Alfa Romeo Forum banner

Just got it....odometer is flashing....HELP!

9K views 26 replies 15 participants last post by  AK 147 GTA 
#1 ·
Hello there!

Just got my (used) Alfa 147. I love it, but:

The odometer is constantly flashing....it was flashing all the way from the dealership to my house. I read in this forum about it and so far I tried:
1. Switched on and off
2. Waited more than 3 secs and then started ignition.
3. Turned off radio and ASR, and as above

Nothing....still flashing.....it does not flash when I open the door and get in, but the minute I turn the key, it goes off and then flashes.

I have checked the manual, but i could not find anything....what I do get during the check, is that i do not have enough petrol (WARNING RANGE LIMITED). Would this be a reason for the odometer to flash?

I will do the obvious, and put in petrol, but right now I am thinking if I should take it back to the dealer I got it from (general used cars dealer)

PLease help, this is my first Alfa, and also my very first moments with her.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
I filled petrol, and guess what!!!

The fuel cap was already unlocked and, yes, I failed to lock it (read the manual, tried numerous times, but nothing......)

A bit frustrated now........odometer still flashing and with it, the headlamp position display flashes together when I turn the lights on.

Some help?....please??....!!!
 
#3 ·
Hmm, i cant help much, but i would say: try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes, then re-connect and see if that helps. I know its not a good thing to be already diving into the engine bay soon as you got your new car. But the dealers might take ages ages over it when it could be a simple thing like that.

Well done on the choice of car. Hope it goes well for you. I bought a 147 1.6 6months ago and im loving it!

What part of London are you based? Im in the Ealing area.
 
#9 ·
The odometer starts flashing when the checks at start up can't be completed for some reason. Usually the next time the engine is restarted, all checks can be done and the flashing stops. When the odometer doesn't want to stop blinking, you need to go to the alfa dealership / specialist and let them locate and fix the problem. Since you bought it from a used car dealer, you let them fix it. You just picked up a car with some (minor) issues. Let this not be your problem and let the seller fix it.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Hello everyone and thank you for you help!

Yes, I finally managed to sort the fuel cap out...i must have spent about an hour at home trying.....just hope I "remember" it next time I put petrol!

About the flashing odometer, it is constantly flashing nomatter what I do, and I did contact the dealer and I will take it there tomorrow (general used cars dealer - not ALFA)
Does this "electronic alignment" can be done only by specialists? Cos my dealer mentioned something about having a computer but was surprised about the fact that the odometer was flashing.

2 more things I discovered while driving...the car tends to pull to the left when I let go of the steering wheel (I think I even saw the steering wheel moving slightly to the left), and the second is that when I brake, I can feel a vibration at the steering wheel.

I still LOVE her though, and I plan to take good care of her. And I also greatly appreciate this supportive forum: Its good to know that there are people out there willing to help and share experiences. Hopefully, I will reach the point when I can offer some answers instead of only asking questions! Just bear with me!
 
#11 ·
...and guess what alfa1999! I live in osterley and occasionally ealing as well (at my girlfriend).....I even saw a red 147 yesterday at ealing...could it be you? Will post pics of mine shortly...

Can you (or anyone else) recommend any good specialists around these parts?
 
#12 ·
solpap said:
Hello everyone and thank you for you help!

Yes, I finally managed to sort the fuel cap out...i must have spent about an hour at home trying.....just hope I "remember" it next time I put petrol!

About the flashing odometer, it is constantly flashing nomatter what I do, and I did contact the dealer and I will take it there tomorrow.
Does this "electronic alignment" can be done only by specialists? Cos my dealer mentioned something about having a computer but was surprised about the fact that the odometer was flashing.

2 more things I discovered while driving...the car tends to pull to the left when I let go of the steering wheel (I think I even saw the steering wheel moving slightly to the left), and the second is that when I brake, I can feel a vibration at the steering wheel.

I still LOVE her though, and I plan to take good care of her. And I also greatly appreciate this supportive forum: Its good to know that there are people out there willing to help and share experiences. Hopefully, I will reach the point when I can offer some answers instead of only asking questions! Just bear with me!
The vibration under braking is probably a warped disc(s). You can tell if its front or rear by using the handbrake. If it is a rear disc you will feel slight pulsing through the h/brake lever.The dealer should rectify that under warranty.

The pulling to the left is probably an alignment issue, though I would also check the tyres as they may have been incorrectly rotated.
 
#13 ·
Flashing odometer = low battery voltage. Recharge your battery.

My odometer did this few times in winter after a cold start (15-20 degrees below zero). After a short drive when the alternator recharged the battery a bit I turned the engine off and back on and blinking went away. It doesnt stop with engine running. If your odometer blinks constantly your battery might be very old, or your alternator cant charge the battery enough.
 
#14 ·
solpap said:
...and guess what alfa1999! I live in osterley and occasionally ealing as well (at my girlfriend).....I even saw a red 147 yesterday at ealing...could it be you? Will post pics of mine shortly...

Can you (or anyone else) recommend any good specialists around these parts?
Hey Solpap,
Naw that wasnt me unfortunatly! I have a fire black 5 door, I use the A4 every weekday morning from Hanwell to Chiswick roundabout though, so you never know, might cross paths! ..i do also shop/drive around Ealing Broadway often.

I have only had my 147 6 months now and i havent had to take it to a garage yet, but Autodelta are only in North Acton, there is also an alfa specialist in South Acton close to Acton town station on Bollo Lane, they seemed good, from the 5mins i spoke to them on the phone. But didnt experience their services.

..Oh yeah but i did get my Cam belt changed last week by Jamie at alfaworksop but thats 65 miles away, they have very good services and excellent prices.
 
#15 ·
The odometer will also flash if the previous owner added or removed any "nodes" ie. certain items that connect to the body computer.

For example, I have just added the CN+ to my car, and now my mileage is also flashing, so I just have to get the CN+ synchronized with the body computer at a dealer.

The same thing happened when I added a new instrument cluster, and when I added CN+, to my old Stilo.
 
#16 ·
Hello again!

Just got back from the dealer I bought my baby from:
According to him, the odometer is flashing because a sensor needs replacing - he hooked the computer in.

Not sure what sensor, but said his mechanic ordered it and the will call me to go and replace it. Lets see what happens.....

Will update if this works, and will get the details of the sensor, so that we can add this to the "possible reasons" list.

Take care, and thank you!
 
#17 ·
You've also got Alfaman at Rayners Lane near Harrow. Not a million miles away.
 
#19 ·
solpap said:
Hello again!

Just got back from the dealer I bought my baby from:
According to him, the odometer is flashing because a sensor needs replacing - he hooked the computer in.

Not sure what sensor, but said his mechanic ordered it and the will call me to go and replace it. Lets see what happens.....

Will update if this works, and will get the details of the sensor, so that we can add this to the "possible reasons" list.

Take care, and thank you!
Which sensor was replaced then?:)
 
#20 ·
Hi people

I have the same problem with a flashing odometer on my 2003 147 GTA!!

Recently had a broken cam belt and the original battery died when the car was being repaired. Put in a new battery, fired it up and the odometer was flashing. Hooked a computer up to the ECU which showed a recorded cam sensor failure (from when the belt snapped), reset everything and it is still flashing.

Does anyone have a solution to this problem?

Cheers
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top