2004 Alfa Romeo 156 ignition

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR95
Warning light Message
on display¬
AIR BAG FAILUREWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light on the check panel comes on, but must
go out after a few seconds. This warning light will come on glowing steadily if there is an operating
failure in the Air bag system.
F
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG DEACTIVATEDThe check panel warning light
F
turns on when the passenger’s front Air bag is deactivated by means
of the relevant key switch. With the passenger’s front Air bag activated, turning the ignition key to
MAR, the warning light on the check panel comes on but must go out after approx. 4 seconds.
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 Ser-
vices to have the system checked immediately.
The failure of the warning light
¬
(warning light off) is also indicated by the
flashing of the passenger’s front Air bag deactivated warning light
F
for more
than the normal seconds.
WARNING
Warning light Findicates also warning light ¬failure. This is indi-
cated by intermittent flashing, over 4 seconds, of warning light F.
In this event, warning light ¬could be not up to indicate restraint system fail-
ures, if any. Stop the car and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to have
the system checked immediately.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR96
<
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENEDThe warning light on the check panel will turn on for some seconds when, with the ignition key at
MAR, the driver’s seat belt is not fastened properly.
Warning lightMessage
on displayv
LOW OIL PRESSUREWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light on the check panel comes on but
must go out as soon as the engine is started.
w
LOW BATTERY CHARGEWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light on the check panel comes on, but must
go out as soon as the engine is started (a slight delay is permitted when the engine is running at
idle). It if stays on, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services immediately.
If the warning light
v
comes on when travelling (together with
the message + symbol shown on the display), switch the engine off im-
mediately and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR98
Warning lightMessage
on displayU
ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM (EOBD) FAILUREIn normal conditions, turning the ignition key to MAR, the dial warning light turns on but it should
go off when the engine has started. The initial turning on indicates that the warning light is work-
ing properly.
If the warning light stays on or turns on (together with the message + symbol shown on the dis-
play) when travelling:
glowing steadily- indicates a fault in the supply/ignition/injection system which could cause
high exhaust emissions, possible lack of performance, poor handling and high consumption levels.
In these conditions, it is possible to continue driving without however demanding heavy effort or
high speeds. Prolonged use of the car with the warning light on may cause damage. Contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorized Service as soon as possible.
The warning light turns off if the fault disappears, but it is still stored by the system;
flashing- indicates that the catalyst could be damaged (see paragraph on “EOBD system” in this
chapter).
If the warning light flashes, it is necessary to release the accelerator pedal to lower the speed un-
til the warning light stops flashing; continue travelling at moderate speed trying to avoid driving
conditions that could cause the warning light to flash again. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vice as soon as possible.
If, when turning the ignition key to MAR, the warning light
U
does
not switch on or if it turns on glowing steadily or flashing when trav-
elling, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Service as soon as possible. The
operation of the warning light
U
can be checked by traffic agents by proper
equipment, therefore comply with the regulations in force in the country where
you are driving.

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
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.