Technical Parking Sensor Failure

[usetherudders]

Hi all,

I have a 2005 Croma 150 JTD Eleganza and today the rear parking sensors have failed. They were working fine 30 mins before, the manual states refer to Fiat dealership.

Any ideas or anyone else experienced this problem.

This month also the rear boot lock also went, leaving the boot unable to open. Not an ideal situation when you're trying to unload the suitcases in front of the airport at 5am.

Nice car though and drives well.

 

[T14086]

never heard of parking sensor faults on cromas to be honest...I take it it is original fit sensors?

 

[usetherudders]

Yeah original fit sensors

 

[T14086]

probably one of the sensors has gone down, easily diagnosed by Fiat diag equipment.

 

[andrew nicolaou]

Hi all,

I have a 2005 Croma 150 JTD Eleganza and today the rear parking sensors have failed. They were working fine 30 mins before, the manual states refer to Fiat dealership.

Any ideas or anyone else experienced this problem.

This month also the rear boot lock also went, leaving the boot unable to open. Not an ideal situation when you're trying to unload the suitcases in front of the airport at 5am.

Nice car though and drives well.

I have a croma 150 prestigo 2006 plate and my car had to go back to fiat several times for reversing sensors to be fixed (they were all replaced last june) and last week they failed again. Also same as you, my boot would not open and also had to go back to fiat for repair and after 3 tries and over a month without the car, I have given up. Still not able to open boot manually!
Whilst im on, I have 4 key fobs of which 3 no longer work! Fiat claim there is a problem with the chips and that they can not be reprogrammed.
Also, my luxurious fiat has failed its first mot! problem with the headlight beam!
In the garage for repair again.
Oh did I mention the faulty windscreen washer bottle that had to be replaced.
Any apart from all these MINOR problems, does anywone want to buy my car. After driving fiats for over 15 years, finallt I think its time for trouble free driving.Mabee I will buy a BM next!

 

[keithglos]

Whilst im on, I have 4 key fobs of which 3 no longer work! Fiat claim there is a problem with the chips and that they can not be reprogrammed.
BM next!

Andrew, as you have a spare key that doesn't work, have you tried opening it up to see if it has a replaceable battery, or needs the contacts cleaned. I have only 2 keys and both work, but if one failed that is the first thing I would do. A previous Fiat with older type keys quite often needed the contacts cleaned, just a bit of dust. I was told once by a Fiat dealership that the key needed a new battery, but after cleaning the contacts (a 2 minute job) it was OK.

 

[andrew nicolaou]

The first thing we did was change the batteries in all of the fobs but I have not cleaned contacts.Will try when I get car back. Lets hope it works! One less problem solved.

 

[FiatFleetFamily]

I have a croma 150 prestigo 2006 plate and my car had to go back to fiat several times for reversing sensors to be fixed (they were all replaced last june) and last week they failed again. Also same as you, my boot would not open and also had to go back to fiat for repair and after 3 tries and over a month without the car, I have given up. Still not able to open boot manually!
Whilst im on, I have 4 key fobs of which 3 no longer work! Fiat claim there is a problem with the chips and that they can not be reprogrammed.
Also, my luxurious fiat has failed its first mot! problem with the headlight beam!
In the garage for repair again.
Oh did I mention the faulty windscreen washer bottle that had to be replaced.
Any apart from all these MINOR problems, does anywone want to buy my car. After driving fiats for over 15 years, finallt I think its time for trouble free driving.Mabee I will buy a BM next!

My reversing sensors played up just like yours. If you disconnect the battery, let everything power down for 30 sec. Then reconnect it should remove problem, this is what corrected mine. The keys can be re programmed, as long as you have the 5 digit electronic code, again 1 of my keys was not working, after re programmed via the Examiner, all is ok.

As for the boot issue not opening, when I bought mine it would not open, but check the settings in your menu on the dashboard, as mine was locking everything. Check that the setting for doors is ALL DOORS OPEN. and also check that you have the auto close function on, as this unlocks the boot when you open the drivers door when you want to get out of the car.

Or press lock button on your fob, even when it is already locked and after 5 secs, press boot button on your fob to release the boot lock.

 

[patcp]

The boot lock switch can also fail which means you can open the boot but only using the keyfob and not by pressing the release on the rear hatch. We've had two replacements fitted but as the switch is fitted permanently into the trim, although its not too expensive to buy, it needs to be sprayed to match the paint which adds to the cost.

 

[usetherudders]

Thanks for the replies,

The parking sensors decided to work again last night and once the engine has been switched off I turned the car on again to check all was well and they have failed again.

Is a Fiat dealer the only people who can look at this or can I take it to a local garage?
I'm in Cardiff and we don't have an approved dealer anymore or I can take it to the local Alfa stealers. Past experience on Fiat and Alfa haven't been the best.

With regard to the boot issue, I needed a new electronic cable and switch with labour I was charged £80 that included making the boot secure and investigating the fault.

I've been quoted another £65 for boot lock plus labour and painting on top.

I shall post my other gripes with the car later:bang:

 

[patcp]

I'm in Cardiff and we don't have an approved dealer anymore or I can take it to the local Alfa stealers. Past experience on Fiat and Alfa haven't been the best.

We're in Chepstow and regularly use Motor Services here who've been very good for us and now have experience of several Croma's as well as ours. LC Motors in Newport have also been very good for parts.

 

[BrianMcL]

My parking sensors have failed as well.

No idea what the problem is and once I've found a decent independent garage around Galsgow I'll take it to them as it's got a list of problems as long as your arm and the local fiat dealership in Paisley have been pretty much disinterested in it after the 2 year manufacturer warranty expired.

To give you an idea of rubbish mine is I even had to buy a tap and die set to grind out a thread for the Thule roof bar foot pack as only 6 of the 8 mounting points had been threaded.

Can't imagine what Fiat were thinking about when they built these cars but at least i won't be causing them or their dealer any problems in future.