check engine light Alfa Romeo 147 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
56
If the display shows a failure message, see the details given in the
“Warning lights” chapter; if there are two or more failures, the display
shows them in cycle, one after the other. To eliminate the display of the
message and/or of the warning light repeated on the rev counter
by the reconfigurable multifunction display, press button
Q.
INITIAL CHECK
Turning the ignition key to MAR, the reconfigurable multifunction display shows the message CHECK ACTIVE: the diagnostic phase of all the
electronic systems on the car has started, this lasts for about 4 seconds. If no faults are detected when the engine has started, the display shows
the OK message.
IMPORTANT If the reconfigurable multifunction display shows a failure message, see the details given in the “Warning lights” chapter.
Standard screen
The Programmed Maintenance
Schedule includes vehicle
maintenance every 20,000
km; this is shown
automatically, with the ignition
key at MAR, starting from
2,000 km (or miles) from this
deadline and it is shown again
every 200 km.
If no
failures
are
presentIs the
engine
started?YES
NO

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
77
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
WARNING LIGHTS
IMPORTANTThe presence of warning lights depends on the type of equipment with which the car is fitted.
x
LOW BRAKE FLUID AND/OR HANDBRAKE ON
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warning light on the dial turns on, but it should go off after
approx. 4 seconds.
The warning light turns on when the level of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls below the mini-
mum level, due to a possible leak in the circuit and when the handbrake is engaged.
u
HIGH ENGINE COOLANT FLUID TEMPERATURE
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warning light on the dial turns on, but it should go off after
approx. 4 seconds.
The warning light turns on together with the message + symbol on the reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display, when the engine is overheated. If it turns on when travelling, stop the car leaving the
engine on and slightly accelerated to further activate the circulation of the coolant fluid.
If the warning light does not go off within the next 2 or 3 minutes, stop the engine and contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
If the xwarning light turns on when travelling check that the hand-
brake is not engaged. If the warning light stays on together with the
message + symbol on the reconfigurable multifunction display with the hand-
brake off, stop the car immediately and contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
78
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
¬
AIR BAG FAILURE
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warning light on the dial turns on, but it should go off after
approx. 4 seconds The warning light stays on glowing steadily if there is an operating failure in the
Air bag system.
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE
If the message + symbol are shown on the reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display when travelling, stop the engine immediately and con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
WARNING
If the ¬warning light does not turn on when turning the ignition key
to MAR or if it stays on when travelling, this could indicate a failure in
safety retaining systems; under this condition air bags or pretensioners could
not trigger in the event of collision or, in a restricted number of cases, they could
trigger accidentally. Stop the car and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
to have the system checked immediately.
WARNING
The failure of the ¬warning light (warning light off) is also indicat-
ed by the flashing for more than the normal 4 seconds of the pas-
senger’s front air bag deactivated warning light.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
83
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
>
INEFFICIENT ABS SYSTEM
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warning light on the dial lights up, but it should go off after
approx. 4 seconds.
The warning light turns on together with the message + symbol on the reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display, when the system is inefficient. In this case the braking system keeps its effectiveness
unchanged, but without the potential offered by the ABS system. Caution is advisable, particularly
in all cases of less than perfect grip. It is therefore necessary to contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vices as soon as possible.
Inefficient EBD electronic braking distributor
x
>
+The car is fitted with electronic braking distributor (EBD). The turning
on at the same time of the xand>warning lights on the dial togeth-
er with the message + symbol on the reconfigurable multifunction display, with
the engine running indicates an EBD system failure; in this case heavy braking
may cause the rear wheels to lock before time, with the possibility of skidding.
Drive extremely carefully to the nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service to have
the system checked.
WARNING
The turning on only of the >warning light on the dial together with
the message + symbol on the reconfigurable multifunction display, with
the engine running normally indicates a failure of the ABS system only. In this
case the braking system maintains its effectiveness, without however the an-
tilock function. In these conditions, the effectiveness of the EBD may also be re-
duced, In this case too, you are recommended to contact the nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service immediately, driving in such a way as to avoid sharp brak-
ing, to have the system checked.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
113
STARTING THE ENGINE
The engine can be started either with a
gear engaged or in neutral (N) provided
that the brake pedal is fully depressed.
IMPORTANTIf the brake pedal is not
depressed, the starter motor will not turn,
thus preventing the engine from being start-
ed.
After starting, the gearbox sets to neutral
automatically, the reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display shows the letter (N) and the
system selects the semiautomatic operating
mode (manual).
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
AND SYSTEM DEACTIVATION
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe en-
gine turns off but the Selespeed system is
still active waiting for the car to stop com-
pletely. After about 2 - 4 seconds from when
the key has been moved to STOP, the hy-
draulic part is deactivated and the reconfig-
urable multifunction display is turned off im-
mediately afterwards; at this point is the Se-
lespeed system deactivated.
The gear selected before switching off the
engine remains engaged.
If the engine is stopped with the gearbox
in neutral (N), the buzzer calls the driver’s
attention so that the car can be put in safe-
ty conditions engaging first gear (1) or re-
verse (R). In this case, the ignition key
should be turned to MARand with the
brake pedal pressed, engage first gear (1)
or reverse (R).
IMPORTANTIf the engine is stopped
with the CITYmode engaged, this will be
stored by the system. Indeed, the next time
the engine is started, this condition will still
be active.IMPORTANTShould the engine go off
with the car on the move, the next time it
is started the Alfa Romeo CODE warning
light (Y) may come on. In this case check
that the warning light goes off turning the
engine off and on again with the vehicle sta-
tionary. If not contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
NEVER leave the car with
the gears in neutral (N).
WARNING
Never remove the ignition
key when the car is mov-
ing. In addition to the fact that the
Selespeed system would not work
properly up to stopping the car, the
steering wheel would lock auto-
matically the first time it is turned.
WARNING
If the engine fails to start
with the gear engaged, the
driver is informed of the potential-
ly dangerous situation due to the
fact that the gearbox is in neutral
by the buzzer and by the reconfig-
urable multifunction display.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
135
Always take due car when braking on
bends, even with the help of the ABS.
The most important advice of all, howev-
er, is this:
Following these instruction you will be in
the best braking condition under all circum-
stances.
IMPORTANTCars fitted with ABS may
only be fitted with the wheel rims, tyres and
brake linings of type and brand approved by
the Manufacturer.
The system is completed by the EBD (Elec-
tronic Brake Distributor) which distributes
the braking action through the control unit
and the ABS system sensors.IMPORTANTIf the battery is run down
the
>andxwarning lights might turn
on when starting the engine and go off af-
ter starting. This should not be considered
as a fault but as a warning that during start-
ing the ABS is not active. The turning off
of the warning lights ensures normal system
operation.
When the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the pulsing on the
pedal, do not lighten the pressure,
but keep the pedal firmly pressed
with no fear; this way you will
stop in the least space possible,
compatibly with the conditions of
the road surface.
WARNING
The car is fitted with an
electronic braking distribu-
tor (EBD). If the
>andxwarn-
ing lights turn on simultaneously
with the engine running, this indi-
cates an EBD system failure; in this
case with sharp braking the rear
wheels might lock too early, with
the possibility of skidding. Driving
extremely carefully, go to the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
to have the system checked.
WARNING
The turning on of only the
>warning light with the
engine running normally indicates a
fault to the ABS system only. In this
case the braking system is still ef-
ficient, though without the aid of
the anti-lock device. Under these
conditions performance of the EBD
system may be reduced. In this case
too, you areadvised to go immedi-
ately to the nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service to have the sys-
tem checked over, driving in such
a way as to avoid sharp braking.
WARNING
If the low brake fluid lev-
el
xwarning light turns
on, stop the car immediately and
contact the nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service. Any loss of
fluid from the hydraulic system
will negatively affect the opera-
tion of the braking system be it of
the conventional type or of the
type with ABS.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
139
IMPORTANTWhen travelling on snow
with snow chains, it may be helpful to turn
the ASR device off: in fact, in these condi-
tions, slipping of the driving wheels when
moving off makes it possible to obtain bet-
ter drive.
ASR system failure warning
Should a defect arise, the ASR system is
automatically disconnected and the re-con-
figurable multifunction display informs user
about this condition by displaying a dedi-
cated message.
In the event of an ASR system operating
failure, the car behaves in the same way
as a car that is not fitted with this system:
in any case, it is advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services as soon as pos-
sible.
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board Di-
agnosis) installed on the car meets Directive
98/69/CE (EURO 3).
This system allows continuous diagnosis
of the components on the car correlated with
emissions; it also alerts the driver, by turn-
ing on the warning light
U(on some ver-
sions together with the message + symbol
on the reconfigurable multifunction display)
on the instrument panel when these com-
ponents are no longer in peak conditions.
The objective is:
– to keep system efficiency under control;
– warn when a fault causes emission lev-
els to increase over the threshold established
by European law;
– warn of the need to replace deteriorat-
ed components.
The system also has a diagnostic connec-
tor that can be interfaced with appropriate
tools, which makes it possible to read the
error codes stored in the control unit, to-
gether with a series of specific parameters
for engine operation and diagnosis.If, turning the ignition key
to MAR, the warning light
Udoes not turn on or if,
while travelling it turns on glow-
ing steadily or flashing together
with the message + symbol on the
reconfigurable multifunction dis-
play, contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Services as soon as possible.
IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the in-
convenience, to check the system com-
pletely, Alfa Romeo Authorised Services are
obliged to run a bench test and, if necessary
road tests which may also call for a long jour-
ney.For correct operation of the
ASR system the tyres must
absolutely be of the same brand
and type on all wheels, in perfect
conditions and, above all, of the
specified type, brand and size.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
177
EMERGENCY STARTING
If the Alfa Romeo CODE system does not
recognise the code transmitted by the igni-
tion key (
Y)warning light on the instru-
ment cluster on glowing steadily) emer-
gency starting may be carried out using the
code of the CODE card.
For the correct procedure see the chapter
“In an emergency”.
PARKING
When the vehicle is parked, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Switch off the engine.
– Engage the handbrake.
– Engage first gear if the vehicle is fac-
ing uphill or reverse if the vehicle is facing
downhill.
– Turn the front wheels so that the vehi-
cle will immediately come to a halt if the
handbrake slips. Never bump, tow, or
coast start the vehicle as
this would cause fuel to
flow into the catalyst causing irre-
versible damage.
To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possibly draining the bat-
tery, never leave the ignition key
in the MAR position when the en-
gine is not running.
Sharp accelerating before
switching the engine off
should be avoided. A
“kick” on the accelerator serves
no purposes and consumes fuel
pointlessly.
IMPORTANT
If the engine turns off with
the vehicle on the move, the next time it
is started, the Alfa Romeo CODE warning
light may turn on (
Y). In this case, check
that switching off and starting the engine
again with the vehicle stationary, the warn-
ing light stays off. If not, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much
more effort than usual is required
on the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
WARNING
Never leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle. Al-
ways remove the ignition key
when leaving the vehicle and take
it with you.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
178
SAFE DRIVING
In designing your Alfa 147 GTA, Al-
fa Romeo has worked thoroughly to achieve
a vehicle able to offer top levels of safety to
its passengers. However, the behaviour of
the driver is still a decisive factor for road
safety.
Below you will find a few simple rules for
travelling safely under different conditions.
You are certainly familiar with many of them
but it is still helpful to read them all care-
fully.
BEFORE DRIVING OFF
– Make sure the lights and headlights are
working properly.
– Adjust the seat, steering wheel and rear-
view mirrors, in order to obtain a correct po-
sition for driving.
– Carefully adjust the headrests so that
the head and not the neck rests on them.
Check that nothing (mats etc.) can get un-
der the foot pedals.– Make sure that any child restraint sys-
tems (seats, cradles, etc.) are correctly fas-
tened on the rear seat.
– Place any objects in the boot with care
to prevent abrupt braking from throwing
them forwards.
– Avoid heavy meals before a journey. A
light meal will help to keep reflexes ready.
Above all avoid alcohol.
Routinely remember to check:
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– engine oil level;
– engine coolant fluid level and system
conditions;
– brake fluid level;
– power steering oil level;
– windscreen washer fluid level.
WHEN TRAVELLING
– The first rule for safe driving is care.
– Care also means being able to predict
the actions of other road users.
– Strictly respect the traffic regulations in
all countries, especially the speed limits.
– Ensure that both yourself and your pas-
sengers are wearing their seat belts, that
children are carried with the appropriate
seats and that any animals are in appropri-
ate compartments.
– Long distances should be tackled in good
health.
Driving under the influence
of drugs and/or some
medicines is highly dangerous for
oneself and for others.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
180
DRIVING WITH RAIN
Rain and wet roads can be dangerous.
If the road is wet, the traction between
wheel and asphalt is greatly reduced, thus
increasing the stopping distance and de-
creasing road holding.
Here are a few suggestions in the case of
rain:
– Reduce speed and keep further back
from the vehicle in front.
– Heavy rain also reduces visibility. In
these cases, turn on the headlights even dur-
ing the day to make yourself more visible
to others.
– Do not drive over puddles at high speed
and hold the steering wheel firmly: you may
lose control of the car (aquaplaning).
– Position the ventilation controls for
demisting (as described in the chapter (“Get-
ting to know your car”), to prevent visibili-
ty from worsening.
– Routinely check the conditions of the
windscreen wiper blades.
DRIVING IN FOG
– If fog is very thick, avoid travelling
where possible. If travelling with mist,
ground fog or the possibility of fog banks:
– Drive at moderate speed.
– Also in the day turn on the dipped-beam
headlights, rear fog guards and front fog
lights. Do not use the main-beam headlights.
IMPORTANTIf visibility in some parts
improves, switch off the rear fog guards; the
intense light disturbs the occupants of ve-
hicles behind.
– Remember that fog also involves wet
asphalt, thus greater difficulty in all types of
manoeuvres and longer stopping distances.
– Keep well away from the vehicle in
front.
– Where possible avoid sudden changes
in speed.
– Possibly avoid overtaking other vehicles.
– If the vehicle is forced to stop (faults,
impossibility to continue due to poor visi-
bility, etc.), firstly try to pull off the road.
Then turn on the hazard warning lights and,
if possible the dipped-beam headlights.
Rhythmically sound the horn if you note an-
other car coming.
MOUNTAIN DRIVING
– When travelling down hill use the en-
gine braking by engaging lower gears to pre-
vent the brakes from overheating.
– Never coast down hill with the engine
off or in neutral and especially not with the
ignition key removed.
– Drive at a moderate speed and avoid
cutting corners.
– Remember that overtaking up hill is
slower and therefore requires a greater
length of clear road. If you are being over-
taken on a hill, move over to enable the oth-
er vehicle to pass in safety.