Technical Engine light flashes orange, stop-start is disabled then engine light disappears

[kate james]

My Fiat 500,2013 plate had a new timing belt last year and since then when I reach a certain speed the engine light starts flashing and my stop start stops working and says it's disabled (although this has not actually worked for a while - possibly because of this).

I've taken it back to the garage that fitted it and they ran checks and reset it as they said the only error lights that showed were old and it shouldn't come up again but it does almost every time I drive it. It used to be at speed when I was going down hill on motorway but sometimes it occurs on flat and at around 30mph. When I've googled this it said it might be to do with the timing belt and it not being reset properly? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[steveras57]

Hi can i ask was the work done by a proper fiat dealer or a local garage? if not done by fiat!- independent dealers often forget or dont know to reset and update the software in the ecu to account for the new belt and repositioning of the pullys, if your lucky its just this!.

However even for fiat dealers with all the right tools, the timing belt change is tricky on 500,s and its very easy to get it wrong!- if the position is even only one tooth out then things like your problem come up!.

You need to ensure the ecu software update ( look up phonic wheel relearn on this site) is completed ,by the garage that did the work, and also insisting they double check the timing marks! which have to be exactly right!, you could access information regarding issues with timing belt changes on this site and do a print out as evidence !hopefully the garage will be honorable enough to stand by there work.

 

[kate james]

Hi can i ask was the work done by a proper fiat dealer or a local garage? if not done by fiat!- independent dealers often forget or dont know to reset and update the software in the ecu to account for the new belt and repositioning of the pullys, if your lucky its just this!.

However even for fiat dealers with all the right tools, the timing belt change is tricky on 500,s and its very easy to get it wrong!- if the position is even only one tooth out then things like your problem come up!.

You need to ensure the ecu software update ( look up phonic wheel relearn on this site) is completed ,by the garage that did the work, and also insisting they double check the timing marks! which have to be exactly right!, you could access information regarding issues with timing belt changes on this site and do a print out as evidence !hopefully the garage will be honorable enough to stand by there work.

Thanks so much for the reply. It was done by my local garage so not a fiat dealer so that's useful to know - when I took it back there they couldn't find any faults. I'll contact the garage I took it too and a local fiat specialist and go from there. Much appreciated thank you

 

[steveras57]

Thanks so much for the reply. It was done by my local garage so not a fiat dealer so that's useful to know - when I took it back there they couldn't find any faults. I'll contact the garage I took it too and a local fiat specialist and go from there. Much appreciated thank you

your welcome Kate be sure to post up whats happening and if you need more help!
Steve

 

[John202020]

It used to be at speed when I was going down hill on motorway but sometimes it occurs on flat and at around 30mph.

It's all to do with engine speed rather than road, so fast on a motorway or slow in a low gear, your symptoms are classic cam belt changed incorrectly

 

[kate james]

Hi can i ask was the work done by a proper fiat dealer or a local garage? if not done by fiat!- independent dealers often forget or dont know to reset and update the software in the ecu to account for the new belt and repositioning of the pullys, if your lucky its just this!.

However even for fiat dealers with all the right tools, the timing belt change is tricky on 500,s and its very easy to get it wrong!- if the position is even only one tooth out then things like your problem come up!.

You need to ensure the ecu software update ( look up phonic wheel relearn on this site) is completed ,by the garage that did the work, and also insisting they double check the timing marks! which have to be exactly right!, you could access information regarding issues with timing belt changes on this site and do a print out as evidence !hopefully the garage will be honorable enough to stand by there work.

your welcome Kate be sure to post up whats happening and if you need more help!
Steve

Hello ! So took it back to the garage that changed the cam belt to see if they could fix the issue and they couldn’t. They think the problem might be linked to coil pack and plugs but would be £177 and they really don’t know if it would solve the problem so I’ve said not to do it. Do you think the best thing to do now is take it to a Fiat specialist? I am currently selling the car but obviously need this fixed before I can sell it. The light rarely comes on but obviously something is still at fault ! Thanks in advance

 

[kate james]

It's all to do with engine speed rather than road, so fast on a motorway or slow in a low gear, your symptoms are classic cam belt changed incorrectly

Hello ! So took it back to the garage that changed the cam belt to see if they could fix the issue and they couldn’t. They think the problem might be linked to coil pack and plugs but would be £177 and they really don’t know if it would solve the problem so I’ve said not to do it. Do you think the best thing to do now is take it to a Fiat specialist? I am currently selling the car but obviously need this fixed before I can sell it. The light rarely comes on but obviously something is still at fault ! Thanks in advance

 

[John202020]

Two possible issue's
Cam crank correlation procedure not carried out after belt change
Or, still a tooth out
Given it was OK before it was changed? It's got to be the belt change that's messed things up, I've just had ours changed at the Fiat main dealer, not cheap on a 15 year old car @ £460, I'd say go to a fiat main dealer to fix this problem

 

[kate james]

Two possible issue's
Cam crank correlation procedure not carried out after belt change
Or, still a tooth out
Given it was OK before it was changed? It's got to be the belt change that's messed things up, I've just had ours changed at the Fiat main dealer, not cheap on a 15 year old car @ £460, I'd say go to a fiat main dealer to fix this problem

I took it to Fiat dealer and they did a phonic wheel reset (I think lol) and it sorted it ! Thanks so much for your help