2008 FIAT ULYSSE warning light

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
118
MBA AND HBA
SYSTEMS
(where fitted)
The MBA (Mechanic Brake Assis-
tance) and HBA (Hydraulic Brake As-
sistance) systems increase braking
pressure in emergency braking. When
the driver is forced by the critical dri-
ving conditions to press violently the
brake pedal, the system increases the
braking pressure to assure the quick-
est vehicle stop.
These two systems behave in the
same way, the only difference is that
one increases braking pressure
through the ESP control unit and the
other with a mechanic action. By following these indications you
will be able to brake in the best con-
ditions in all events.
IMPORTANTVehicles fitted with
ABS may only be fitted with wheel
rims, tyres and brake pads of the make
and model approved by the vehicle
manufacturer.
The system is completed with an
Electronic Brake Distributor EBD
which increases the brake system per-
formance and employs the ABS con-
trol unit and sensors.
If the xbrake fluid low
warning light comes on,
stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and contact the nearest Fi-
at Dealership. Fluid leaks from
the hydraulic system, in fact, can
compromise brake system oper-
ation, both traditional systems
and systems with ABS. The car is fitted with an
electronic braking device
(EBD). The xand >
warning lights will come on at the
same time when the engine is
running to indicate that there is
an EBD system failure. In this
case violent braking may be ac-
companied by early rear wheel
locking with the possibility of
skidding. Drive the car extreme-
ly carefully to the nearest Fiat
Dealership to have the system
checked.Warning light >alone,
with the engine running,
normally indicates a fault
in the ABS system. In this case,
the braking system is still effi-
cient, though without the an-
tilocking device. Under these
conditions, performance of the
EBD system may be reduced. Al-
so in this case, you are advised to
go immediately to the nearest Fi-
at Dealership, driving in such a
way to avoid sharp braking to
have the system checked.

Cars with ESP may only
be fitted with tyres of the
same make, model and
size and be in good conditions.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
120
ESP SYSTEM ACTION
The ESP system action is signalled by
warning light
ñflashing to inform the
driver that the vehicle stability and grip
are critical.
ESP failure indication
In the event of an ESP system failure,
it turns off automatically and warning
light
ñcomes on together with the
relative message on the multifunction
display.
In the event of an ESP system failure,
the vehicle behaves as the version
without this type of system. We rec-
ommend you to contact a Fiat Deal-
ership as soon as possible. The ESP main components are:
– an electronic control unit which
processes the sensor signals and ap-
plies the best strategy;
– an angle sensor which detects the
steering position;
– four sensors which detect each
wheel rotation speed;
– a braking system pressure sensor;
– a yawing sensor which detects the
vehicle spinning around a vertical axis;
– a sensor which detects side accel-
eration (centrifugal force).
The ESP heart is the control unit
which processes the centrifugal forces
deriving from cornering on the basis
of the data coming from the sensors
installed on the vehicle. The yawing
sensor detects the vehicle spinning
around its vertical axis. Centrifugal
forces resulting from cornering are de-
tected by a highly sensible side accel-
eration sensor.
The ESP stabilising action is based on
the control unit processing of data
coming from the steering wheel rota-
tion sensors, side acceleration sensors
and wheel rotation speed sensors.These signals make the control unit
recognise the driver’s manoeuvre
when he/she turns the steering wheel.
The control unit processes such in-
formation and is able to detect the ve-
hicle position at any time and compare
it with the driver’s wished direction. If
they do not match, the control unit is
able to adjust the vehicle’s position in-
stantly, by choosing the best strategy:
it can brake one or more wheels with
different force and reduce the engine
power, if needed.
Adjustments are made for continu-
ously adapting to the driver’s wished
travelling direction.
The ESP system action improves the
vehicle safety in many critical situations
and is useful especially when the
roadbed grip changes.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
122
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD (European On Board
Diagnosis) system fitted in this car
complies with Directive 98/69/CE
(EURO 3).
This system continuously monitors
the engine emission system compo-
nents. Furthermore, the system warns
the driver of deterioration concerning
the emission system components by
means of
Uwarning light on the in-
strument panel.
The objective is to:
– monitor system efficiency;
– warn when failures can increase
emissions over the threshold estab-
lished by the European regulations;
– warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.
Furthermore, the system is equipped
with a connector for interfacing with
specific tools used to read the error
codes stored in the control unit mem-
ory along with a set of diagnostic and
engine specific parameters. This check can also be performed by
traffic controller agents.
If, turning the ignition
key to M, the warning
light
Udoes not turn on
or if, while travelling it turns on
glowing steadily or flashing, con-
tact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible. Dealership as soon as
possible. Warning light
Uoper-
ation can be checked by traffic
controller agents by means of
special equipment. Always com-
ply with the traffic regulations in
force in the country where you
are travelling.
IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the
problem, your Fiat Dealershipwill
run a bench test to fully check the sys-
tem. In some cases, a long road test
may be required.
TYRE PRESSURE
MONITORING
SYSTEM - T.P.M.S.
(where provided)
The car can be equipped with the
T.P.M.S. (Tyre Pressure Monitoring
System). This system consists of a ra-
dio-frequency sensor, installed on each
wheel (on the rim inside the tyre) that
sends pressure information to the
control unit.
IMPORTANTSystem control unit
monitors the pressure of the four car
tyres but not the space-saver spare
wheel. It is therefore recommended
to always check also the space-saver
spare wheel pressure.
IMPORTANTPay the attention
when checking or inflating tyres. Ex-
cessive pressure impairs road holding,
increases suspension and wheel stress
and causes abnormal tyre wear.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
126
Deactivating the passenger’s
front air bag manually
The passenger’s front airbag can be
deactivated if it is absolutely necessary
to carry a child in the front passenger
seat.
Deactivation takes place using the ve-
hicle ignition key in the special key
switch on the right-hand side of the
dashboard fig. 170. Access to the
switch is only possible with the door
open.The key operated switch has two po-
sitions:
POSITION 1 (ON): passenger’s
front air bag activated, warning light
“
on instrument cluster off; it is ab-
solutely prohibited to carry a child on
the front seat;
POSITION 2 (OFF): passenger’s
front air bag activated, warning light
“
on instrument cluster on; it is possible
to carry a child protected by special
restraint system on the front seat.
The
“warning light on the cluster
stays on permanently until the pas-
senger’s air bag is reactivated.
The side airbag will work although
the front airbag is deactivated.
When the door is open, the key can
be inserted and removed in both po-
sitions.
fig. 170
F0B0113b
SERIOUS DANGER
The car is fitted
with an Air bag on
the passenger’s side. Do not place
a child’s seat on the front seat. In
the case of need, always deacti-
vate the passenger’s Air bag
when a child’s seat is placed on
the front seat. Even if not com-
pulsory by law, you are recom-
mended to reactivate the Air bag
immediately as soon as child
transport is no longer necessary.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
128
All control, repair and replacement
operations concerning the air bags
must only be carried out c/o Fiat
Dealership.
If the car is to be demolished, Fiat
Dealershipshould be contacted to
have the system deactivated.
If the vehicle changes ownership, the
new owner must be informed of the
method of use of air bags and the
above warnings and also be given this
“Owner handbook”.
IMPORTANTThe triggering of
pretensioners, front air bags and side
air bags is decided in a differentiated
manner by the electronic control unit,
depending on the type of crash. The
failure to deploy one or more of them
does not mean that the system is not
working properly.GENERAL NOTES
If the
¬warning light
does not turn on when
turning the ignition key to
M or if it stays on when travelling,
this could indicate a failure in
safety retaining systems; under
this condition air bags or preten-
sioners could not trigger in the
event of collision or, in a re-
stricted number of cases, they
could trigger accidentally. Stop
the car and contact Fiat Dealer-
ship to have the system checked
immediately.
When the ignition key is
turned to M, the warning
light
“(with the passen-
ger’s front air bag deactivation
switch in the ON position) turns
on for about 4 seconds and flash-
es for another 4 seconds to remind
that the passenger’s air bag and
side air bags will be deployed in a
crash, after which it should go off.
IMPORTANTTriggering of the air
bags releases a small amount of pow-
der. This powder is not harmful and
does not indicate the start of fire; al-
so the surface of the deployed bag and
the vehicle interior may be covered by
dusty residue: this may irritate the skin
and eyes. In the event of exposure,
wash with neutral soap and water.
The airbag system has a validity of 14
years for the pyrotechnic charge and
10 years for the coil contact . As this
date approaches, contact a Fiat Deal-
ership.
WARNINGSShould an accident
occur in which the Airbag is activated,
take the vehicle to a Fiat Dealership
to have the safety device, the elec-
tronic control unit, the seat belt, the
pretensioners and the electric system
checked.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
137
5)Wait for the warning light mto
go out. The hotter the engine is, the
quicker this will happen.
6)Turn the ignition key to Dimme-
diately after the mwarning light
goes out. If you wait too long, you will
lose the benefit of the work done by
the glow plugs. PROCEDURE FOR STARTING
1)Make sure the handbrake is up.
2)Put the gear lever in neutral.
3) Press down the clutch pedal.
4)Turn the ignition key to Mand in-
strument panel warning light mwill
come on.High current absorption electric de-
vices (climate control system, rear
heated window, etc.) are automatical-
ly deactivated during start-up.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to Sand then again to M. If it is still
impossible to start the engine, try with
the other key provided with the car.
If you are still unable to start the en-
gine, contact a Fiat Dealership.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
147
CHEAP RUNNING THAT RESPECTS
THE ENVIRONMENT
LOOKING AFTER EMISSION
CONTROL DEVICES
The correct use of pollution control
devices not only ensures respect for
the environment but also has an effect
on the car’s performance. Keeping
these devices in good condition is
therefore a fundamental rule for dri-
ving that is easy on your pocket and
on the environment too.
The first step to take is to follow the
Service Schedule to the letter.
Only use diesel for motor vehicles
(EN590 specification). Environmental protection has been
one of the guiding principles in the
production of the Ulysse. It is no ac-
cident that its pollution control equip-
ment is much more effective than that
required by current legislation.
Nonetheless, the environment can-
not get by without a concerted effort
from everyone.
By following a few simple rules the
motorist can avoid harming the envi-
ronment and often cut down fuel con-
sumption at the same time.
On this subject, a number of useful
tips have been given below to supple-
ment those marked by symbol
#, at
various points of the manual.
You are asked to read both the for-
mer and latter carefully.If you have trouble starting, do not
turn the ignition key for long periods.
Be especially careful to avoid bump
starting the vehicle by pushing, towing
or rolling downhill: these are all ma-
noeuvres that can damage the catalyt-
ic exhaust.
For emergency starts only use an
auxiliary battery.
If the engine begins to “lose its
smoothness” when travelling, contin-
ue your journey but reduce the de-
mands you are making on the engine
and have the vehicle checked at a Fi-
at Dealership.
When the instrument panel fuel re-
serve warning light comes on, fill up as
soon as possible. A fuel level that is
too low can cause an uneven supply of
fuel with the inevitable increase in ex-
haust temperature; this would seri-
ously damage the catalytic converter.

IN AN EMERGENCY
154
Do not carry out this
procedure if you lack ex-
perience; if it is not done
correctly it can cause very in-
tense electrical discharges. In ad-
dition, the fluid contained in the
battery is poisonous and corro-
sive. Avoid contact with skin and
eyes. You are also advised not to
put naked flames or lighted cig-
arettes near the battery and not
to cause sparks.
Remember that until
the engine has started the
brake booster and elec-
trical power steering systems will
not work and a greater effort will
therefore be required to press
the brake pedal or turn the steer-
ing wheel.IF A TYRE
IS PUNCTURED
Certain versions (where provided)
are fitted with wheel identification and
tyre inflation sensors; pressure loss is
signalled to the driver in the follow-
ing way:
pressure loss- the infotelematic
CONNECT system displays the relat-
ed message and a “gong” is emitted by
the system. Contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship;
punctured tyre- warning light
“STOP” comes on and the in-
fotelematic CONNECT system dis-
plays the related message together
with 3 consecutive “gong” sounds.
Change the wheel in the following
way.
The system can also display a dedi-
cated message in the event it should
not be able to detect the tyre pres-
sure. 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.
BUMP STARTING
Do not bump start by
pushing, towing or coast-
ing downhill. This way of
starting could cause a rush of fu-
el into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.