Technical Engine light on but no fault code? Any ideas?

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Technical Engine light on but no fault code? Any ideas?

DurhamDad

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Hi all, hoping you can help me.

My daughter's 2012 1.4 Panda is about due for an MOT.

The engine check light is flashing but when checked with my code reader (JDiag JD201), it reported no codes stored. It's definitely connected ok as I can read the live data with no issues.
Thinking it was the reader missing something a friend tried his bluetooth reader, which also reported no fault codes found.

We both tried deleting stored codes but of course there was nothing to delete!
Also tried disconnecting the battery but the light flashes when reconnected and started.

The car starts, runs and ticks over absolutely fine, so now I'm at a loss what to do or try next.

Anyone have any ideas?
 
Thanks for the reply.
It’s a 1.4 petrol.
The yellow mil light, looks like an engine and gearbox.
 
Flashing is usually an indication of a misfire. If the car doesn’t know what is causing it, then it might not store a code.

But Italians are temperamental and they don’t always work with every aftermarket code reader, so while the date might show on the reader the car isn’t giving up all its secrets.

I’d check plugs and leads, make sure nothing is untoward and that nothing is cracked or broken. Also see if you can get someone with a full diagnostic kit or a copy of MES software to read the codes.
 
Thanks Andy, I'll check today.
It's just weird as the car is running sweet as a nut!
 
Is there such a model as a 2012 1.4 litre petrol Panda? As far as I know the 100HP was the only 1.4 engine, but that was the previous model of Panda.
 
You’re absolutely right, thanks for pointing that out. That’s what I get for believing my (blonde) daughter! :)
It’s actually 1242cc DOH!
 
I've managed to get a fault code of:

P1300-55 Phonic wheel missed self learning - not configured.

We cleared it but it came back instantly.

Not all I have to do is find out what the hell that means!
 
Well that was surprisingly easy! After a few minutes googling and looking at guides and posts on this wonderful site, it's fixed! :)

Rapidly touching wood and crossing fingers.

All it needed was:
1. Idle till 1/2 way on temp gauge
2. Rev up to 5,000rpm hold for 3 seconds
3. Let it drop down to idle
4. Rev to 5,000rpm hold for 3 seconds
5. Drop to idle
6. Rev to 5,000rpm hold for 3 seconds
7. Drop to idle.

A huge thank you to all that replied and the Fiat Forum in general. (y)
 
when you see "phonic wheel" and the word "learn" together it's almost certain that the ECU is not "happy" with the relationship between the signal it's receiving from the crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor. This is often the case when a new cam/timing belt has been fitted but can come about for other reasons. The engine needs to relearn the relationship between the signal from these two sensors and it's called a "Phonic Wheel Relearn". If the MIL is already flashing you may well get it done by following the recommended procedure which is basically to get the engine to normal running temp and then rev it (in neutral, standing still) between 5000 and 6000 rpm very briefly - it doesn't need to be held at high revs - letting it back to idle each time before reving again. You do this 3 times (MES says 2 to 3 times) then switch off, wait ten seconds and restart the engine. This should set it all up. My local dealer tells me that they always perform a Phonic wheel relearn when renewing a cam belt.

I've never had to do this on either of our cars (and it's not all engine versions that need it - ours are 8valve 1.2 in a panda and 1.4 in a Punto) and I'm interested in the MES recommended procedure which would seem to indicate that, when you punch the "execute button" in the program, it does some sort of preliminary wipe to ready the ECU to accept the new sensor positions which it's going to learn by this "reving up" procedure.

Of course If you haven't had a belt done recently one has to ask why it thinks it needs a relearn because it would imply that the ECU has "forgotten" or doesn't recognize the current relationship between the camshaft and crankshaft. Lot's of reasons why this might be but most obvious might be that the belt has jumped a tooth? So, how old is the belt?

Anyway there's something to be getting on with. I think probably a proper relearn can probably only be done with the Fiat dealer tool or a fully licenced copy of MES? However if the MIL is already flashing that might indicate that it's ready to accept data? Worth a try? but not if the belt is an unknown quantity - 6000 rpm on an old or worn/damaged/slack belt means tears!
 
Cheers folks. Yes checking the belt is a very good idea, glad you suggested it. Now next on the list after the mot next week! :)
 
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