Technical Hill Start/ESC/Cluster dead

[bowen71]

So today as I was driving and I got a HILL START disabled message and an ESC light. I stopped put it in park and shut off the car, I started it back up and it would not come out of park. So I turned off the key again and started it again and it wouldn't do anything, it started but the cluster was blank, tach didn't work and it wouldn't come out of park. I used the key to push the shift lock, I put it in neutral and started the car. It went into drive and it seemed to run fine but nothing was working. No brake lights, no dash light, not tach.

2012 500 Sport
Automatic
36000 miles

So what would cause this issue?

Everything works but it won't come out of park and as soon as you turn the key on it kills the cluster?

Blinkers don't work and brake lights don't work

No steering lock either

Fog lights don't work and rear defroster.

Wipers work, AC works, stereo works, blue and me works.

 

[varesecrazy]

So today as I was driving and I got a HILL START disabled message and an ESC light. I stopped put it in park and shut off the car, I started it back up and it would not come out of park. So I turned off the key again and started it again and it wouldn't do anything, it started but the cluster was blank, tach didn't work and it wouldn't come out of park. I used the key to push the shift lock, I put it in neutral and started the car. It went into drive and it seemed to run fine but nothing was working. No brake lights, no dash light, not tach.

2012 500 Sport
Automatic
36000 miles

So what would cause this issue?

Everything works but it won't come out of park and as soon as you turn the key on it kills the cluster?

Blinkers don't work and brake lights don't work

No steering lock either

Fog lights don't work and rear defroster.

Wipers work, AC works, stereo works, blue and me works.

Hi, and welcome,
sounds like a basic electrical problem..,
have you had any work done lately?? ( possibility of something not being replaced properly)

another strong possibility is that the cables supplying power to the tailgate / rear hatch have frayed / broken.

both these have happened reasonably frequently in the EURO 500,
posts covering the fixes are here;
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/443163-500-2008-these-problems-connected.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/434578-another-esp-hill-holder-fault-thread-2.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/43741...ll-start-esp-stop-start-transmission-etc.html

Charlie - Oxford - England

 

[bowen71]

So I checked everything again
I posted earlier that the blinkers don't work, they do work they just don't show on the cluster.


So no steering lock, no shift lock and no brake lights and the cluster works when you open the door it shows the time, temp and mileage. As soon as you start the car the cluster goes blank, as soon as you bypass the shift lock it beeps and shows a "P" in the center of the cluster.


I have ordered the brake switch but, I don't really think its the problem. That is what turns on the brake lights and disengages the shift lock and it was a $9 part. As soon as it comes in I will install it and see what it does or at least start from there.


Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the car?

 

[varesecrazy]

SEARCH on the forum in "advanced" will let you search specific sections quite easily.

 

[John202020]

Have you checked the boot wires yet, properly?

 

[Super Uwe]

I would agree with the post above, check the boot wiring and see if the wires are frayed.

https://www.fiatforum.com/500/423837-maybelline-has-thrown-hissy-fit.html

See post 12 from jrkitching, it has a lovely clear picture of what to look for.

Of course this might not be the problem, but it is so often the cause of random electrical gremlins in the 500 on this forum. Other than that, with your car being a 2012 model, it could well be down to the battery starting to fail.

But I would 100% start with the boot wiring first. Let us know how you get on.

 

[bowen71]

So, my car broke down on the 28th my warranty is up on the 29th (Saturday) I called the dealer and they said they will work with me on it so I am towing it to the dealer on Wednesday, wish me luck.

 

[Super Uwe]

So, my car broke down on the 28th my warranty is up on the 29th (Saturday) I called the dealer and they said they will work with me on it so I am towing it to the dealer on Wednesday, wish me luck.

Yes good luck with it. At least you have some ideas to go to your dealer with as well, do keep us updated of progress if you can.

 

[bowen71]

Well, just got a call from the dealer and they say its the brake light switch and the cluster. I don't know how they both died at the exact same time. They are taking it to the warranty manager to see if they will cover it.

 

[T Bay]

It was broke while the car was under warranty, why wouldn't they cover it? They might need a gentle kick up the rear and reminder of what a warranty is.