2007 FIAT IDEA check engine

IGNITION SWITCH
The key can be turned to 3 different positions:
❒STOP: engine off, key can be removed, steering column locked.
Certain electrical devices (e.g.: sound system, power windows…) can
work.
❒MAR: driving position. All electrical devices are powered.
❒AVV: engine starting (unstable position).
The ignition switch is fitted with a safety mechanism that, in the event the
engine is not started, turns back the ignition key to STOP before
repeating the starting operation.
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
When the key is to STOP remove the key and turn the steering wheel
until it locks.
Disengaging
Rock the steering wheel slightly as you turn the ignition key to MAR.
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Never remove the ignition key while the car is moving. The steering wheel would
automatically lock as soon as you try to turn it. This also applies when the car is
being towed.WARNING
WARNINGWhen getting out of the car, always remove the key to prevent any occupants from
accidentally activating the controls. Remember to engage the handbrake. If the car is
parked on uphill slope to engage the first gear. If the car is facing downhill, engage
the reverse gear. Never leave unsupervised children in the car.
F0H0021m
If the ignition device is tampered with (e.g.: attempted theft), have it checked over
by a Fiat Dealership.WARNING

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INITIAL CHECK
Turning the ignition key to MAR, the multifunction display shows the message “Checking”: the diagnostic phase of all
the electronic systems on the car has started. This lasts few seconds: if no faults are detected, when the engine has
started, the display shows the “Check OK” message.
See section “Warning lights and messages” if faults are found.
Is the engine
started?YES
If no failures are
present
The “Service schedule” includes vehicle maintenance every 20,000 km (or 12,000 mi) or every year; this is shown automatically, with the
ignition key at MAR, starting from 2,000 km (or 1,240 mi) or 30 days from this deadline and it is shown again every 200 km (or 124 mi) or
3 days. For 1.3 Multijet versions, see “Care and Maintenance” in section “Service schedule to change engine oil and filter and air cleaner.
When a programmed maintenance interval (coupon) is near to come, turning the ignition key to MAR, will display the message “Service”
followed by the number of km, or days to go before car servicing. “Scheduled servicing” message is displayed in km, miles or days according
to the approaching service interval. Contact a Fiat Dealership to carry out any service operation provided by the “Service schedule” or
“Annual inspection plan”, and to reset the display.
If the display shows a failure message,
see details in section “Warning lights
and messages”.
Standard
screen display or
NO

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TO CLOSE THE BONNET
Proceed as follows:
❒hold the bonnet up with one hand and with the
other remove rod (C) from recess (D) and replace
it in its locking device (E);
❒lower the bonnet at approx. 20 centimetres from
the engine compartment and then let it drop,
ensuring that it is fully closed and not just held in
position by the safety catch. If the bonnet does not
close properly, do not push it down but open it
again and repeat the above procedure.IMPORTANT Always check that the bonnet is closed
properly to avoid its opening while the car is travelling.
WARNINGIf the supporting rod is not positioned correctly the bonnet may fall violently.
WARNINGCarry out operations when the vehicle is stationary.

EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board Diagnosis)
allows continuos diagnosis of the components of the
car correlated with emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the warning light
Uon the instrument panel (together, where
provided, with the message on the reconfigurable
multifunction display - see the “Warning lights”
chapter) when these components are no longer in
peak conditions.
The objective is:
❒to keep system efficiency under control;
❒to warn when a fault causes emission levels to
increase;
❒to warn of the need to replace deteriorated
components.The system also has a diagnostic connector that can be
interfaced with appropriate tools, which makes it
possible to read the error codes stored in the control
unit, together with a series of specific parameters for
engine operation and diagnosis. This check can also be
carried out by the traffic police.
IMPORTANT After eliminating the inconvenience, to
check the system completely, Fiat Dealerships are
obliged to run a bench test and, if necessary, road
tests which may also call for a long journey.
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If turning the ignition key to MAR, the warning light Udoes not turn on or if, while travelling, it turns
on glowing steadily or flashing, (on some versions together with the message on the reconfigurable
multifunction display), contact Fiat Dealership as soon as possible. The operation of warning light U
can be checked by the traffic police. Attain to the rules enforced in the country where the car is being used.

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SAFETY
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GENERAL WARNINGS
WARNING
If warning light ¬does not come on when turning the key to MAR or if it stays on
when travelling it could indicate a failure in restraint systems; in this case air bags
or pretensioners could not trigger in the event of an accident, or in a restricted
numbers of cases they could trigger accidentally. Stop the car and contact Fiat
Dealership to have the system checked immediately.WARNING
WARNINGAlways keep your hands on the steering wheel rim when driving, so that if the air
bag is triggered, it can inflate without meeting any obstacles which could cause
serious harm to you. Do not drive with the body bent forwards, keep the seat back
rest in the erect position and lean your back well against it. Do not cover the back rest of front seats with trims or covers there are not set for
the use of side bags.
If the car has been stolen or an attempt to steal it has been made, if it has been
subjected to vandals or floods, have the air bag system checked by Fiat Dealership.WARNING
WARNINGRemember that with the key engaged and in the MAR position, even with the
engine not running, the air bags may be triggered on a stationary vehicle if it is
bumped by another moving car. Therefore, never seat children on the front seat
even when the vehicle is stationary. On the other hand remember that if the key is
at STOP, no safety system (air bags or pretensioners) is triggered in the event of an
impact; in these case, failure to come into action cannot be considered as a sign
that the system is not working properly.

CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may help you to
keep the running costs of your car down and lower
the amount of toxic emissions released into the
atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in
accordance with the “Service schedule”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at an
interval of no more than 4 weeks: if the pressure is
too low, consumption levels increase as resistance to
rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage stowed in the
boot. The weight of the car (especially when driving in
town) and its trim greatly affects consumption and
stability.Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof as
soon as they are no longer used. These accessories
lower air penetration and adversely affect
consumption levels. When needing to carry
particularly voluminous objects, preferably use a
trailer.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount of time
needed. Rear heated window, additional headlights,
windscreen wipers and heater fan need a considerable
amount of energy, therefore increasing the
requirement of current increases fuel consumption (up
to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control
The air conditioner is an additional load which greatly
affects the engine leading to higher consumption (on
average up to +20%). When the temperature outside
the vehicle permits it, use the air vents where possible.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified aerodynamic items may
adversely affect air drag and consumption levels.
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CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month,
the following precautions should be noted:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if possible well-
ventilated premises;
❒engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is not engaged;
❒disconnect battery terminals (first disconnect the
negative terminal) and check the battery charge.
This check is to be repeated every three months
when the car is left inactive. Recharge if the optical
indicator shows a dark colour without the central
green area;
❒clean and protect the painted parts using protective
wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts using
special compounds readily available;❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen
and rear window wiper blades and lift them off the
glass;
❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a cloth or perforated plastic
sheet. Do not use sheets of non-perforated plastic
as they do not allow moisture on the car body to
evaporate;
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the normal specified
pressure and check it at intervals;
❒if you don’t disconnect the battery from the
electric system, check its charge every month and
recharge it if the optical indicator shows a dark
colour without the central green area;
❒do not drain the engine cooling system.
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ENGINE COOLANT FLUID HIGH
TEMPERATURE
Turning the ignition key to MAR the warning
light on the dial turns on, but it should go off
after few seconds.
The warning light turns on (on certain versions
together with the message on the display) when
the engine is overheated. If the warning light
comes on when driving, proceed as follows:
❒normal driving conditions: stop the car,
switch off the engine and check whether the
water level in the reservoir is not below the
MIN mark. Otherwise wait for few seconds
to allow engine cooling, then open slowly and
carefully the cap, top up coolant and check
whether its level is falling between MIN and
MAX marks in the reservoir. Check visually
any leak. If when restarting the warning light
comes on again, contact a Fiat Dealership;
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red
Warning
light on dialMessage on reconfigurable
multifunction displayMessage on
multifunction display