Before we show you all the different Fiat 500 Dashboard Warning Lights, we highly recommend you get a cheap OBD2 Scanner for your car. This scanner can be used as many times as you want to scan your car’s faults and the dealer would charge you £85 per scan! Click here to views the BEST OBD2 Scanners available to buy.

The OBD2 scanner will tell you what the fault is with your car and let you clear/delete the fault codes. 90% of the time in our workshops we usually clear the codes, and it never comes back! The illuminates’ symbols below might have just been caused by going over a speed bump and moving a sensor or wire. If it doesn’t clear at least you know the exact fault and saved yourself the £85 diagnostic fee plus you got a small scan tool that you can use on any car!

All the dashboard warning light symbols for the Fiat 500 are included in this in-depth article. The symbols have precise meanings, with explanations of what they mean and what you can do to fix them. When the dashboard warning lights on a Fiat 500 come on simultaneously with a message specific to that symbol and/or sound, it means something is wrong. A variety of failure icons on your Fiat 500 dash may be seen. The following list details the many types of failures you might encounter

Fiat 500 Low battery charge dashboard warning light

BATTERY ELECTRICAL CHARGE IS LOW

When the ignition is first switched on to IGNITION ON, the battery light will come on. The light should go out quickly in most situations. If the light remains lit or turns on while driving, the battery charge is failing and may indicate a faulty battery or alternator. Starting difficulties are likely to arise.

How to fix the Low battery charge on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue.

2.      Start the car and check the charging voltage which should be between 14-15 volt, any lower or higher it’s the alternator that is not charging your car properly.

3.      Turn the car off and check the battery voltage, it’s lower than 12.5 volts then I would say the battery is faulty.

4.      If all the above is ok, then check the battery terminals are tight and properly connected.

5.      Also check the wires going to the alternator are not broken.

Fiat 500 Low engine oil pressure dashboard warning light

LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE

When the ignition is switched on, the light should come on and stay lit for a few seconds. Once the engine has started, however, the light will go out. If the indication remains constant with an associated message, oil pressure is low you have a problem.

How to fix the Low engine oil pressure on Fiat 500.

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Check the oil level first and clear the code with your OBD2 Scanner

3.      Replace the oil pressure switch

Fiat 500 Low brake fluid / Parking brake dashboard warning light

Low brake fluid / Parking brake

LOW BRAKE FLUID / PARKING BRAKE

The “BRAKE” dashboard symbol may be used on various models of the Fiat 500. When brake fluid is low, it will illuminate while driving.

How to fix the Low brake fluid on Fiat 500

1.      Simply top up the brake fluid in your car. It’s under the bonnet and should say on a yellow cap Brake fluid. The fluid you need is called DOT 4 brake fluid.

Fiat 500 EBD Failure dashboard warning light

EBD Failure

Fiat 500 ESC dashboard warning light

ESC Warning

Fiat 500 ABS dashboard warning light

ABS Failure

Fiat 500 EBD / ABS / ESC dashboard warning light

When you see the red exclamation Ignition on an illuminate simultaneously with your ABS and ESC codes, this means there’s a possible EBD failure. Your rear wheels may suddenly lock up while braking or if driven fast will cause swerving.

How to fix the ABS Failure on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      The scanner will show the fault, the most common cause is a wheel speed sensor.

3.      Check which sensor it is for example it will say Front Left or Rear Right and get it replaced.

Fiat 500 engine overheating dashboard warning light

Engine Overheating

ENGINE OVERHEATING WARNING LIGHT

The dashboard symbol will illuminate either red or green depending on your fiat 500 model and go out when you turn the ignition to IGNITION ON. If it lights up while driving- which means that there’s too much heat coming from inside of engine bay – don’t continue taking risks with this type of situation because continued driving can cause seized engine!

How to fix the Engine Overheating Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Common issues are low coolant levels. Make sure it is topped up all the way. WARNING!!!! Always make sure the car engine is COLD before you open the coolant cap or it will burn you, I have made this mistake myself before.

3.      The thermostat is not opening letting the hot coolant flow into the radiator to cool down. When the car is nice and warm check the pipes after the thermostat they should be warm to indicate it has opened and let the coolant flow, if they are cold replace the thermostat.

4.      Worst case it could be the head gasket failed

Fiat 500 automatic transmission fault dashboard warning light

Transmission Fault

TRANSMISSION FAULT WARNING LIGHT

The automatic transmission will illuminate this symbol if there is a fault. If the light remains on, you have a fault.

How to fix transmission fault Fiat 500

1.       Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Check the gearbox oil level it may below.

Fiat 500 power steering fault dashboard warning light

Power Steering Fault

Fiat 500 Power steering Fault dashboard warning light

The ‘DualDrive’ power steering system is designed to aid you when you need it, but sometimes these systems fail. If your warning light comes on and stays lit up without any sign of improvement or worse yet-increased difficulty turning the wheel then this indicates a fault with the power steering system.

How to fix the Power steering Fault on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Check Relays and Fuses related to power steering they may be blown.

Fiat 500 airbag fault dashboard warning light

Airbag Fault

Fiat 500 passenger airbag fault dashboard warning light

Passenger Airbag

AIRBAG FAULT WARNING LIGHT

When the red driver airbag or amber passenger airbag symbols begin to flash, it’s time for you to know what they mean. If they go out soon after your vehicle has been started that’s ok the system is working fine, but if both light up while driving then there could be a problem with one or more safety devices that need attention right away.

How to fix the Airbag Fault on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code, you need to check whether the scanner has the SRS function some don’t.

2.      The scanner should tell you which airbag is faulty.

3.      First switch the car off and disconnect the battery, make sure you are well-grounded! Use a ground strap on your wrist otherwise, you don’t want the airbag to blow in your face.

4.      Check the wiring disconnect and clean then reconnect and clear the code on your OBD2 scanner. This may fix your issue, if not then replace the airbag.

Fiat 500 EOBD injection system failure dashboard light

Injection Failure

EOBD INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING LIGHT

When the symbol comes on with your car’s ignition turned to IGNITION ON and goes out shortly after that means there is no fault, if it doesn’t go out that means there’s a fault in one of two areas. If it stays lit or turns back on while driving, then this could cause excessive emissions from the exhaust pipes as well as performance issues such as poor driveability which would lead to high fuel consumption rates because you’re using more fuel than usual.

How to fix the Injection system Fault on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      It may show faults with your injectors or lambda sensors.

3.      Remove, clean, and refit. Clear codes using the scan tool.

Fiat 500 low fuel dashboard light

Low Fuel

Fiat 500 fault dashboard light

Fault Warning

The low fuel light will illuminate as usual when around 6 to 8 liters of the vehicle’s tank are left. The estimated range is 50 km, but it may flash or be accompanied by a flashing fault message (depending on models) that indicates a system malfunction has occurred; this could lead you to run out of fuel soon!

Fiat 500 Glow Plug Heating warning light

The glow plug heating system for diesel versions of the Fiat 500 will illuminate on your dashboard when you turn it to MAR and go out after that, at which point the vehicle can be started. The duration of light illumination varies depending upon external temperatures; if a preheating failure occurs this indicator lights up as well with different messages displayed by model numbers too.

How to fix the Glow Plug Heating Fault on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Check the glow plug heater relay which could be faulty.

3.      Check the wiring going to the glow plug and voltage

4.      If all above is ok, then change the glow plugs. I usually recommend changing them all as a set.

5.      Little tip, use a good amount of WD-40 on the glow plugs before you try and open them if they snap it’s a big hassle to try and get them out.

Fiat 500 DPF dashboard warning light

DPF

DPF DASHBOARD LIGHT

The DPF light indicates that the particulate filter needs cleaning. The process usually happens by itself called DPF regeneration. To activate this Fiat 500 DPF regen you should drive your car in 3^rd gear with RPM over 3000 for at least 20 minutes or more. This will get the DPF nice and hot and burn the blockage out.

How to fix a blocked DPF on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Check the OBD2 live data and look for the soot amount in the DPF. This should be lower than 10%.

3.      Try deleting the code on the OBD2 scanner.

4.      You can use a DPF cleaner that goes in the fuel tank.

5.      Remove the lambda sensor before the DPF unit and spray DPF cleaners in there, this could break down the soot.

6.      Check your OBD2 Scanner and go to Fiat 500 special functions or look for DPF regen or Forced DPF regen. This will force the car to do a regen.

7.      If all the above fails then replace the DPF.

Fiat 500 ESC failure dashboard light

ESC Failure

The Esc light should come on with the ignition turned to “Mar” and go out shortly when you start up your car. If it doesn’t, there may be an issue with either electronics or wiring in your vehicle’s system for controlling stability. The symbol can sometimes flash during driving too which just means it is doing its job properly and the ESC is kicking in as it should be.

How to fix the ESC failure on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Fix or replace the sensor or issue that the OBD2 scanner has indicated.

Fiat 500 code system failure dashboard light

Code System

CODE SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING LIGHT

The Fiat code system is an anti-theft device that can be used to stop your car from being driven away. The key will communicate with the engine control unit, and if there’s a fault or incorrect input then this message should appear on the dashboard.

How to fix the code system failure on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Try using another set of keys, if this works then the original key has lost its code.

Fiat 500 city brake system failure dashboard light

City Brake

CITY BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROL FAILURE WARNING LIGHT

The City Brake Control System and Collision Mitigation system light up when you activate the auto brakes in your car. This is done to avoid any potential collisions, so it’s best not to forget about this feature!

Fiat 500 city dashboard warning light

CITY

CITY POWER STEERING DASH LIGHT

The CITY symbol shines bright on your display when you activate the electric power steering.

Fiat 500 tire pressure warning light

Tyre Pressure Warning

TYRE PRESSURE LOW WARNING LIGHT

The Fiat 500 is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that will alert drivers when their tires become too low. A yellow warning light on the dashboard alerts you to this problem and requires immediate attention,

How to fix TPMS on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Replace the faulty tyre pressure monitoring sensor.

Fiat 500 STOP warning light

STOP Light

The Stop Signals Light up when there is a problem with one or more stop light bulbs also known as brake lights.

How to fix the STOP light on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Usually, it’s one of the brake lights that need replacing.

3.      It also could be related to blown fuses, broken wiring connections

Fiat 500 Engine Stop / Start Activated

Stop / Start Activated

Fiat 500 Engine Stop / Start Deactivated

Stop / Start Deactivated

FIAT 500 ENGINE STOP / START

The Fiat 500 has the innovative technology to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. This includes Stop/Start, which can be deactivated due to the following circumstances: Engine is still cold; battery charge low, or AC turned ON when stopped in traffic for an extended period.

Fiat 500 Electric Throttle Control Dashboard Warning Lights

Electric Throttle Control

FIAT 500 ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL

The lightning bolt symbol is an electronic throttle control warning light (ETC). It may illuminate in red and either stay on or flash depending upon the fault, but when safe to do so stop your vehicle immediately. If this indicator lights up again after you restart the car, then it may go into “limp mode” and restrict your speed so you don’t cause damage to the car.

How to fix the Electric Throttle Control on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Clean the ETC.

3.      Check the wiring plug going to the ETC.

Fiat 500 Transmission Fault Dashboard Warning Lights

Transmission Fault

FIAT 500 TRANSMISSION FAULT

The ‘cog’ containing an exclamation mark is a fault detected with an automatic transmission/gearbox. If you notice lights on your dashboard and a buzzer sounding, stop the car safely so that it doesn’t cause any further damage before switching off the engine completely.

How to fix the Transmission Fault on Fiat 500

1.      Plug in your OBD2 Scanner to see what is causing the issue and what code.

2.      Check and top up the transmission fluid.

Fiat 500 seat belt unfastened dashboard warning light

Seat Belt Unfastened

Fiat 500 door open dashboard warning light

Door Open

Fiat 500 left indicator dashboard light

Left Indicator

Fiat 500 right indicator dashboard light

Right Indicator

Fiat 500 heated rear window dashboard light

Heated Rear Window

Fiat 500 heated windscreen dashboard light

Heated Windscreen

Fiat 500 main beam dashboard light

Main Beam Lights

Fiat 500 sidelights dashboard light

Side Lights

Fiat 500 speed limiter dashboard light

Speed Limiter

Fiat 500 cruise control dashboard light

Cruise Control