2008 Alfa Romeo 159 ignition

169
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIR BAGS
DEACTIVATED
(amber)
The warning light (set on the front ceil-
ing light panel) turns on when passen-
ger’s front air bags, passenger’s knees
air bag (where provided) and passen-
ger’s front side bag are deactivated
through the relevant key switch (for ver-
sions/markets where applicable).
With passenger's air bags active, when
fitting the electronic key into the ignition
device the warning light will turn on for
about 4 seconds, will flash for the next
4 seconds and then it will turn off.
F
–Car heavy duty(e.g.: towing trail-
er uphill or fully laden car): decrease
speed, if the warning light stays on, stop
the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes leaving
the engine on and slightly accelerated to
further activate the circulation of the
coolant fluid, then switch the engine off.
IMPORTANTUnder severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly ac-
celerated for few minutes before switch-
ing it off.
Warning light Ffailure
is indicated by warning
light
¬. In addition, the air bag
system will deactivate auto-
matically the passenger's front
air bag (front and side). Before
restarting contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services immedi-
ately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
ENGINE COOLANT
HIGH TEMPERATURE
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition device,
the warning light (set on engine coolant
gauge) turns on but it shall go off after
a few seconds.
The warning light turns on (on certain
versions a dedicated message is dis-
played) to indicate engine overheating.
If the warning light comes on, 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 MINmarl. 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
andMAXmarks in the reservoir. Check
visually any leak. If when restarting the
warning light comes on again, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
u
With engine hot, do not
remove the cap: risk of
burnt.
WARNING

170
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
ENGINE OIL
HIGH TEMPERATURE
Fitting the key into the ignition
device, the warning light (set on engine
oil temperature gauge) turns on but it
should go off after a few seconds. Warn-
ing light turning on when travelling (on
certain versions together with the mes-
sage on the display) indicates that en-
gine oil is too hot; switch the engine off
and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
If warning light
`
starts flashing when
travelling contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
LOW ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE
EXHAUST OIL
(diesel versions)
Low engine oil pressure
On certain versions, fitting the key into
the ignition device, the warning light
turns on but it should go off as soon as
the engine has started.After the first indication, at each engine
starting the warning light
vwill go
on flashing for about 1 minute and then
every 2 hours until oil is changed.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
The warning light (where pro-
vided) turns on, but it should go off as
soon as the engine has started (with the
engine running at idle speed a brief de-
lay in going out is allowed).
If the warning light (or as an alternative,
on certain versions, a symbol and a mes-
sage are displayed) stays on glowing
steadily or flashing contact immediate-
ly Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
w
`v
If the warning light
(or as an alternative,
on certain versions, a symbol
and a message are displayed)
comes on when travelling,
stop immediately and contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
WARNING
If warning light v
starts flashing, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible to
have the engine oil changed and
the instrument panel (or symbol
von the display) switched
off.
Exhaust oil (diesel versions)
The warning light (where provided) with
turn on flashing (on certain versions a
message is displayed) when the system
detects that the engine oil is exhaust.

171
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
BOOT OPEN
On certain versions message
and symbol
R(red) are
displayed to indicate that boot is
open.
BONNET OPEN
(where provided)
On certain versions message
and symbol
S(red) are displayed to
indicate that bonnet is open.
INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE (diesel
versions - amber)
EOBD SYSTEM
FAILURE
(petrol versions -
amber)
(optional for
versions/markets
where applicable)
Injection system failure
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off when the engine has started.
The warning light stays on or it turns on
when travelling to indicate a malfunc-
tion in the injection/exhaust system
with possible lack of performance, poor
driveability and high consumption.
In these conditions it is possible to con-
tinue driving without however requiring
heavy effort or high speed from the en-
gine. In any case, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.EOBD system failure
(optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
Under normal conditions, fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device, the
warning light turns on, but it should go
off when the engine has started. This in-
dicates proper operation of the warn-
ing light.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
when travelling:
– glowing steadily (on certain ver-
sions together with the message on the
display): means a fault in the sup-
ply/ignition system which could cause
high emissions at the exhaust, possible
lack of performance, poor handling and
high consumption levels. In these con-
ditions it is possible to continue driving
without however requiring heavy effort
or high speed from the engine. Pro-
longed use of the car with the warning
light on may cause damages. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
The warning light goes off if the fault
disappears, but it is however stored by
the system.
INCOMPLETE DOOR
LOCKING (red)
The warning light (where pro-
vided) (or symbol on the display) turns
on when one or more doors, the boot or
the bonnet (where provided) are not
properly shut.
U´
S
R

172
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR PROTECTION
SYSTEM FAILURE
(amber)
STEERING LOCK
INHIBITION
(amber)
Car protection system failure
Warning light (where provided) coming
on (on certain versions a message is dis-
played) indicates car protecting system
failure: in this event contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.
Steering lock inhibition
Warning light (where provided) turns on
(on certain versions a message is dis-
played) when removing the electronic
key from the ignition device when the
car has turned off while travelling.
ALARM FAILURE
(where provided)
(amber)
BREAK-IN ATTEMPT
(amber)
ELECTRONIC KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED
(amber)
Alarm failure
The turning on of the warning light (where
provided) (on certain versions a message
is displayed) indicates that there is a fail-
ure in the alarm system. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as soon as
possible.
Break-in attempt
The turning on of the warning light (where
provided) (on certain versions a message
is displayed) indicates an attempt of
break-in. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
Electronic key not recognized
The turning on of the warning light (where
provided) (on certain versions a message
is displayed) indicates that the electronic
key being used is not enabled. – flashing: indicates the possibility of
damage to the catalyst (see “EOBD sys-
tem” in section “Dashboard and con-
trols”). If the light flashes, it is neces-
sary to release the accelerator pedal to
lower the speed of the engine until the
warning light stops flashing; continue
the journey at moderate speed, trying
to avoid driving conditions that may
cause further flashing and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as soon as
possible.
If when fitting the key in-
to the ignition device, the
warning light
Udoes
not turn on or if turns on with
fixed light or flashing when the
car is travelling, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible. Warning light
Uoperation can by checked by
traffic agents by proper equip-
ment therefore, comply with
laws and regulations in force in
the country where you are dri-
ving.
>Y

173
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
This cycle is performed only once when
the outside temperature read is lower
than or equal to 3°C and it can be re-
peated only when outside temperature
exceeds
6 °C and then falls down to 3 °C or be-
low.
IMPORTANTIn the event of outside
temperature sensor failure, the display
will show dashes instead of the value.PRE-HEATING
GLOW PLUGS
(diesel versions -
amber)
PRE-HEATING
GLOW PLUGS
FAILURE
(diesel
versions - amber)
Pre-heating glow plugs
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on and it will turn
off when glow plugs reach the preset
temperature. Start the engine immedi-
ately after warning light switching off.
IMPORTANTWith mild or hot ambi-
ent temperature, warning light stays on
for very short time.
m
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE
ON THE ROAD
When the outside temperature reaches
or falls below 3°C, the display will show
a warning message, symbol
√, and a
buzzer will sound to warn the driver of
the possible presence of ice on the road.
On certain versions, once the above
warning indication cycle is over or when
pressing briefly the button MENU:
– the displayed message goes off and
previously active screen is displayed
again;
– temperature indication stops flashing;
– symbol
√stays displayed at the bot-
tom right of the screen (until outside
temperature is lower than or equal to
6°C).

175
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
EBD SYSTEM
FAILURE
(red)
(amber)
With the engine running the
turning on at the same time of
the
>andxwarning lights (on cer-
tain versions together with the message
on the display) indicates that the EBD
system is inefficient; in this case heavy
braking may cause the rear wheels to
lock before time, with the possibility of
skidding.
Drive with the utmost care to the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Service to
have the system checked.
VDC SYSTEM
(where provided)
(amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off after few seconds.
The warning light flashes when the VDC
cuts in, to alert the driver that the sys-
tem is adapting to the road surface grip
conditions.
VDC deactivation
When the VDC is deactivated manually
(pressing the ASR/VDC button for 2 sec-
onds) (see paragraph “VDC system” in
section “Dashboard and controls”) the
instrument panel warning light turns on
(on certain versions a message is dis-
played).
VDC failure
In case of failure, the VDC system will
deactivate automatically and the in-
strument panel warning light
áwill turn
on glowing steadily (on certain versions
a message will also be displayed). In
this case contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
ABS SYSTEM
FAILURE (amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition
device the warning light turns on, but
it should go off after few seconds.
The warning light turns on (on certain
versions a dedicated message is dis-
played) when the system is inefficient.
In this case the braking system keeps
its effectiveness unchanged, but without
the potential offered by the ABS system.
Drive carefully and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.
>
>
xá

176
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
ASR SYSTEM
(WHEEL ANTISKID
SYSTEM)
(amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off after few seconds. The warning
light flashes when the system cuts in, to
alert the driver that the system is adapt-
ing to the road surface grip conditions.
ASR deactivation
When the ASR is deactivated manually
(pressing the ASR/VDC button) (see
paragraph “ASR system” in section
“Dashboard and controls”) the
ASR/VDC button turns on (on versions
fitted with “Reconfigurable multifunction
display” symbol
Vis also displayed).
ASR failure
In the event of a failure the ASR system
is deactivated automatically and on ver-
sions fitted with “Reconfigurable multi-
function display” the symbol
Vis dis-
played. In this case contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.
á
EXTERNAL LIGHTS
FAILURE
(amber)
The warning light (where provided)
turns on (on certain versions a message
is displayed) when one of the following
lights is failing:
– sidelights
– direction indicators
– rear fog guards
– number plate lights.
The failure referring to these lights could
be: one or more blown bulbs, a blown
protection fuse or an electric connection
cut-off.
W
HILL HOLDER
FAILURE
(where provided)
(amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition device,
the warning light (where provided) turns
on, but it should go off after a few sec-
onds.
If the warning light stays on (on certain
versions a message is displayed) there
is a failure in the Hill Holder system. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
*

182
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, it is possible to start
the engine using an auxiliary battery
with the same capacity or a little high-
er than the flat one.
Proceed as follows fig. 1:
❒ Connect positive terminals (+ near
the terminal) of the two batteries
with a jump lead;
❒ With a second lead, connect the neg-
ative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery and to an earthing point
E
on the engine of the car to be start-
ed;
❒Start the engine;
❒When the engine has been started,
remove the leads reversing the or-
der above.If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not insist but contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Service.
IMPORTANTDo not directly connect
the negative terminals of the two bat-
teries: sparks could ignite the flamma-
ble gas from the battery. If the other bat-
tery is fitted in another car, prevent ac-
cidental contacts between the metal
parts of the two cars.
Under no circumstances
should a battery charger
be used to start the en-
gine: it could damage the elec-
tronic systems and in particular
the ignition and injection control
units.
Do not carry out this
procedure if you lack
experience; if it is not done
correctly it can cause very in-
tense electrical discharges. In
addition, the fluid contained in
the battery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
skin and eyes. You are also ad-
vised not to put naked flames
or lighted cigarettes near the
battery and not to cause
sparks.
WARNING
A0E0201mfig. 1