Service light reset procedure
Q
The service reminder light is flashing on our 2010 Fiat 500 1.3 diesel, which we have owned for two years and currently has 93,000 miles. We had the car serviced at an independent garage a year ago, but they didn’t know how to stop it. It is now due for its next service.
The car has just had its MOT and the mechanic advised that the engine didn’t sound right, but he didn’t know why and advised us to take it to a Fiat garage or a diesel engine specialist. You can’t hear the noise inside the car, but it is obvious with the bonnet open – it is a constant tinny rattle that sounds like its originating from the upper part of the engine.
Are you aware of any common issues with a 500D at this age? I’ve noticed the car consumes a little bit of coolant, but the oil level is OK. The car failed its MOT, due to “an offside rear shock absorber with an excessively worn bush”. A new shock was fitted by the garage, but the car now ‘burps’ or sounds like a frog croaking while stationery – when entering or exiting, for example – although I cannot get it to do it by pushing downwards on the quarter panel. It sometimes lets off five burps within a few minutes. Should I worry about this? Steve Hammett
A
On the Fiat 500, the service light can only be reset using a diagnostic scanner. Most good independents should have this facility.
The noise you describe sounds as though it may be a timing chain rattle. It is quite common for the chain to have stretched sufficiently at around 80,000 miles to begin to rattle lightly.
The coolant loss could be from many points around the engine, but I would check the base of the water pump for any tell-tale signs of leaking coolant, as well as the base of the radiator. A wet patch may not be present, but a pink stain left by the antifreeze may be visible.
The noise from the shock absorber could be the result of the locating bolt being slightly loose, so I would tighten all the bolts. If the problem is not with a loose bolt you may have a faulty shock absorber. The noise may not be detrimental to the operation of the shock absorber, but it may indicate a problem that would shorten its life. For this reason, I would ask the garage to replace it under warranty.