Hi All,

A couple of days ago the wife took the car back to Fiat as she could not get the radio to turn off, even with the key out of the ignition. Not wishing to flatten the battery she panicked and took it into Fiat who promptly told her they didn't know what the problem was and the quick fix was to disconnect it, (which they did, as well of quoting her £1500 plus vat for a new head unit).

I've reconnected the unit and it now turns on and off as it should. The problem is that there is no display on the colour screen apart from the Fiat logo and the words loading, ready etc appearing in the bottom right. No other buttons on the unit or centre console seems to do anything.
The radio/cd changer will work for a few minutes and then reset as the screen goes blank.

Would I be right in assuming that the head unit is searching for a set up disc?? If so, I was not supplied with it when I bought the car.

Its the Connect Nav+ by the way.

Or could it be something more serious?

Any ideas would be greatly appriciated.

Cheers

Pete

Have you got a CD Rom with music on in the main CD drive (not changer). It may be getting confused thinking it is a software disc and starts to load.

The other option is to go to www.eurovan2.com and download the set up disk and update the software as it may be corrupted, just make sure you choose the correct version for your RT3 (CAN or VAN bus)

Thanks for the reply.

I have the map disc in the head unit not a music cd.

Not sure I know whether my Ulysse is a van or a can bus. How can I find out?

Its a 52 reg.

Yours will be a Van bus as it is a 2002/3 year. If you join the Eurovan2.com forum, you can access the download area. Download the image of the 5.5D software and burn a CD (it is an image of a CD so you will need a CD burner program capable of image burning). Follow the update instructions, i.e keep the engine running, remove SIM card and insert CD. Let it update, it may eject the CD and then load it again, so don't stop it half way through.

This may solve the problem if the software is corrupt. If it is a hardware fault then obviously it won't. Second hand units do come up on E-Bay, but make sure you get a VAN version and also that it is for the colour display as the monochrome display doesn't have the optical output required for the colour screen.

Also make sure you have software version staring with 5.? to use the upgrade. If you can get the system to stay on long enough, press and hold the "menu" or "main" button (can't remember which), this will bring up a hidden menu and you can check the version number.

Many Thanks for that Poggy and I hope you had a good Xmas break.

Before you replied I did download from Eurovan but never got the chance to burn to a disc before visiting the in-laws over Xmas.

Good job, as I had down'ed the wrong version. I've now downloaded 5.5D and will soon burn it to a disc. I cannot, however, check that my version is 5.x or whatever as pressing and holding menu or main on the head unit or the centre console does nothing.

I'm resigned to the fact that trying this out will not do any more harm than Thames Fiat did in the first place by disconnecting it.

BTW.

For anyone that doesn't have Nero, they can get free imaging/burning software from here, (I assume I can post this here)?:

http://filehippo.com/download_daemon_tools/

I've used Daemon for years and it's been fine.

Anyway, cheers again Poggy.

No problem, let us know how you get on. By the way if it doesn't work and you buy a second hand unit you will need to have the VIN number matched to the RT3 for it to work. It's a security feature, but it doesn't cost much to do at a dealer, about 10 mins work.

Boo Hoo!!

I burned a disc, took out the sim card, had the engine running and inserted the disc.

All seemed well, the disc ejected and I let it take it back again and again and again....... after the eleventh eject and reload and 40 mins of my life gone and with nothing apart from the Fiat logo on the screen with loading, starting and ready being displayed, (apart from the times when the screen is black that is), I admitted defeat and gave up.

When an install is going ok, does the screen display anything?

Could I be missing something obvious or should I retire this unit to the bin and get a map?

I can't even listen to the radio or CD's now as the bloody thing keeps turning itself on and off every few minutes.

You should get a egg timer on the screen and a various messages.

Sounds like your unit is not well.

The only other possible issue is that you have a very old version and you can't update to the new one without doing an earlier update first. Did you ever have the software updated by the dealer when it was serviced. If not you certainly won't have a version 5.* software. The new version will only update if you had 5.* already installed.

When we first looked atthe car before we bought it in Jan 2006 from Thames Fiat all the language was in German. They changed it to English by the time we picked it up. Not sure if that counts as an update.

I don't think the dealer has updated it when it's been in for a service, (I haven't noticed anything different anyway).

Is it possible to get hold of an earlier version of the software and what version might it be?

Cheers for your help so far.

I've been in touch with my Fiat dealer and they think it will need resetting via their 'examiner'?? tool.

Interestingly enough, this will cost £63.00 + VAT to do despite the fact that I think they caused the fault in the first place by completely disconnecting it. I read in the bumph for the head unit that it can be set to play the radio/CD player AFTER you have removed the ignition key but ONLY for 20 mins. After that it turns itself off. A battery saving feature.

I won't even get the set up disc if I go ahead with this but the parts dept. will sell me it for 19.99 inc VAT.

i'm not sure what to do.

Anyway,

Happy New Year to the forums.

Cheers,
Pete

Hi, I have bought 2.2 jtd eleganza , no signal from connect nav+ to ariel and have been quoted £1500 for new head unit. Can I replace with 2nd hand unit. What will need doing ? Sorry I am a woman so keep it simple please if you can help. Also now all warning lights have come on and don't go off even when car turned off. Two days ago when I unlocked the car the passenger windows opened on their own !!! on opposite side . I have just had the turbo replaced after owning this car for a week.The eml had come on after being driven less than 100 miles. Seems I have bought the car from hell as previous owner told me why she took it back to garage we both bought from . In serious talks now and am paying for Fiat dealer diagnostics test. Thankyou Barbara

Hi Barbie and welcome to the wonderful world of Ulysse electrical problems.

I finally today managed to get the radio/sat nav problem sorted when it went in for a service. The problem, (according to Fiat), was that the optical cable was disconnected and it had wiped the software completely.

This is complete tosh as I know that it was connected as I connected it after Fiat had just taken out the head unit as per my first post. Even if it was loose, there is no way that would have corrupted the software as it is just a cable that enables the screen display from the rt3 unit.

Anyway, sorted now, (for free), after putting that argument to them.

Sorry to here about your other problems and hope you have/are sorting them.

Cheers

Pete

barbie13 said:

Sorry I am a woman so keep it simple please if you can help.

Click to expand...

Barbara can I respectfully suggest that you might find that approaching a dealership/garage with the above attitude won't be helpful! We're in the 21st Century now, after all ...

So, what to do? Well, posting on this forum is a good start. Can I suggest if the car is such a disaster, who sold it to you? If it was a private sale, then it costs nothing to ask for an explaination! Depending upon 'feedback' you can always talk to the CAB about it (but don't hold your breath - might need to rope in some friends to pay a visit - only kidding ). But if you bought it from a dealership, trading standards are on your side. If you go back and only thinly disguise your determination to get them to sort it out or face action, you might find them helpful...

Just a thought. Good luck!

Thankyou , the fiat dealer tho helpful has done a diagnostic ,and they have to replace the induction manifold actuator before they can look any further. They have also stated that due to the type of cd unit fitted it may also be the cause of the other faults which have appeared and that the towbar electrics may not be can line approved. The tow bar is a Brinks which I have been told is approved for the car. Went back to dealer who has agreed to have this done at fiat dealer, now awaiting part arrival. Will keep in contact but I dont think its over and have already asked for money back.

Excellent, keep up the pressure! The very best of luck.

Please, if you have time, keep us informed.