General Engine Depollution System Alarm

[Gordy]

I have a 2003 Ulysse Admiral, ex Fiat Ireland. The Engine Depollution System Alarm comes on for no apparent reason, stays on for a couple of days and goes off again. This has been going on since I got the car in August. Back to the dealer several times, under warranty, still not fixed. Many sensors tested plus liasing with Fiat. Also cannot find instructions in the manual for setting the Overspeed Warning Alarm. Fiat are no help. Another problem, in the glove box is an AV connector for a digital camcorder but this icon does not show up on the display. I suspect that the system has not been configured properly but again, Fiat are no help and mine is the only Ulysee that the dealer has seen. Had no serious issues with the vehicle, just niggley bits.

 

[John_K]

Depollution error - I had this as a result of a badly fitted fuel pipe into the pump/filter. Others have seen it because of crap in the filter/pump restricting the flow. Others have seen this with no obvious cause and then it cleared up on its own.

Regarding the AV - you need to be on a relatively recent version of the RT3 control software. I know 5.40 and 5.41 support it - not sure about earlier versions. It may also need to be activated by the dealer.....

John

 

[Stu DemonD]

Hi Gordy and welcome to the forum! Always nice to hear from new users, albeit tends to have problems attached....

Anyway, John_K is right!

I too suffer with the Engine Depollution Light - tends to come on when tanking on motorways, at a constant 80/85 - after about 30 minutes, the light MAY come on. But next day it seems to rectify itself.

Only once, on a long trip down to Eire, did the light come on and then go in recovery mode - that was fun on the M4

I have had a new cat on my car, which had crumbled - however, did not solve the problem. My dealership is still on the case, and are going to try a new lambda sensor, or something. Didn't realise about the pump/filter, so may suggest that as well.

With regards to the AV, mine are working. BUT you need latest versions, as John said, plus it needs to be activated using the 'Examiner' by your dealership.

BTW, what spec is the Admiral? And what engine do you have in it?

Stu

 

[FiatExpert]

Are you sure you have not run out of the special fluid, which mixes with the fuel, or the injector which mixes the special fluid could be faulty.?
]

 

[Gordy]

Thanks for the help.
The dealer has checked the special fluid, it's ok, but Wed. it's in for a replacement of the special fuel pipe,(Not confident that this is the fix.) and the front w/screen washer's on the blink. Needs a new pump they say. I guess that's what a warranty is for. I'll pass all this info on anyway, and I'm curious to see what the AV connection does.
FYI This Ulysse Admiral has the 2.2 JTD diesel engine with most of the whistles and bells as standard. Gordy :bang:

 

[Stu DemonD]

Ok, the AV connection allows you to use the screen! For instance, plug in a digital camera, camcorder, DVD player, etc.

Obviously, shouldn't be legally used whilst driving - in the Examiner setup, there is an option to over-ride the speed cutoff time though.

 

[Gordy]

New fuel pipe in, w/screen washer fixed and the dealer tells me he has configured the overspeed warning alarm. Haven't figured out how to use it yet but I'll fiddle with it tomorrow. Fiat have told the dealer that the AV won't work as not all cars are fitted with them. WEAK. The connector is there, s/ware version is 5.4, why can't Fiat tell the dealer how to configure it? The dealer has given me the config. disk and the "Examiner" disk but I suspect there is more to this than just bunging the "Examiner" in the slot. Any ideas before the blue smoke escapes?
Gordy

 

[Stu DemonD]

The "Examiner" disk? If this is the setup disk, I would advise not playing with it - you risk breaking everything - one of the reasons the car is not shipped with it anymore, well not in the UK. Or have I missed something here

The "Examiner" unit is a touch-screen laptop, that plugs in the port under the dash! Only then can you activate the ports - it is a dealership only procedure - you already have 5.40 installed, so next stage should be easy.

 

[poggy]

Apparently the latest Examiner software does not allow you to unlock the speed restriction on the A/V inputs.

You need to find a dealer with old software apparently.

Andy

 

[Stu DemonD]

Ah, interesting - I must get out more!

Andy, what is on this "Examiner" disk then? And what difference is there to the normal config disk?

 

[poggy]

Hi,

I have no idea, I just remember a post on the Eurovan site about unlocking the A/V sockets and that the latest software on the examiner thing the dealer has wouldn't do it.

My car is the poor version, so I don't have the A/V sockets.

Andy

 

[Gordy]

I tried installing "Examiner" on the PC, a precautionary measure but the PC chucked a wobbly. There's nothing on the Examiner disk worth looking at. Had to do a system restore , PC now ok. But no further ahead. :bang: My dealer (Fiat) does not know how to configure the AV connection and as I said before, Fiat don't seem to be giving him much support. Is this just a Fiat Ireland attitude or does it pervade? Guess I'll just have to keep plugging away at it.Thanks for the help,
Gordy

 

[Stu DemonD]

Hi Gordy

Sorry to hear about your on-going troubles! Sounds like a typical dealership problem, whether FIAT-related or not - you get good ones, you get bad ones.

I know my dealership is very compenent when it comes to any new stuff; one of the reasons why I had a play with Examiner last year, to see the capabilities. Setting up the AV ports took a matter of minutes.

Have you actually plugged anything into the ports? You should also get a new icon within the main Connect+ menu, which allows you to tweak settings.

To be fair, not sure about Fiat Ireland generally, but I will get one of the other moderators onto this and see if he can add something.

 

[Gordy]

Have decided that the Engine Depollution System Alarm will have to be ignored if it continues, but ok so far with new pipe. My dealer's ok, just not up on this particular mass of technology. I haven't had a look at the "Examiner" but I think they are short on instruction re how to use it. I know that I should have a camera icon on the display to allow the AV port to be selected but it does not appear on my display. I think Fiat have also sent the wrong manuals with the vehicle. They lost the originals and have replaced them with ones that don't show all the features on my model. eg. I cannot find any reference to the Overspeed Warning system. I can see it on the display but I don't know how to set it up properly. Still hoping the dealer can get some sense out of Fiat. Its a bit embarassing discovering that you've had a "feature" since buying the vehicle and didn't know you had it. Well, I thought the headlight washers were an optional extra, and I don't stand at the front of the car when I operate the w/screen washers. And I'm sticking to that excuse. Any more tips/advice will be greatly appreciated.
Gordy.

 

[poggy]

To set up the overspeed alarm, you just need to hold (for a few seconds) in the button when you are in the overspeed menu and it will set the alarm to the speed you are going. If you then go over this at anytime it bleeps. I am afraid it isn't that useful. To switch off you press the button again, the length of the arrow shows whether you have to hold the button in for a long or short period to activate the option.

Andy

 

[Steven]

Hi Gordy, welcome to the forum.

Where in Ireland are you located? I'm in NI and to be fair the two Belfast dealers are very helpful. I lived in the South for 5 years and the Fiat dealers there do leave a lot to be desired. The most competant Irish dealer I came across was Tractamotors in Blanchardstown. If you're in the Dublin area I'd recommend them. If you're not getting any joy give Fiat Auto Ireland a call on (01) 4034433. They can usually put a rocket up a dealers arse...

 

[Gordy]

I've tried using the Overspeed Warning in the way suggested but had the feeling that it could do more. Wrong again. FYI Steve, I'm in Dublin and my dealer is Barrable Motors of Feltrim (near Swords). I know Tractamotors, one of the deakers I went to looking for a car before I took the plunge. I think Fiat are being a bit cagey about releasing the info I need. Perhaps they are just ignorant about the vehicle themselves, though I do believe there is a guru in their office who could help me out. Why don't they invite me to bring the car around so that he can show me what I need to know? Might be helpful if Fiat were to post some info on this forum once in a while. I'll suggest it to their Customer Services manager. Engine Depollution System Alarm is still holding up. Fingers crossed,
Gordy

 

[Stu DemonD]

Hi Gordy

I agree that the Overspeed warning is a waste of time - at least in the Stilo, you can set a speed limit when stationary, without having to be at that speed then have a play with buttons.

There is a 'hints n tips' sticky thread in this forum, but I need to do some updating of it over xmas - the idea is for new drivers like yourself to get a quick run-down of the car in one thread, lol - nice idea, just takes time.

 

[Gordy]

Spoke too soon, the alarm came on again today, I made sure I waited until the glow plug went out before I started the engine too. Guess I'll just have to ignore it. Hi Steve, I'm based in Dublin and I know TractaMotors although I bought from Barrable Motors of Feltrim (near Swords). I'll have to try and organise a meeting with Fiat's guru in Ireland. There must be somebody capable of configuring these AV sockets. I wonder if Fiat ever look at this forum, or even know of it's existence. They could get a lot of valuable feedback from it and maybe remove some customer dissatisfaction. If they ever speak to me again I'll mention it.
Gordy

 

[John_K]

Oh they watch all right - they just sit quietly in the background unless they spot something they don't like, and then they'll make themselves known to those that need to know........

So a word of warning - if you do anything that might put your warranty in doubt, don't say anything about it here!

(I'll qualify that a bit - I know Fiat UK watch from time to time - I can't speak for other countries!)