Technical Warning lights flashing when turning Right. Is it a problem?

[Berta]

Advice would be appreciated. I am having a difficult experience with my local Fiat dealer.
Their diagnostics advised new clutch necessary on my automatic. Was fitted but has not resolved problem (car repeatedly ‘seizes up’in first few hundred yards of drive). To boot the car radio has blown (they replaced but still doesn’t work - they advise a new Ariel base) & warning lights come on when indicating right. Dealer advises that this. Is common in fiat 500s and not a problem that needs attention. I no longer trust them. Advise would be appreciated. Is ok to leave or should I insist addressed?
to

 

[John202020]

Welcome so,
The dash flashing is not unheard of but may not pass a mot as typically the abs light flashes, the fix seems to be replace with a good second hand cluster with a lower mileage than yours, this is important.
The tailgate wiring is a well known issue, the wires snap and fray causing short circuits and all sorts of issues and needs investigating ASAP. This is why most likely the boot won't open or wiper issues locking etc.
If they charged you to replace the clutch but has not sorted it I'd go back re this issue.
Does the radio come on but not work, does the cd player work with sound from speakers?

 

[Berta]

Welcome so,
The dash flashing is not unheard of but may not pass a mot as typically the abs light flashes, the fix seems to be replace with a good second hand cluster with a lower mileage than yours, this is important.
The tailgate wiring is a well known issue, the wires snap and fray causing short circuits and all sorts of issues and needs investigating ASAP. This is why most likely the boot won't open or wiper issues locking etc.
If they charged you to replace the clutch but has not sorted it I'd go back re this issue.
Does the radio come on but not work, does the cd player work with sound from speakers?

Hi John,
Thanks for speedy reply. Thats really helpful - much appreciated. The car is back in the Fiat dealership to get clutch looked at Again.
Hope I’m not hassling (? Taking advantage) but any thoughts about whether dash flashing is likely to be related to their work, or is it more likely to be wear and tear (and just rubbish coincidence).
Have to admit I haven’t tried the CD player - assuming that if it works then is probably an Ariel problem (and again just rubbish coincidence).
Sadly the dealer has been less than honest throughout this saga to date so any thoughts really appreciated.
Viv

 

[John202020]

Hi we,re all friendly here others will likely be along later,
Try the cd player to see if you get any sound, if yes then its probably aerial issue, others here have replaced the base, not hard but fiddly and tight space.
Whats wrong re the "boot" ?
Probably coincidence re dash though not impossible to have been generated by the hatch wiring if this is faulty, whilst it may have been created the issue, fixing any hatch wiring fault wouldn't now fix the dash, its generally find one on Ebay with a lower mileage, have it fitted and see if any forum member is near with a laptop to "integrate" it and correct the mileage to match the old one.

 

[Berta]

Hi we,re all friendly here others will likely be along later,
Try the cd player to see if you get any sound, if yes then its probably aerial issue, others here have replaced the base, not hard but fiddly and tight space.
Whats wrong re the "boot" ?
Probably coincidence re dash though not impossible to have been generated by the hatch wiring if this is faulty, whilst it may have been created the issue, fixing any hatch wiring fault wouldn't now fix the dash, its generally find one on Ebay with a lower mileage, have it fitted and see if any forum member is near with a laptop to "integrate" it and correct the mileage to match the old one.

Thanks again - forum is such a great idea. Really helps when you are not a technical minded being.
The boot is fine - apologies for bad choice of words. I meant the word to mean ’in addition’ rather than state there Was a problem with the car boot!

 

[John202020]

So you have 3 issues
Gearbox/clutch
Flashing speedo lights
Radio no reception?

Let the garage fix the gearbox issue, was the sizes up issue there before you had the clutch done?
Speedo probably a replacement job
First find out if, the radio comes on, whether there's any sound on say cd, then consider the aerial issue( a bit of wire stuck in the back of the aerial socket may determine if the radio works)

 

[Berta]

So you have 3 issues
Gearbox/clutch
Flashing speedo lights
Radio no reception?

Let the garage fix the gearbox issue, was the sizes up issue there before you had the clutch done?
Speedo probably a replacement job
First find out if, the radio comes on, whether there's any sound on say cd, then consider the aerial issue( a bit of wire stuck in the back of the aerial socket may determine if the radio works)

Yes - that’s right.
The seizing up issue was the initial reason I approached the garage & their Diagnostics suggested clutch replacement.
Clutch was replaced but problem persists (albeit not as bad as it was previously).
The flashing ABS & engine warning lights on indicating right is a new issue. However, will take your advice that is probably coincidental & get replaced elsewhere.
Will follow your advice re replacement radio. Will try CD in it when I pick up. If it’s an aerial issue then again will take to Another garage for replacement.
Really appreciate your support on this. Viv

 

[A3jeroen]

I had this dimly flashing when indicating. Went away after fitting a new battery.

gr J

 

[John202020]

Hi how old is the car if the garage has had the gearbox off then I'd bet the earth strap is in a poor condition or not even connected this is a known problem but is less than a fiver for a new strap

 

[Berta]

I had this dimly flashing when indicating. Went away after fitting a new battery.

gr J

Thanks. Again helpful to know.

 

[Berta]

Hi how old is the car if the garage has had the gearbox off then I'd bet the earth strap is in a poor condition or not even connected this is a known problem but is less than a fiver for a new strap

Thanks John. It’s 9 years old so that could be it (and would be my preference of all options given the cost!). I’ll give the garage a ring

 

[John202020]

Thanks John. It’s 9 years old so that could be it (and would be my preference of all options given the cost!). I’ll give the garage a ring

If it's not had a new one it will need a new one, this routinely crops up, a simple item that creates lots of electrical issues, again might not fix your lights but will help the general "health" of the car

 

[The Panda Nut]

Hi John,
Thanks for speedy reply. Thats really helpful - much appreciated. The car is back in the Fiat dealership to get clutch looked at Again.
Hope I’m not hassling (? Taking advantage) but any thoughts about whether dash flashing is likely to be related to their work, or is it more likely to be wear and tear (and just rubbish coincidence).
Have to admit I haven’t tried the CD player - assuming that if it works then is probably an Ariel problem (and again just rubbish coincidence).
Sadly the dealer has been less than honest throughout this saga to date so any thoughts really appreciated.
Viv

Please name the dealer so we can all avoid them!! Unfortunately Fiat treat their dealers appallingly, charge them to do warranty work FOC and seem to avoid their responsibilies wherever they can do so, so its not surprising many dealers are rated very very poorly. A dealer can be expected to have ALL the knowledge, experience and equipment to deal with ALL issues and if they charge to fix a job and dont do it, they are at fault. They have a duty to provide a service commensurate withyour reasonable expectations. Misdiagnosis and fitting parts that were not required is unacceptable under consumer law so dont feel guilty in being insistent they sort things out. Its what they are there for.
Everyone can make a mistake, and providing its put right honour is served. I hope you can get some satisfaction wihtout any unpleasantness.

We had a radio issue that was loose connectors on the radio speakers. This was more of a cutting in and out issue. The radio aerial might fail but I would try unscrewwing the aerial off the roof fitting and try another one before changing the whole thing. If the radio lights up when switched on, it has power. If the aerial plugs on the back of the raido have worked loose then it would explain the lack of a signal. If I had a problem I couldnt fix I would go to a car radio specialist as they will be by far and away the best people to sort this out, but would NOT include the likes of Halfords as they are just parts suppliers / sellers and unlikely to help.

 

[Ralf S.]

As above, the clutch issue is the dealer's responsibility to resolve. I doubt it's the actual clutch .. more likely to be a sensor that's playing up and then the car's brains is probably getting confused or using some safe mode. Get the dealer to investigate it.. they should have access to the technical troubleshooting manuals, even if they stopped looking at "Step 1".

The flashing lights in the speedo could be an earthing problem. If the dealer changed the clutch they would have removed the gearboz and the main earth strap.. so it could be they disturbed something that was only working because it was held in place by dirt. I would look at the earth strap (they're about a tenner for a Halfords version.. you don't need a Fiat part) and it's simple to fit. Don't change the speedo' unless you're really, really sure the problem isn't something else.

The radio being "blown" doesn't sound like an aerial problem. If the aerial is dead, you will still get some signal through the radio unit itself or it's remaining wiring. Turn up the volume and scan for any stations.. if you get any kind of mumbled reception then the radio is okay and it could be the aerial base.. but if there's no life in the radio, no display or other signs of life, then it's more likely to be a fuse.

Ralf S.

 

[portland_bill]

To add to all the good advice above, the brake light switch needs checking. The signal from this is important to the gearbox control, and there have been several reports of gearbox issues fixed by a new brake light switch.
The gearbox control also seems to rely on an earth at the nearside rear lamp, certainly on Panda and Punto, so very likely also on 500. (Seems random, but has caused issues, and led to fixes) That earth needs to be checked.

 

[Berta]

If it's not had a new one it will need a new one, this routinely crops up, a simple item that creates lots of electrical issues, again might not fix your lights but will help the general "health" of the car

As above, the clutch issue is the dealer's responsibility to resolve. I doubt it's the actual clutch .. more likely to be a sensor that's playing up and then the car's brains is probably getting confused or using some safe mode. Get the dealer to investigate it.. they should have access to the technical troubleshooting manuals, even if they stopped looking at "Step 1".

The flashing lights in the speedo could be an earthing problem. If the dealer changed the clutch they would have removed the gearboz and the main earth strap.. so it could be they disturbed something that was only working because it was held in place by dirt. I would look at the earth strap (they're about a tenner for a Halfords version.. you don't need a Fiat part) and it's simple to fit. Don't change the speedo' unless you're really, really sure the problem isn't something else.

The radio being "blown" doesn't sound like an aerial problem. If the aerial is dead, you will still get some signal through the radio unit itself or it's remaining wiring. Turn up the volume and scan for any stations.. if you get any kind of mumbled reception then the radio is okay and it could be the aerial base.. but if there's no life in the radio, no display or other signs of life, then it's more likely to be a fuse.

Ralf S.

Thanks Ralf. Really appreciate all the support and advice from this Forum. It’s such a help for those of us who dont have much technical know how.
I‘ll get onto the dealer 8n the morning