2008 FIAT IDEA dashboard

5
FIAT IDEA LPG
The system extreme operat-
ing temperatures are between
-20°C and 100°C.
Selecting the type of fuel supply
The car is configured to run independently
on either petrol or LPG.
The engine is always started on petrol
with an automatic shift to LPG after about
40 seconds, at the first significant accel-
eration.
This is the time required to reach opti-
mum conditions (engine coolant temper-
ature, minimum revs level) for the switch
to LPG. As far as what has been said
is concerned, there must always be
some petrol in the tank (at least 1/4
full)in order not to compromise fuel
pump operation.
In addition, from time to time it is advis-
able to use up all the petrol in the tank
(until the reserve warning light comes on),
in order to ensure that the petrol does
not become old and possibly deteriorate. When running on LPG, when
the last red LED gas quantity
indicator (visible on the
switch) comes on, you should
refuel. If the LPG runs out during LPG
operation, the system automatically
switches to running on petrol shown by:
the amber LED coming on constantly
and the green LED flashing, the fuel
level LEDs going out and a buzzer
sounded by the switch.
The petrol/LPG switch A - Fig. 1, locat-
ed on the protective fuse compartment
(on the left of the dashboard) allows the
driver to select petrol or LPG operation
at your own discretion.
fig. 1F0H0774m
Please remember that after
filling the LPG tank, you will
need to switch fuel by press-
ing the button A-fig 1 to run
the engine on LPG.
The LPG supply system is
equipped with a "consump-
tion" function linked to the LED display
of LPG level on the switch; this function
activates only after a consistent varia-
tion in fuel level has been detected. You
are therefore advised to fill up with fu-
el at the first LPG refuelling to obtain a
more precise indication of the “level".
WARNING
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12
FIAT IDEA LPG
ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNIT
The vehicle has a dedicated electronic
control unit for the LPG system; it uses
the incoming signals from the petrol in-
jection control unit and converts them in-
to signals for LPG injection.
The injector control unit works in the
same way as the petrol control unit
(phased, sequential, multipoint).
LPG/PETROL SWITCH
The LPG/petrol switch fig. 7is located
near the protective fuse compartment (on
the left of the dashboard) and includes:
A. LPG/petrol operating mode request
button;
B. LPG gauge: 5 LEDs, 4 green and 1 red
to indicate the reserve. The red LED on-
ly comes on when the last green LED goes
out.
The red LED indicates that you are run-
ning on reserve;
ON. LPG operating mode indicator:
green LED, located under button A, on
constantly;
OFF. petrol operating mode indicator:
yellow LED, located above button A, on
constantly.
IMPORTANT When the ignition key is set
to MAR, the LEDs on the ignition switch
come on in accordance with the following
logic:
– with the petrol operating mode se-
lected: yellow OFFLED on;
– with the LPG operating mode se-
lected: all the LEDs in the switch are on
constantly and the green ONLED flash-
es.To select the type of fuel system desired
(LPG or petrol), press button A - Fig. 7.
To change the type of fuel system, it is ad-
visable to operate the button with the ve-
hicle stationary and the engine running or,
whilst driving, after having released the ac-
celerator.
If switching takes place during acceleration
or pick-up, there may be a brief flat spot
(drop in power).
fig. 7F0H0780m
Do not switch between the
two operating modes whilst
starting the engine.
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14
FIAT IDEA LPG
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM
In the event of an impact to the vehicle,
the petrol supply is cut off immediately,
causing the engine to cut out and, as a re-
sult, the LPG safety solenoid valves to
close.
For further information, please see the
‘Fuel cut off system’ paragraph in the
‘Dashboard and Controls’ chapter in the
Owner’s Handbook.
STARTING THE
ENGINE
The engine is always started on petrol,
even with the switch in the LPG position
(green LED flashing, yellow LED on con-
stantly) and switches automatically soon
after.
There must always be some petrol in the
tank to protect the petrol pump.
To carry out the starting manoeuvre cor-
rectly, see the warnings and advice in the
Owner Handbook under the chapter
“Starting the engine” enclosed with this
Supplement.
In this situation, you can con-
tinue driving, with the car run-
ning on petrol (excluding the
LPG fuel system). To stop the
buzzer, press button A: the green ON
LED will go out and the yellow OFF
LED will remain on constantly. Go to a
Fiat Dealer as soon as possible to have
the system checked.
System failure signalling
The car has a self-diagnostic system ca-
pable of signalling any malfunctions in the
LPG fuel system through the green ON
LED Fig. 7flashing. In the event of faults
that could affect correct engine operation,
the LPG control unit will automatically
switch from LPG operation to running on
petrol.
This situation will be shown by:
– the yellow OFFLED on constantly;
– the green ONLED flashing;
– an acoustic warning sounded by the
switch buzzer (slow frequency).
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