Alfa Romeo 156 2004 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR99
Warning light Message
on displayY
ALFA ROMEO CODE SYSTEMWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light on the check panel should flash only
once and then go out. If the warning light stays on with the key at MAR, this indicates a possible
failure: see “Alfa Romeo CODE System”.
WARNINGThe turning on at the same time of
U
and
Y
warning lights indicates a failure of
the Alfa Romeo CODE System.
If with the engine running, the
Y
warning light flashes, this means that the car is not protected
by the engine inhibitor device (see “Alfa Romeo CODE system” in this chapter). Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services to have all the keys memorised.
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE ON THE ROADWhen the outside temperature is below or equal to 3° C, in order to warn the driver on the pres-
ence of ice on the road, message + symbol are displayed accompanied by the related buzz.
The buzz lasts about 2 seconds while the message is displayed for about 10 seconds. After this
period, only the symbol is displayed until the temperature does not go over 6° C or until the en-
gine stops.
If during travelling, after the presence of ice on the road has been signalled, should temperature
rise over 6° C the symbol will go off and should temperature fall again to 3° C, a new message +
symbol will be displayed accompanied by the buzz.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
100
Warning light Message
on displaym
GLOW PLUGS (JTD engines)When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the dial warning light comes on and go out when the
glow plugs have reached the pre-established temperature.
Start the engine as soon as the warning light has gone out.
WARNINGWith a high environment temperature, the warning light may turn on for an imper-
ceptible length of time. For versions/markets where applicable, the warning light flashes for approx.
30 seconds after starting the engine, which means that there is a fault in the glow plug warming
system, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
c
WATER IN THE FUEL OIL FILTER (JTD engines)The warning light switches on with fixed light when driving, to indicate the presence of water in
the fuel oil filter.
The presence of water in the fuel circuit may cause serious damage to
the entire injection system and cause irregular engine operation. If warn-
ing light
c
comes on the dial, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible to have the system relieved. Should the above warning in-
dication come one immediately after topping up, water has probably been poured
into the tank: turn the engine off immediately and contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
101
Warning light Message
on display
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCHThe message + symbol are shown on the display when the fuel cut-off switch comes into operation.ENGINE OIL SENSOR FAILURE (JTD versions)The message + symbol are shown on the display when there is a failure in the engine oil level
sensor. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon as possible to have the fault eliminated.
If, after the message has been displayed, you can smell fuel or notice
leaks from the supply system, do not re-engage the switch to avoid
the risk of fire.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
102
Warning light Message
on display>
INEFFICIENT ABS SYSTEMWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light comes on but must go out after a
few seconds.
This warning light comes on (together with the message + symbol, where required, on the display)
when the system is inefficient. In this case, normal braking is ensured, though without making use
of the ABS system. Caution is recommended, especially in cases of less than perfect grip. In any
case, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon as possible.Inefficient EBD electronic braking distributor
x>+
The vehicle is equipped with an electronic braking distributor (EBD). Si-
multaneous lighting of dial warning lights
>
and
x
(together with the
message + symbol on the display) with the engine running indicates an EBD
system failure; in this case, any sudden braking action can cause early locking
of rear wheels, with possible sideslip. Drive very carefully and go immediately
to the nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized Service to have the system checked.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
103
Warning light Message
on displayá
VDC SYSTEM (VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL)
(optional for versions/markets where applicable)When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the dial warning light comes on but must go out after
a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go out, or if it stays on (together with the message + symbol on the
display and the coming on of the ASR button led) when the vehicle is running, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
The flashing of the warning lamp when the vehicle is running indicates the actuation of the VDC
system.
W
OUTSIDE LIGHT FAILUREThe warning light comes on when an anomaly is found in one of the following lights:
– sidelights
– braking lights or corresponding fuse
– rear fog guards
– number plate lights.
The warning of a fault may mean one or more blown bulbs, a burnt fuse or cut off connection.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
104
Warning light Message
on display
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED The message + symbol turns on, together with the sound of the buzzer, on the display when the
vehicle exceeds the speed limit set previously (see “Speed limit” in this section).
ç
FUEL RESERVEThe warning light comes on when about 7 litres of fuel are left in the tank, and when the car
range is below 50 km.REDUCED RANGE This message is displayed when the car range is below 50 km.SCHEDULED MAINTENANCEThis message appears on the display 2,000 kilometres from the deadline given in the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme (every 20,000 km) and it is shown again at timed intervals, turning the
ignition key to MARevery 200 km.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
105
Warning light Message
on displayR
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR (INTERMITTENT) This warning light comes on when the control lever is moved downwards or, together with right-
hand indicator, when the hazard warning lights are switched on.
4
5
REAR FOG LIGHTSThis warning light comes on when the rear fog lights are turned on.FRONT FOG LIGHTS
(optional for versions/markets where applicable)This warning light comes on when the front fog lights are turned on.
E
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR (INTERMITTENT)This warning light comes on when the control lever is moved upwards or, together with the left-
hand indicator, when the hazard warning lights are switched on.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
106
l
DIRECTION INDICATORS IF A TRAILER IS TOWEDThe warning light on the dial comes on when the direction indicator control lever is moved up or
down, or when the hazard warning light button is pressed.
Warning light Message
on display1
MAIN-BEAM HEADLIGHTSThe warning light comes on when these lights are turned on.
3Ü
SIDELIGHTS AND DIPPED-BEAM HEADLIGHTSThe warning light on the dial comes on when the sidelights or dipped-beam headlights are
switched on.CONSTANT SPEED ADJUSTMENT (CRUISE CONTROL)
(where applicable)The warning light on the check panel turns on, with the knurled ring of the cruise control in the
ON position, when the device starts to intervene on the engine.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
107
Warning light
on the dialMessage
on display
SELESPEED GEARBOX FAILURETurning the ignition key to MAR, the warning light on the cluster shall come on and then go off af-
ter about 4 seconds. If the warning light stays on, it indicates that a fault has been detected in the Se-
lespeed gearbox; at the same time, the buzzer beeps intermittently for 4 seconds to draw the atten-
tion of the driver. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible to remove the fault.Q-SYSTEM AUTOMATIC GEARBOX FAILURETurning the ignition key to MAR, the warning light on the cluster shall come on and then go off
after about 4 seconds. If the warning light stays on or turns on when travelling, it indicates over-
heated gearbox oil (glowing steadily) or a gearbox fault (flashing).
Warning light glowing steadily: it indicates that the gearbox oil has reached the maxi-
mum established temperature.
To make oil cooling down, stop the car, move the lever to Por Nand let the engine idle until the
warning light goes out. Resume driving without demanding high performance from the engine. If
the warning light comes on again, it is necessary to stop again with the engine idling until it goes
out again. If the interval between one lighting up of the warning light and next is below 15 minutes,
you are advised to stop the car, turn the engine off and wait for the engine-gearbox unit to cool down
completely. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible.
Warning light flashing: it indicates a fault in the automatic gearbox.
The automatic control system provides an emergency programme. Under these circumstances,
you are advised to stop the car and turn the engine off; in fact, the next time the engine is started,
the self-diagnostic system could cut off the fault which will however be memorised. Conversely, if
the fault remains (warning light flashing), it is necessary to select the gears manually as if driving
a car with mechanical gearbox, bearing in mind that the only two speeds available are the 2
ndand
4
thgear. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible.
t
t

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
108
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM1Central defrosting/demisting vents for windscreen - 2Adjustable upper side vents - 3Defrosting/demisting vents for side windows -
4Adjustable side air outlets - 5Adjustable upper vent - 6Adjustable centre, swivel vents - 7Front feet area fixed vents - 8Rear feet area
fixed vents - 9Rear adjustable swivel outlets. fig. 94
A0A0571m