[michaeld]

Sounds like another story of a dealer knowing next to nothing about car electrics. I'm sure a lot of people like you have paid for work that wasn't needed. And when they get stuck the most common thing they say is the ECU is fried.

I guess some of the problem could be resolved if ALfa documented the correct way to diagnose common faults.

During engine start, if the battery is weak or else if the earth strap is poor then the voltage can drop down very low and this leads to false ECU warnings.

But it is pathetic that they wanted to replace the ECU and as you said you would probably not have got your money back.