Shop4Parts - UK's largest online superstore for FIAT and Alfa Romeo parts

Technical All kinds of warning lights...

Currently reading:
Technical All kinds of warning lights...

msted89

msted89

New member
Parked in the garage
Joined
Mar 31, 2014
Messages
120
Points
24
Location
Norfolk
This is make it or break it time for me. When I finally think I have it running sweet ANOTHER thing crops up. Just had an interesting drive home that's baffled me...

When started I noticed the idle speed a little higher than the norm. Soon after setting off the battery light came on and engine felt... lazy. I then noticed my power steering would not work at low speed and my wipers took a good while to complete one wipe. Within the next few miles I had warnings for ESP, ABS, Air bag failure, hill holder, power steering and a message telling me to check my manual. Toward the end of my 12 mile journey home I lost my power steering completely at 50/60mph and headlights dimmed, rear brake lights and indicators either not working or extremely dull.

This didn't all happen at once, each thing popped up after every mile or so resulting in a complete failure of almost everything except the engine itself. Never experienced it before. Pretty damn dangerous to be fair :mad:

I've not got my ecu reader to hand until the weekend but I did manage to get a new battery which I've now fitted. I left it disconnected for 30 mins but I still have an airbag failure warning message. everything else seems ok but I haven't had a chance to take it for a drive.

I love it to bits but its really becoming a Fix It Again Tomorrow kinda car :cry:

Any thoughts and previous experiences would be GREATLY appreciated! Don't want my next post to be a link to the classifieds (n)
 
All the symptoms are related to electrical problems. Test alternator / check cables etc.
 
Sorted it! I've changed the alternator and it's all fixed however I still get occasional loss of power steering while parking or pulling away. Battery light is on and off too but I guess it's just a case of time and letting the alternator charge the battery back to normal. Driving to and from work in the dark isn't doing any favors! It's showing over 14v on tick over so all should be good and the new alternator is doing its job. Thanks for the advice guys!
 
Update...

Tested with the multi-meter today whilst doing some investigation and shows 14.3v throughout the rev range with everything switched on to the max (full beams, fogs, fan, heated screen, stereo etc...). 13.1 from the battery. The new alternator seems to be fine. However the power steering fault is still there at a crawling speed. Its fine on initial start up, as is city mode. But once revs hit between 2.5 to 3 the battery light comes on and power steering goes and it wont come back unless I'm at 5mph or more. Simply restarting the engine will reactivate the motor, but it will disappear in the same way. Checked all earths, fuses and relays today. All seem fine. Its got to be the motor itself. I've not had a chance to test it yet as it got a bit late. I have a multiecuscan on its way so once I read the motors control module I might have a little more to go on.

Will keep you posted, seems quite a few people have had this problem over the winter period :bang:
 
Another update.

Still the same, battery light still appearing with loss of EPS. Checked the continuity of all earth points under the bonnet and all were ok.

Hooked up my laptop and my multiecuscan to see if any codes are stored on the steering control module and it was ok... voltage being supplied was bang on. Checked this when battery light was off and on. This now rules out the steering motor.

Engine ECU shows P0621 - Alternator D+ Signal - (Permanent).

My alternator has only just been replaced!! So I cleared the fault however it returned immediately. So I am assuming the alternator fitted is unfit for purpose OR my ECU is playing up. Contemplating getting an alternator direct from Fiat now... I've heard some stories about 'alternative' and 'remanufactured' units causing very similar symptoms.

Just out of interest, has anyone else managed to cure their alternator and battery issues yet? A few of us had similar issues after new alternators have been fitted and asked for advice on here but it all seems to have gone quiet with no conclusion!?! :bang:
 
Just tested the continuity of the signal wire from its terminal on the alternator to the ecu and I'm getting a static 173 reading. Gonna take it to an auto electrician as I don't really want to mess around with the loom to the ecu myself. Will post back when I know more. Hopefully it just needs a new wire if not there may be a fault in the ecu...
 
msted89 said:
Just tested the continuity of the signal wire from its terminal on the alternator to the ecu and I'm getting a static 173 reading. Gonna take it to an auto electrician as I don't really want to mess around with the loom to the ecu myself. Will post back when I know more. Hopefully it just needs a new wire if not there may be a fault in the ecu...
Click to expand...

:idea: put a small / lightweight 12V supply onto the D+ wire..

see if your charge light goes out

could be it's the actual resistance within the brush pack..,:confused:
might save you £50 with an auto electrician..,

Charlie
 
varesecrazy said:
:idea: put a small / lightweight 12V supply onto the D+ wire..

see if your charge light goes out

could be it's the actual resistance within the brush pack..,:confused:
might save you £50 with an auto electrician..,

Charlie
Click to expand...

What is the best way to put a 12v feed through the wire? Will a direct feed from the battery be too much?
 
cmosfxx said:
Is the new alternator an original part?
Click to expand...

All fixed now! Turns out the new alternator was faulty! The terminal where the signal wire connects to the alternator was the culprit and was stopping the ECU from sending the signal to begin excitation under load! This in turn would cause the steering motor to shut down because although it is receiving the correct voltage, it is not receiving the correct current! Thank God it wasn't the ECU!

Thanks for all the suggestions...

Every forum and thread I found on the P0621 fault had no successful conclusion what so ever. I just wish people would post more results and definitive solutions so that it will help others!

Hopefully this thread will help others cure the P0621 fault after shelling out for a brand new battery and alternator!! :D
 
I've seen the p0621 on my GP too. It's never present though.

It's also rare to show up again soon after clearing the code. I think it must be the energizing cable but never really bothered me 2 years now. (No charging issues etc... Yet :p )
 
cmosfxx said:
I've seen the p0621 on my GP too. It's never present though.

It's also rare to show up again soon after clearing the code. I think it must be the energizing cable but never really bothered me 2 years now. (No charging issues etc... Yet :p )
Click to expand...

You should really check it out! Might be a simple fix. It was also causing an intermittant airbag fault on mine, U1726 & B1005. I'm guessing it was for the same reason my steering was playing up. Better to be safe than sorry! :p
 
Last edited:
Hi there, congrats to msted89 !
I wish (as Him) that everybody finally finding a solution to their problems would take the time to come back to the forum and give others the precious information...
Good to get the solution but GREAT to give it !!

Regards, Bernie
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Technical No fps, warning lights and flashing odometer
Replies
4
Views
529
mtimm
M
B
Technical Amber triangle warning ⚠️ Intermittent issue
Replies
1
Views
467
AnthonyH
AnthonyH
JackMason
General Third Brake Light not working
Replies
10
Views
411
Greasytrucker
Greasytrucker
Redeagle
Technical Re brake lights
Replies
6
Views
318
Redeagle
Redeagle
naid117
Technical Loss of Throttle - Bad Clutch
Replies
1
Views
57
jalopear
J
Back
Top