Technical ABS, Handbrake & Fuel light staying on

[wexfordguy]

Hi Folks

Im driving a 2003 doblo van. When i came back from holidays in January the battery was dead so i had to jump start it with a set of leads.

Since then the ABS & Handbrake light has remained lit on the dashboard. Its not fully lit but can be seen glowing faintly and is more prominent at night when the headlights are switched on.

When you switch off the engine they remain lit for a few more seconds then fade out.

I replaced the battery about a month ago because i was still having problems the odd morning when it would be dead. Last week i came out on the new battery was dead again.

I left it in for a service with my local mechanic (not a fiat dealer) and he replaced the positive battery connector.

The lights are still on on the dashboard, anyone got a suggestion?

 

[Ozzie1989]

There is definately something wrong with the wiring or a relay here that's causing a drain on the battery and also causing dash lights to eliminate. If you're any good with cars yourself you can take a multimeter to the battery and see what currents are being drawn from it (don't do it if you don't know what your doing though) and trace the problem.

However there are so many electrics this will be hard, you're better off going 2 a Fiat dealer, having it plugged into their diagnostic equipment and it'll probably tell them straight away what it is. Most of the time they will just re set the cars computer and it will solve the problem.

Here are some other posts that may be of help to you:
https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=26699
https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=38922&highlight=dash+light

Apart from these can't see anything else, but as I said, probably a computer problem Hope this helps!

 

[NumanR]

I have never used a computer to reset an ecu to correct excessive current drain.
The only way to test the systems would be to measure current draw at the battery and then isolate each circuit until the current drain stops.
Also check the charging circuit as an intermittent fault with the charging circuit can cause similar problems.
just out of interest does the interior fan work all ok?

 

[Ozzie1989]

You'll be surprised what problems the ECU or computer can cause. It was the source of a dead battery on many occasions on a Landrover.... and that was down to the computer logging errors for the ABS and emitting the dash light, since the computer was working overtime and constantly, it was causing the current drain. A quick disconnect of the battery and the sensor sorted no problems since.

I know a Fiat isn't quite a Landrover, but I thought I may as well put it down anyway... I'm no expert just trying to help

 

[NumanR]

Have quite alot of experience with Fiats, and like I say have never seen it cause current draw, as few of the ecus are supplied when ignition off.

 

[Ozzie1989]

In that case... I take it back Hope you get the problems fixed!

 

[alfavan]

Hello Wexfordman

I'm just up the road from you in Wicklow.
Whatever you do don't leave your Doblo into John Linnane Motors in Rathnew - main Fiat dealer. A right shower in there. My 02 Doblo JTD SX was up for her first DOE last August. I didn't know it needed one until the tax was returned. I took 8 weeks to get an appointment. Finally she went in and failed. The wrong back tyres were fitted. They had a load rating of 88 and as my van is the extra cargo van they should have been 95/93. Well guess what Goodyear / Dunlop don't import that tyre into Ireland as no manufacturer has requested them. Linnane's were very surprised, mine was the first etc. They eventually agreed to lend me wheels from the new van to pass the DoE, so I could tax her. Fiat customer care said they would look into the problem. While I was getting the loan of the new wheels, guess what I found an identical van in for a service with the correct tyres - Pirelli do them. The parts manager finally managed to source them at €250 for the pair. They refused to fit them foc as it was their fault that I have been driving around for 3 years essentially uninsured. I wrote to Fiat as so far they have ignored me. I'll have to take my case to a higher level.

Hopefully you get your van sorted.

 

[wexfordguy]

Hi Folks

Just an update on the situation, Dropped the van into my local fiat dealer and they had it up on their computer and looked at it this morning for over an hour and we are all none the wiser.

They reckon it will be a big job (and expensive) trying to find this small fault.

Im wondering now, can i disconnect the dashboard bulbs some way. My last car was a peugeot 406 and they had minute bulbs in the dashboard behind each light. I have to submit the van for a doe test, and cant tax it without the doe cert.

Alfa i had the same problem as you regarding the tires when i went for my doe last year, but i paid nothing near what you paid. I think it was 145 euro or 150 for a pair of the pirelli in enniscorthy.

Im getting a whole set of tyres in the next 3/4 weeks so ill let you know what they are costing.

Everything else is fine with van except for these lights on the dash.

 

[wexfordguy]

Alfa

got a set of 4 pirelli P3000 reinforced tyres for 300 euro from Tyreworld at the esso garage on the island road in enniscorthy.