Technical flashing dash warning lights

[DIZI]

I own a purple 64 plate 500 (pretty sure it's a Lounge, it has the non-opening glass roof)

When indicating right the other day (yes I do indicate when going right AND left ) I noticed that there are two other warning lights that flash in time with the indicator, but stop when I put the indicator off.

It only happens with the right hand indicator - I've looked in the manual, the 1st light is the one that looks like a padlock (code system failure light), the second is the engine shaped one (injection system fail) - and they only come on and flash when the indicator is working, and go out and behave themselves when indicator is not on.

Asked my garage over the phone - they said not to panic (I wasn't), OK to keep driving it, and to drop in sometime and they'll plug her in and find out what's what - but before I go I thought I'd ask you knowledgeable lot :worship: what it might be, or if it's happened to you.

No doubt you'll tell me if it's going to be pricey or not

 

[jrkitching]

When indicating right the other day (yes I do indicate when going right AND left ) I noticed that there are two other warning lights that flash in time with the indicator, but stop when I put the indicator off.

It only happens with the right hand indicator - I've looked in the manual, the 1st light is the one that looks like a padlock (code system failure light), the second is the engine shaped one (injection system fail) - and they only come on and flash when the indicator is working, and go out and behave themselves when indicator is not on.

This issue gets reported quite frequently here.

Sadly this is indicative of an instrument cluster fault, and the only known fix is to replace the cluster.

No doubt you'll tell me if it's going to be pricey or not

It certainly will be if you go to a main dealer, but if you source a secondhand replacement cluster from any of the usual places and either fit it yourself, or find a competent independent to do it for you, it will likely be much cheaper.

If you do want to fit a secondhand cluster, be sure to find one that has less recorded mileage than yours; it can be adjusted up, but not down.

 

[typecastboy]

Yup, regular fault. You can buy one on eBay for about £60 or less. Easy to fit. Give me a shout if you decide to do it and I’ll happily talk you through how.

 

[DIZI]

thanks jrkitching and typecastboy - looks like I'm off to wander round ebay in that case!

Many thanks for your help and comments, OH says he'll have a go if we can find one (he's been "bitten" before by other garages fixing easyish stuff and being charged a fortune)

Will definitely take you up on the talk through offer typecastboy, if we get stuck

I used to Dizi the Qubo - now a.k.a. Tiggy the 500

 

[MazFiat500]

This is exact fault I’m having . Been to Fiat and paid for diagnostics. No fault with the vehicle it’s an internal fault in the instrument cluster. They don’t strip down and repair they only replace . Quote £550. I’m 6 weeks out of warranty. Car is 2014, very low mileage. I’m second owner and only got the car last October . I’m on PCP finance. I’ve just joined this forum today to try and get some advice on what to do next . All help appreciated as new to the forum. ?

 

[MazFiat500]

P.S.. tell me if I’m not posting correctly or anything. I only joined 5 minutes ago x

 

[typecastboy]

Buy one on ebay with lower mileage than your car and change it. You can pick them up for less than £50. Easy to change.

 

[jrkitching]

This is exact fault I’m having . Been to Fiat and paid for diagnostics. No fault with the vehicle it’s an internal fault in the instrument cluster. They don’t strip down and repair they only replace . Quote £550. I’m 6 weeks out of warranty. Car is 2014, very low mileage. I’m second owner and only got the car last October . I’m on PCP finance. I’ve just joined this forum today to try and get some advice on what to do next . All help appreciated as new to the forum. ��

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear about your problem. As you will by now have gathered, this is a common issue and Fiat's response is exactly what we have come to expect.

If you're out of warranty, then your choices are basically to either pay what Fiat are asking, or source a secondhand cluster. Your biggest difficulty in doing that may be in finding one with a lower mileage.

You could try asking Fiat for a contribution towards the cost, but realistically I'd say it's not worth the effort and likely frustration. The pcp finance company are also unlikely to help. You're out of warranty, and minor repairs are part and parcel of owning a 4yr old car.

 

[MazFiat500]

Thanks.. I heard you have to have it re-programmed to the car. Would a Fiat garage be willing to do that if they hadn’t done the repair . I’m going to phone customer care head office tomorrow to see if they will help with the costs

 

[jrkitching]

I heard you have to have it re-programmed to the car. Would a Fiat garage be willing to do that if they hadn’t done the repair .

You can always ask, but it might be just as cheap to buy a copy of MES & some leads - it'll work on just about any windows computer from XP onwards. We can talk you through how to fit it and reprogram; it's not that difficult.

If you let us know whereabouts you're located, there might even be someone here who can help you out with the programming.

Could also be worth googling instrument cluster repair services; they might be able to repair yours, possibly avoiding the need to reprogram.

 

[HWMAX]

I have this fault. The ABS and coolant temperature lights flash when the right hand indicator is on . They flash in time with the indicator arrow on the instrument cluster. Funnily enough this only happens with the engine running, not with the ignition on and the engine not started. My battery sits at 12.5 volts with the engine not running and 14.5 volts with the engine running. It is very noticeable in low light conditions but hard to detect on a sunny day. Today the car was MOTd and failed on a headlamp not working (guess who didn't check that after having the front bumper off to fit set of Fiat fog lights , yes, me!) No mention of the instrument cluster at all. Today is a sunny day and the dash indications/indicators may well have been checked with the ignition on and the engine not started.