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147 Body Computer Failure

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body computer
11K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Yorkshirekeith 
#1 ·
Morning All

I posted last week about a problem I had been having with my indicators. The only logical explanation I can find is that it is likely to be the body computer. I spoke to Alfa who wanted £400 for a new unit (without fitting and coding). However, I've found a breakers who have one for £100.

My question is... can this be used and just recoded to my car or does it need reconditioning and programming before hand. If so, where do I need to send it?

I'm almost ready for scrapping my 147 cos I've had enough of it now!! Help please!

Thanks
 
#2 ·
I have just done this to my wifes 147.

Fitting is easy - you can swap the bad unit for a good one in under 45 mins - it lives under the steering column behind the fuse box. Nice clean job with hardly any tools required - such a change!

One from a scrap yard will be of no use at all - each one is bespoke to the car and is made to suit in Italy. If you fit one from another car, all your electrics will work 100% and the engine will turn over on the key, but it will not start. I bought one from a scrappy to test my 147 for wiring faults as the old body computer burnt out in spectacular fashion. As the scrappy one powered up and didn't burn out after 30 mins of use (car wouldn't start though) I was confident enough to fit my genuine replacement unit. It has now done many 100s of miles with no faults.

Any new one will have to be ordered and manufactured against your cars details and won't need any further coding at all once it gets in the country, but your dealer will try and convince you blind that it will!!! Ignore them.

However, if you have swapped any of the cars other electric components in the past for those from another car (for instance the window switches) then your brand new body computer may realise this, then you may have to get it coded at the dealer (called a proxy alignment - use "search").

Good luck!
 
#3 ·
Just thought I would update on the situation.

After several weeks of trying to sort this out (without having to spend hundreds on a new body computer) I spoke to Neil at Alfa Spares in Lancashire. The guy is a legend!!!!!

Although it seemed a simple suggestion of taking the body computer out and sticking it on a radiator to dry out, I gave it a try before spending £££'s a new one. Amazingly enough, it worked!

Very happy now!!! No mega bill of £300-500 for a replacement. I have now spent £0!!!!

Cheers all!
 
#4 ·
A little more insight into this.

You can replace the body computer with success (yes I have done this) but the following rules apply:

* You must get the body computer, engine ecu and key internals from an almost identical model (year, model, engine etc)
* You replace the engine ecu and body computer with the new ones.
* You fit the new key internals into your old key (i.e use your old key with new inners - transponder and remote locking circuit)

I did this when the immo failed on a 147. All cost £100 from a breakers and took no more than a few minutes to do.
 
#5 ·
Hi Super Dragpack

Thanks for that info... I'd been looking to hear something like that for a while before the fault fixed itself. I knew there had to be a way around being robbed by Alfa for a new body computer.

Luckily, I don't need to replace anything this time... but I will know for future.

Cheers

Chris
 
#6 ·
Hi.

I'm looking into the body computer as a possible cause for my (sometimes) malfunctioning indicators and hazards when it is cold / damp. Does anyone know if on a facelifted 156 the body computer is in the same place as the 147? I've got the fusebox cover (with a screw / bolt in it)to the right of the steering column. After removing this do you need to slide the fusebox out at all, or drop it down? Or can you leave as it is and get behind it to the body computer?

And does the body computer slide out, or is it attached by screws? Presumably there is a connection or something as well.

Also interesting why they need drying out...condensation?

Thanks,
 
#10 ·
I have an Alfa GT 1.9 2008 Blackline. I think my body computer is at fault. Is there any way to confirm if it is by using Fiat/Alfa Examiner at a main dealer or with the AlfaOBD app? I had it checked by an auto electrician with his computer but as he said his may only know 90% and the fault could be with the 10% that his computer won't pickup and which the Alfa one may.
 
#11 ·
the simple way, if you have any spare funds is to buy a set on ebay as mentioned above and install it, -it is a very simple job- if the fault remains the same it probably isn't the BCM if it's cured it is ( at least partly- see below ). If it isn't, put the set back on ebay they are always in demand.
However can I say that the computer electrics get a very raw deal on this forum. The actual processor units very rarely fail and when they do can occasionally still be rescued by an afternoon in the airing cupboard as mentioned above. Most faults are ( initally at least ) caused by the connections between the various components being interrupted or shorted by bad connections or broken wires or water where it shouldn't be or an ailing battery and if you haven't routed these out, your first failure can easily be followed by another due to the same underlying problem.
 
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