General How Strange!

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General How Strange!

bwatman

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Aug 24, 2010
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Location
Downham Market, Norfolk
Can you suggest why?
I have been shielding due to Covid therefore this week was the first time I have been able to get to my fiat ducato motorhome since March.

The whole electrics were dead & the engine battery failed.
I have installed a new engine battery and engine starts and runs fine. Alarm & door locking oK now.

I have not given it a run out yet.

However, the diesel level warning light (yellow petrol pump) now comes on for 2/3 minutes then goes off again for 2/3 minutes. The tank was filled before storage.
and very strangely the total mileage number (in Kilometres) is ticking upwards by itself even though the van is stationary and has not moved an inch since March. It has put on almost 3,000 kilometres since switching it on!

What is going on and what do I need to get done to get it sorted?
I have no access to any diagnostic equipment.

Fiat ducato 244, 2.8jtd, turbo, 2003
 
Hi,

It does seem rather strange, but I have read that some vehicle electronics do not like a slowly decaying battery voltage, as will occur when a battery is slowly discharged.

As an inexpensive test, you could try disconnecting the starter battery negative for say half an hour, and then reconnect. This may reset something, but I would not be too hopeful.

If the above procedure does not yield any result, I can only suggest that you seek the assistance of a company such as Cartronix who specialise in instrument panel repairs.

I have no connection with this company, but I have seen them recommended on another forum.

https://cartronix.co.uk//

Please post as to the outcome on this thread.

If you require advice on how to remove the instrument panel, I should be able to help, as I have had mine out several times.
 
Last edited:
Well, I disconnected the negative terminal and replaced it but the fault remains.

Mileage/kilometre reading still going up by itself when van static (now reading 4000 Kmts more and I have not moved from parking spot! and diesel (yellow) warning light comes on then goes off every few minutes (tank full).

Central locking, lights, ancillaries all work OK.

Do I need to get the ECU reset?

What about the extra mileage showing but not done?
 
Just an update and thank you to Communicator.
I removed the instrument cluster and send it off to Cartronix, the firm you mentioned.
Excellent service, communications and turnaround. Highly recommend.
The cluster had numerous faults and some led corrosion.
All fixed and working as should be.
Lesson learnt - do not let the engine battery go completely dead!
 
Just an update and thank you to Communicator.
I removed the instrument cluster and send it off to Cartronix, the firm you mentioned.
Excellent service, communications and turnaround. Highly recommend.
The cluster had numerous faults and some led corrosion.
All fixed and working as should be.
Lesson learnt - do not let the engine battery go completely dead!

That is indeed good news, and good for yourself on coming back with an update and thanking the member who helped you out. That’s the way things should work on here. ;)
 
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