Technical Instrument binnacle maladies

[Andy W]

My dash display occasionally goes into flashing mode where the whole thing dances about, even affecting the fuel gauge but not the speedo or rev counter. It's a 500 Twin Air 2013 reg, any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

 

[varesecrazy]

Bad connection sounds favourite

What is the history of this?

Had it years.. but only happened recently..??


Been blowing bulbs.. anything stopped working??


Does it do the same day + night..?

Charlie

 

[Andy W]

Thanks for reply Charlie, had the car 2 years and it has started doing this in the past week and only for a few seconds but then it rights itself. Everything works normally and have had no previous problems with the car or electrics, so bad connection sounds possible, if it occurs again I'll have to get it checked, obviously, but been out and about in it today and no sign of any issues. Thanks.

 

[typecastboy]

They are known to go. You can get them repaired or buy a second hand one on eBay for about £60.

 

[John202020]

Has the car had a new battery at all? AND has the car had a new earth strap, these are known to fail on the 1.2 but can look ok voltage issues can cause many problems in modern cars?

 

[Andy W]

Thanks for replies, battery has been tested and passed as OK, car now booked into auto electrician to try to trace the issue. The car had also had a recall by Fiat back in 2015 regarding possible under-dash wiring issues where the wiring rubs against the steering column, this was apparently fixed by the selling dealer but that was 5 years ago, wonder if this is a recurring problem?

 

[Andy W]

Thanks for reply, I've just had an auto-electrician look at it and he says it needs a new module for the central binnacle display and could cost up to £400 to replace and install. I don't know what the technical term is for such a part or how long it might take plus labour costs....grateful if you can offer any suggestions and nearest Fiat dealer is 30miles away. Many thanks.

 

[John202020]

You can pick up a second-hand display, install, and proxi align and should be all good, make sure the replacement has mileage lower than yours and check the build date of the car it was from?

 

[Andy W]

Thanks John, Fiat dealer has quoted me £114 just for a diagnostic check plus parts and labour so could be looking at £500+ to carry out the job if the dash module is the cause. Currently it's working but in the meantime I'll do some research on my options, as usual the Fiat dealers are rubbish despite Customer Service calling me from Milan to advise me to take it to a dealer! I give up!

 

[John202020]

There are companies that can repair yours too which maybe cheaper as you "probably" won't need proxi so possibly remove, send off, replace?

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks John, Fiat dealer has quoted me £114 just for a diagnostic check plus parts and labour so could be looking at £500+ to carry out the job if the dash module is the cause. Currently it's working but in the meantime I'll do some research on my options, as usual the Fiat dealers are rubbish despite Customer Service calling me from Milan to advise me to take it to a dealer! I give up!

A used binnacle and a visit from a forum member.. should all be good

https://www.fiatforum.com/multiecuscan-members-register/

 

[typecastboy]

As I said above. Get yourself on ebay and get one for around £60. As long as the mileage on the one you buy is lower than your car, you can up the mileage using MES software but you cannot reduce it. Don't waste money on a new one, there's really no need.

 

[Andy W]

I am in the process of investigating this option, and appreciate the help given so far, thanks, this is my second 500 and both have given me unusual problems, none of them straightforward, I must be a glutton for punishment!