I started up my 500 a week ago, and everything worked fine, but AI got a warning light and the Stop/Start deactivated.

I turned off the engine, and back on again, but the instrument cluster panel (fuel, revs, speedo, temperature etc.) was completely black - no LEDs at all. Even the indicator 'ticking' sounds can't be heard (although hazard lights do make the sounds).

Fuse-wise, I have changed all fuses, disconnected the battery, and even tried a different battery (also Fiat 500), and pleasingly, this worked - until I was about a mile into a journey and the warning lights came back on again - then, upon starting the engine, black background again.

I've been reading as much as I can about this, and I am reluctant to spend £££'s if it is a case of checking wiring/connections or something simple - essentially something I could do myself.

Could anyone be a star and let me know the things they think/know this could be, and how I would go about checking the wiring, connections etc.?

Thanks so much!
J

Check the main earth cable from the battery to ....earth, by that I mean check that it has not broken down internally, easiest way is get a jump lead and clip it between the earth and the battery negative ( duplicates the existing earth lead) If this temporary setup cures your problem, then replace the original lead

Ken

Mad one said:

Check the main earth cable from the battery to ....earth, by that I mean check that it has not broken down internally, easiest way is get a jump lead and clip it between the earth and the battery negative ( duplicates the existing earth lead) If this temporary setup cures your problem, then replace the original lead

Ken

Click to expand...

Thanks for this Ken!

I have tried this, and the same problem seems to be occuring. I've gone through around 10 5amp fuses already <arghh>!

I'm going to change the stop light switch now, and see if that might've been causing the issue. Otherwise, I might have to take her in...

Thanks again, much appreciated

Update: I have now also replaced the brake/stop light switch, and again the same result.

Can anyone help any further with this, as I am struggling myself.

Jimmy, reading your original post, I couldn’t see where you said you actually blew fuses, I thought you meant that you had pulled all the fuses to check them.....my bad

You must have a bad short to earth, unfortunately these can be a right pain to find, however if you changed the battery and it was ok ( albeit for a very short time ) I would strongly suggest to recheck the main positive cable between the battery and the alternator or at least in that area is not chafing against anything for a start.

If all else fails, try to find a decent auto electrician, best of luck

Ken