2009 FIAT PANDA LPG Supplement Manual

9
FIAT PANDA LPG
SOLENOID VALVES
AND SAFETY DEVICES
The system has a solenoid valve located
on the pressure reduction unit and a so-
lenoid valve fitted inside the multiple valve
assembly on the tank.
The main function of these solenoid valves
is to interrupt/allow the flow of LPG to
the supply circuit.
The solenoid valves are open when:
– a request to run on LPG has been made;
– the optimum engine conditions are sat-
isfied (engine coolant temperature, mini-
mum revs level) for running on LPG;– there is enough LGP in the tank for op-
eration;
– the inertia switch has not been tripped.
The multivalve assembly fitted on the tank
includes:
– a valve that automatically stops the sup-
ply of LPG when the maximum permitted
filling level is reached (80% of the total
tank capacity);
– a flow limiter which, if a pipe is broken,
prevents the complete and sudden escape
of LPG;
– a one-way valve, located on the gas re-
turn pipe in the tank, which prevents LPG
reflux;
– a safety solenoid valve on the LPG sup-
ply, which either gives the go ahead or
prevents the escape of gas to the pressure
reduction unit; – a manual tap, upstream of the solenoid
valve, that separates the tank from the
LPG system to allow maintenance opera-
tions;
– a fuse pad which, in the event of
overheating (temperature above 120 °C),
totally eliminates the danger of excess
pressure making the LPG in the tank flow
out as quickly as possible in a controlled
manner;
– an analogue gauge showing the level of
LPG in the tank.
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10
FIAT PANDA LPG
REGULATION UNIT
The regulation unit fig. 4includes:
– cut out solenoid valve with gauze filter;
– pressure regulator.
The cut out solenoid valveopens or
closes together with the solenoid valve on
the tank. It closes each flow of LPG when
the engine is not running on gas.
It also acts as a safety device that prevents
the flow of LPG if the inertia switch is ac-
tivated.
fig. 4F0G0805m
The pressure regulatorallows the
change of the LPG from a liquid state to
a gaseous state via a dilation chamber and
maintains the pressure required for the
operation of the system at a preset value.
PIPING
The piping for the LPG in a liquid state
(from the filler to the tank and from the
tank to the pressure regulator) is made
from copper and coated in plastic.
The piping for the LPG in a gaseous state
(from the pressure regulator to the LPG
injectors) is made from rubber.
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11
FIAT PANDA LPG
PAPER FILTER
The filter fig. 5, located on the pressure
regulator outlet pipe, has the task of fil-
tering the LPG in a gaseous state during
the LPG injectors supply stage.
fig. 5F0Z0809m
LPG INJECTORS
There are four injectors fig. 6, specially
designed for LPG, mounted on the intake
manifold near the cylinder head, one for
each inlet duct; they are supplied with LPG
in a gaseous state at a constant pressure
and are controlled by a specific electron-
ic control unit.
A gas pressure and temperature sensor
mounted on the injectors sends an ap-
propriate electrical signal in order to de-
termine the LPG injection time.
fig. 6F0Z0806m
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12
FIAT PANDA 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 the injection of the LPG.
The control unit for the injectors has the
same strategy as the petrol control unit
(phased, sequential, multipoint).
LPG/PETROL SWITCH
The LPG/petrol switch fig. 7is located on
the protective fuse flap (left side of the
dashboard) and includes:
A. LPG/petrol operating mode request
button;
B. LPG gauge: 5 leds of which 4 green and
1 red to indicate the reserve. The red LED
only comes on when the last green LED
goes out.
The red LED indicates the reserve con-
dition;
ON. LPG operation mode indicator:
green LED on continuously, under the
buttonA;
OFF. petrol operation mode indicator:
yellow LED on continuously, under the
buttonA.
IMPORTANT When the ignition key is
turned to the MARposition the LEDs on
the ignition switch come on in accordance
with the following rule:
–with petrol operation mode se-
lected: yellow LED OFF activation;
–with LPG operation selected: all
LEDs on the switch are on continuously
and the green LED ONflashes.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 the switching takes place during accel-
eration or pick-up, there may be a brief
flat spot (fall in power).
fig. 7F0Z0807m
Do not switch between the
two operating modes whilst
starting the engine.
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13
FIAT PANDA LPG
Switch from petrol to LPG
With petrol fuel supply: press the button
A-fig. 7, the switch to LPG will take place
automatically at the first significant accel-
eration.
During switching:
– the LPG gauge Bcomes on;
– the yellow LED OFF goes out (petrol
operating mode);
– the green LED ON comes on switch-
ing from intermittent to on constantly
(LPG operating mode).
There are 5 LEDs B(1 red and 4 green)
on the left of the switch that display the
amount of LPG in the tank.
When the amount of LPG remaining goes
below about 1/5 of the capacity of the
tank, only the red (reserve) LED remains
on to signal the need for refuelling.
IMPORTANT In the case of starting at
outside temperatures of below -10 °C, the
switching times from petrol to LPG in-
crease to allow the pressure regulator to
become warm enough.IMPORTANT The buzzer warns the dri-
ver that the engine is running on petrol;
therefore he must refuel with LPG before
it runs out.
THE buzzer can be deactivated by press-
ing the switching button A.
Do not switch between the
two operating modes whilst
starting the engine. Switching from LPG to petrol
With LPG supply: press the buttonA-
fig. 7.
During switching:
– the LPG gauge Bgoes out;
– the yellow LED OFF comes on con-
stantly (petrol operating mode);
– the green LED ON goes out (LPG op-
erating mode).
LPG run out
If the LPG runs out, switching to petrol
takes place automatically with:
– the yellow LED OFF on constantly;
– the green LED ON flashing;
– an acoustic warning from the switch
buzzer (fast frequency).
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14
FIAT PANDA LPG
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
In the case of LPG operation as well, the
safety switch is triggered if the car is in-
volved in an impact immediately cutting off
the supply (safety solenoid valve closed)
and causing the engine to cut out.
For further information, see the “Fuel cut
off switch” paragraph in the “Knowing
your car” chapter in the Owner Hand-
book.
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 from petrol to LPG
automatically soon after.
There must therefore 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’s 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 turn off
the acoustic warning press button A:
the green LED ON will go out and the
yellow LED OFF will remain on con-
stantly. Go to a Fiat Dealer as soon as
possible to have the system checked.
System failure signalling
The car has a self-diagnosis system capa-
ble of signalling any malfunctions in the
LPG fuel system through the green LED
ON fig. 7flashing. In the case of faults that
could affect the correct operation of the
engine, the LPG control unit will auto-
matically switch from LPG operation to
running on petrol.
This condition will be shown by:
– the yellow LED OFF on constantly;
– the green LED ON flashing;
– an acoustic warning from the switch
buzzer (slow frequency).
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15
FIAT PANDA LPG
AT THE FILLING
STATION
LPG filler fitting
The gas filler is located next to the petrol
filler cap. It has a one-way valve, located
in the actual filler body.
To access the filler B-fig. 8, open the ac-
cess hatch Aand undo the cap C.
Observe the following precautions during
the refuelling operation:
– switch off the engine;
– apply the handbrake;
– turn the ignition key to the STOPpo-
sition;
– do not smoke;
– hand the special adaptor over to the
qualified LPG refuelling personnel.
IMPORTANT Before refuelling with LPG,
the qualified personnel should make sure
that the adaptor is correctly tightened on-
to the filler fitting.
IMPORTANT Depending on the country,
there are two types of adaptors for refu-
elling pumps. The adaptor that comes with
the car in a special case is specifically de-
signed for the country in which the car is
sold. If you are in a different country, find
out what type of adaptor is used there.
WHEELS
Wheel repair
The car does not have a spare wheel but
comes with a quick tyre repair kit known
as Fix&Go.
The kit is located on the left side of the
luggage compartment and is fastened by
Velcro.
For use, see the instructions in the main
Owner Handbook associated with this
supplement.
The tool box fig. 9is located under the
driver’s seat and fastened by Velcro.
FUSE REPLACEMENT
The LPG system components are protec-
ted by specific fuses. Contact a Fiat Dea-
lership if a fuse needs replacing.
For all other fuses, consult the Owner
Handbook that this supplement comes
with.
fig. 8F0Z0808m
fig. 9F0Z0607m
IMPORTANT Only use LPG for mo-
tor vehicles.
IMPORTANT Look after the LPG
adaptor carefully so that it does not
get damaged.
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16
FIAT PANDA LPG
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN
Additional operations to the Servicing Plan in the Owner Handbook.
Thousands of kilometres
Visual check on conditions: LPG piping and connectors and
LPG tank fastening
Replacement of filter inside the pressure regulator
Paper filter replacement (LPG in gaseous state)
Check operation and parameters of fuel supply system
using self-diagnostic socket
Check mechanical tappet clearance and restore if necessary20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
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