Grande Punto yellow triangle warning light

[puntobuddy]

Please help, new to forum and to fiats

Hi Ive just bought a 58 plate Fiat Punto Grande and the lights behind the heater and fan controls dont work. There is also a yellow warning triangle on my dashboard display. Could this been the reason for the warning triangle, because these lights are out?

Also, Im assuming its not just a fuse thats blown thats causing this? From what I have read the cigarette lighter and the rear reg plates light all work on the same circuit and they are fine or am I reading that completely wrong in the manual, says they are all on F51 (7.5amp) Dont even think the manual is correct as the fuse box isnt in the place it says it is??? According to my manual, the fuse box is in the little compartment to the right of the steering wheel but its not there!!! Scratching my head, will it be behind the usb port in the glove box???? Sorry for all the questions, Im new and confused.
Desperately seeking some help,thanks!!!!!!:worship:

 

[Pickwick]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

lights behind the heater and fan controls dont work

Probably blown bulbs. There's a replacement guide here. You can access them from behind by removing the radio (radio keys and Torx T25 screwdriver required). Alternatively some people have gone in from below (see guide comments). Trying to remove the front of the heater controls isn't advisable - the thin plastic clips break off easily. The bulbs are the small capless type - 286 12V 1.2W.

There is also a yellow warning triangle on my dashboard display

My manual doesn't list the panel bulbs amongst those that would trigger a warning. This may require further investigation.

Dont even think the manual is correct as the fuse box isn't in the place it says it is???

The illustration shows the left hand drive version. The dashboard fuse box is at the left hand side, behind the glove box. You may need to remove a covering panel. There's a picture here.

 

[Ben D]

Only time I've had yellow warning light is when I have had blown external bulbs but it is always accompanied with a message on the display. May be worth checking you bulbs anyway.

Cheers

 

[puntobuddy]

Thanks for your reply and your help. Going to see if I can change the bulbs first. Will need to experiment to see if this will get rid of the yellow light, if not I'm at a bit of a loss as to why its on, as all my other bulbs are good. Having read the forums might just be loose connection somewhere etc. Really hope so, the car is immaculate, just hope it doesn't have some more expensive fault

 

[Ben D]

Other thing you could check is the connections in the rear lights, corrosion and dampness in there (often from split rear washer hose) can cause issues.

Cheers

 

[puntobuddy]

Went round the car with my brother tonight and noticed one of the headlamp bulbs looked like it had blown, just needed pushed in, must have been loose. Yellow light is out for now. Fingers crossed. I'll also check other connections as suggested. The only thing I found strange that there was no message displayed to give me a clue as to what was wrong when the yellow light was on?? Thanks again for your help and loving my new punto, hope that's it fixed ... otherwise I may well be back looking for more advice

 

[puntobuddy]

Aaaaaaaggggghhhhhh. Thought I'd solved the yellow light issue by fixing my headlamp bulb but its still on. Anybody had yellow light but no message on dash? Any idea what could cause it? :bang:

 

[Pickwick]

Is it a basic triangle (Generic Warning) or a triangle with a circular arrow round it (ESP System Fault)?

 

[puntobuddy]

It's the generic warning light. Basic yellow triangle. Handbook is so vague and no message on dash. I've checked lights, connections etc. Don't know what else to try?? It's not even on all the time. It can be on all the time for some journeys and on and then off for others. It's tempremental

 

[Pickwick]

A diagnostic check would tell you the reason for the light being lit.

Have you come across multiecuscan? It's mentioned in threads on this forum and also has a forum of its own. To use it you'll need a laptop, an ELM 327 interface and, for some of the control units on the Grande, the yellow adapter cable (both available from eBay, see recommendations here). MES is free to download and run in simulation mode but for full functionality you will need to buy a license (50 EUR).

Alternatively you could post your location and ask if there's anyone close by with MES who would run a diagnostic for you. An offer of beer or the like is customary and more likely to get a response.

 

[Bernievarian]

Definitely MES is a must for diagnosing troubles (on Fiat/Alfa/Lancia).
Anyone from the forum could contact me (if in the vicinity) in case of help needed in this matter...
My region is south Belgium, La Louvière area (between Mons and Nivelles), and I would be keen to help ;-)

Regards, Bernie.

 

[jaspar123]

I have had the warning light come on before, with a brief message saying that left tail light was out. Never got the message again but the warning light stayed on until I changed the brake light. I think the warning light is generally to do with braking system but might give a warning if a bulb has blown.

 

[puntobuddy]

Thanks to everyone with your help and advice. Will check out MES you have suggested and see what that tells me. Will update the post with what I find ...

 

[puntobuddy]

So I get in the car ... drive a short distance to the bank, get back in, car made a small noise on turning key and then just stopped working. Lights still work, radio etc. When I turn the key no noise whatsoever, engine light and battery light both come on. Disconnected the battery, cleaned the contacts left for half an hour then reconnected, car started and was able to drive short distance back home. Turned ignition off. Tried to start up again. No life. Same lights appearing again
I give up. . Only had car a week. Sitting in my drive, lifeless. Can work radio lights etc, but that's not getting me to work and back Punto buddy is no longer a buddy of my punto.

 

[puntobuddy]

... update. Went out to car. Just started again with no problems. Diagnostic check is definitely next step.

 

[Pickwick]

If you haven't already found it, have a look at the electrical gremlin thread - maybe you have a failing earth connection? When it happens again, using jump leads as described in that thread should confirm or disprove this.

As @Avocet found recently in this thread the cables may look ok but be corroded within the outer sheath.