is what you meant.
 
Thanks for your reply. It is a 2009 model 1.2 engine, petrol.... I don't know if that is what you meant.

Yes - it could be water has found its way into the ignition system (plug leads, coil pack), but clearly that would be a ridiculous suggestion if yours was a diesel version.

If you have a garage, and a dehumidifier, removing the ecu connectors & leaving it overnight with the bonnet open would certainly be worth a try.
 
Last edited:
Yes - it could be water has found its way into the ignition system (plug leads, coil pack), but clearly that would be a ridiculous suggestion if yours was a diesel version.

If you have a garage, and a dehumidifier, removing the ecu connectors & leaving it overnight with the bonnet open would certainly be worth a try.

Thinking about it, my old K11 micra used to chug like this when the plug leads got damp, so could well be something on the ignition side. That said, I presume the 500 has a coil-on-plug type design rather than the distributor/"long" HT leads the K11 did.

Edit: OP, don't feel too bad about the cambelt replacement- as it's a 2009 1.2 it's about due and it's not worth taking the risk with an interference engine (interference=if the cambelt snaps the pistons and valves will clash=probable mega repair bill).
 
Last edited:
Back
Top