New Node Required?: Blue&Me Stopped & Flashing Mileage after new alternator fitted

So I had a problem with the alternator a few weeks ago (due to rain water getting into the engine bay via the GP design fault and busting up the previous one - have since improvised a solution to that). So I got a local garage to fit a new one, plus replace the wiring loom to my rear boot lock as the dash thought it was open when it wasn't (I'd already fitted a brand new lock so knew that wasn't due to water ingress).

However, after getting it back from the garage, I found that Blue&Me didn't work and the mileage was flashing when the ignition was on.

There are a few threads on this topic already, like this one:
fiatforum.com/500/143133-problem-flashing-mileage-blue-me-steering-wheel-controls.html
but they seem to talk about an examiner, and/or CAN realignment.

Well, I've taken it to a local Fiat Garage after they said the computer might need a reboot which I'm assuming is the same as a CAN realignment?

The 15-20 min job turned into about a 50 min job and they didn't manage to resolve it. They didn't charge me mind, but told me the "Node" needs replacing, and quoted me ~£450 to a new one...plus labour...plus VAT and my fiat discount wouldn't apply as it's a "special part".

Seems a lot of money just to listen to mp3 music...but it does devalue the car.

So, I'm wondering if there's any extra checks to make, like wiring, rather than replacing a whole node,
or,
whether it's possible to buy a second hand node, similar to the replacement body computer unit mentioned in this thread: fiatforum.com/punto-ii/289815-faulty-body-computer-cause-faulty-power-steering-broken-central-locking.html#post2928771 (and if so any recommendations on where?)

Any advice would be appreciated.

My Grande Punto is a 1.9 MJet and is out of warranty - it's a Sep 07 reg.
I've had steering issues in the past if that's relevant but they seem to disappear in the summer months.

Re: New Node Required?: Blue&Me Stopped & Flashing Mileage after new alternator fitte

start with the simple things..


take the battery off for an hour and try again

Re: New Node Required?: Blue&Me Stopped & Flashing Mileage after new alternator fitte

:yeahthat:

And go elsewhere. To say you need a node replacing is ridiculous. A node is a generic name for a part of the computer network. They should have said what needed changing, blue & me ECU etc.

Re: New Node Required?: Blue&Me Stopped & Flashing Mileage after new alternator fitte

I've had steering issues in the past if that's relevant but they seem to disappear in the summer months.

Click to expand...

When was the last time your battery was changed?

Re: New Node Required?: Blue&Me Stopped & Flashing Mileage after new alternator fitte

I'll give the battery disconnection a go tonight, as suggested above and report back.

The battery is a year old; it's a S5005 BOSCH Car Battery - I bought it last year to see if it fixed the steering problems in the winter and give me some more cranking power.

Re: New Node Required?: Blue&Me Stopped & Flashing Mileage after new alternator fitte

If the convergence module could not be proxy-aligned then beside checking the supplies to the blue and me it needs replaced. Buy a secondhand unit.

Re: New Node Required?: Blue&Me Stopped & Flashing Mileage after new alternator fitte

Thanks folks.
I left the battery disconnected for a good hour and it made no difference.

I did notice yesterday that quite randomly the dash mileage was not flashing as I drove, but the Blue&Me still didn't work; in fact the buttons on the steering wheel had no impact. Today it's flashing again.

How does one check the supplies to the blue and me?
Is that a DIY jobby or a specialist task?

I think I've a workshop manual on CD somewhere.

Re: New Node Required?: Blue&Me Stopped & Flashing Mileage after new alternator fitte

open glovebox, undo 2 x torx20 screws and lower convergence (blue and me module) and undo the blue plug. Consult your manual for which terminals are live and earth.