Technical Resetting the service indicator

[ddclutch]

Is there a way I can reset the service indicator myself? Its a 2009 GP.
The car was last serviced just 4000 miles ago by a Fiat garage but the indicator (spanner symbol) has just popped up. It is now 18,000 miles since the service before last so it is clear the indicator wasn't reset last time as it should have been.

Someone told me to ignore it and the symbol will go off after a while. Is this true?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Unlike most of the rest of the cars in our family, which you can reset by pressing dash board buttons/brake pedals/etc, I don't think you can do Fiats without an electronic tool. I use Multiecuscan on both our 2010 Panda and my boy's 2012 Punto. A great tool. Reasonably affordable (there's a free version you can download from their website and try in simulation mode to see if you like it). A lot of people on here use it and there's a lot of posts you could have a look at so plenty of backup help available.

PS For a quick fix though I'd try just going back to the garage that did the service and complain. The reset should have been an automatic part of the service. It is quick and easy to do. I would think they would just do it for you.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Just occurred to me to ask, is it a diesel? I don't have any experience with newer diesels but I do know that the engine ECU on such needs to be told that the service has been done or it won't do DPF regenerations properly which then leads to all sorts of expensive problems.

 

[varesecrazy]

Is there a way I can reset the service indicator myself? Its a 2009 GP.
The car was last serviced just 4000 miles ago by a Fiat garage but the indicator (spanner symbol) has just popped up. It is now 18,000 miles since the service before last so it is clear the indicator wasn't reset last time as it should have been.

Someone told me to ignore it and the symbol will go off after a while. Is this true?

SOME of these items are supposedly 'adaptive'


Where harsh conditions shorten the intervals..

But I suspect they didnt clear all of the service stuff correctly.


Multifranchise.. or dedicated FIAT servicing?

 

[ddclutch]

PS For a quick fix though I'd try just going back to the garage that did the service and complain. The reset should have been an automatic part of the service. It is quick and easy to do. I would think they would just do it for you.

I am a new owner. Service book is stamped and I have the garage receipt so I know it was serviced but the garage is not local. Going back to them isn't really practical. I will probably do a service in the summer when it will be 12 months on from the last one. Though by mileage it isn't due for another 14,000 mils and I won't do that much in the next 5 months.

PS No its not a diesel. 8v 1.4

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I am a new owner. Service book is stamped and I have the garage receipt so I know it was serviced but the garage is not local. Going back to them isn't really practical. I will probably do a service in the summer when it will be 12 months on from the last one. Though by mileage it isn't due for another 14,000 mils and I won't do that much in the next 5 months.

PS No its not a diesel. 8v 1.4

So, 8v 1.4 just like my son's, and you're going to do your own maintenance by the sound of what you're saying? If so you really need to buy your own version of MES (Multiecuscan). Have a word with the helpful people at Gendan official distributors). Even if you don't buy from them you'll find them very helpful. The MES website is well worth a visit too although sometimes, due to my ignorance and general "Tech" ignorance, I find a quick call to Gendan (I bought from them) to be more helpful.

 

[g8rpi]

I am a new owner. Service book is stamped and I have the garage receipt so I know it was serviced but the garage is not local. Going back to them isn't really practical. I will probably do a service in the summer when it will be 12 months on from the last one. Though by mileage it isn't due for another 14,000 mils and I won't do that much in the next 5 months.

PS No its not a diesel. 8v 1.4

Worth calling the garage to make sure it's not a fake entry, it's been known. If you are not 100% sure it was done it would be worth getting a new filter and oil change.
If you want to do a reset this proceedure wors on many Fiats
1-turn on the ignition key,
2-press the gas pedal and hold it,
3-press the brake pedal 7 times without relesing the gas pedal,
4-keep pressing the gas pedal for 60sec.
5-Release the gas pedal and turn of the ignition key,
6- Wait for 60sec.
Then turn on the ignition key and start the engine. Check if the service/oil change light turned off.


If you are going to do your own maintenence then Multiecuscan is a investment you won't regret.

Robert G8RPI.

 

[ddclutch]

Worth calling the garage to make sure it's not a fake entry, it's been known. If you are not 100% sure it was done it would be worth getting a new filter and oil change.
If you want to do a reset this proceedure wors on many Fiats
1-turn on the ignition key,
2-press the gas pedal and hold it,
3-press the brake pedal 7 times without relesing the gas pedal,
4-keep pressing the gas pedal for 60sec.
5-Release the gas pedal and turn of the ignition key,
6- Wait for 60sec.
Then turn on the ignition key and start the engine. Check if the service/oil change light turned off.


If you are going to do your own maintenence then Multiecuscan is a investment you won't regret.

Robert G8RPI.

Thanks for that. You left out the chicken sacrifice, but I will give it a go.

I am pretty confident the service receipt and service book entries are genuine - It was a t the same garage for the last 7 service book entries and all of the mileages, service intervals and MOT history stacks up as it should. Even the oil filter has the service date written on it with a permanant marker pen!

I wil take a look at the Multiecuscan. I have a OBD reader already which I tried on this car and it links up ok, though showed no faults.

 

[ddclutch]

I tried g8rpi Robert's mystic method but it didn't work. Mind, I couldn't find a handy chicken.

When I start the car it briefly shows the message "Service coupon expired" then the spanner symbol appears and remains at bottom right of the screen. As I know it was serviced I will probably just live with that for now. Unless anyone else has any bright ideas?

I like this forum - there is enough interest and members that one does get a discussion and responses to questions - unlike some sites.

 

[g8rpi]

I tried g8rpi Robert's mystic method but it didn't work. Mind, I couldn't find a handy chicken.

When I start the car it briefly shows the message "Service coupon expired" then the spanner symbol appears and remains at bottom right of the screen. As I know it was serviced I will probably just live with that for now. Unless anyone else has any bright ideas?

I like this forum - there is enough interest and members that one does get a discussion and responses to questions - unlike some sites.

Sorry it didn’t work for you. It’s not “mine” but is reported to work on diesels. Maybe it only works on Bosh ECUs. You should download Multiecuscan (MES) from www.multiecuscan.net and have a play. Click the simulate button instead of connect and play in your armchair.



To do anything on the GP with MES you need to register it at a cost of €50. You also need an interface and at least a “yellow” A3 adaptor lead. An example on ebay is: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Diagnostics-Italian-Cars-Fiat-Alfa-ELM-OBD2-cables-adapters-MULTIECUSCAN/281712496622 I’ve bought from this suppler. You could try your existing interface with an adaptor www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Fiat-Lancia-YELLOW-OBD-Lead-Cable-Adaptor-3-CAN-MultiECUScan-FiatECUScan/153307479951 (not used the seller), but there is a known design error that causes issues. If “remove the 120Ω surface mount resistor” makes sense to you and you have a DMM you can check your existing interface.


Most garages won’t reset a service light without at least changing the oil and filter for liability reasons. If you are near Cambridge I can do it for you.


Robert G8RPI

 

[ddclutch]

Thanks for all that help Robert, and the links. Very interesting. I just need to decide how deeply I want to or need to get into this stuff. First Fiat I have owned, although I have had several Alfa's in the past (147, 156, 159 and two gtv's)

 

[ddclutch]

Just going back to this thread, for completeness and in case it might be of help/ interest to others. The question was about getting rid of the service interval reminder (spanner symbol).

After 1000 miles it suddenly diappeared of its own accord - just when I had got used to ignoring it! I know it hasn't reset to the correct interval, but I know when it is due anyway and won't need reminding.