New member question about rpms

527 Views 24 Replies 6 Participants Last post by D3loreangirl, 12 h ago

D3loreangirl

Discussion Starter · 10 d ago

I just purchased a 2012 fiat 500 sport with a 5 speed manual transmission. I only have 13,000 miles on the car. It’s practically mint. I have a random rpm issue. I’ve read about different people with similar issues. Sometimes no matter if it’s in sport or normal my rpms don’t register over 2500 -2700 rpm even though the engine is clearly operating properly. I’ve turned the car off and restarted, and this sometimes fixes the issue. Today that didn’t resolve the issue. I revved up the engine with the clutch pressed down to see if the rpms went over the 2500-2700 mark. Well it did that for sure… only they stuck at like 5000 rpms at idle speed. When I was driving the rpms indicated I was full throttle even though the engine was not over probably 2000 rpms before shifting lol. Weird?!! My odometer flashes but the miles are adding up normally. I did a reboot but not for 15 minutes, and I didn’t press the brake pedal to drain the power completely. I’m going to do this tomorrow in the morning and see what happens. I was able to connect my phone to the Bluetooth system, so I figured the blu and me system is working fine. Any suggestions or links to read will be appreciated greatly!! Thank you cheers!

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J.B.

· #2 · 10 d ago

Try this to start with - disconnect the negative battery terminal, then turn the ignition key on and depress brake pedal (this is only to discharge whatever electricity left in the system), then reconnect the battery. See if it solves it. If now, report back.

Reactions: 1

D3loreangirl

Discussion Starter · #3 · 10 d ago

J.B. said:
Try this to start with - disconnect the negative battery terminal, then turn the ignition key on and depress brake pedal (this is only to discharge whatever electricity left in the system), then reconnect the battery. See if it solves it. If now, report back.

Thank you I will

D3loreangirl

Discussion Starter · #4 · 9 d ago

J.B. said:
Try this to start with - disconnect the negative battery terminal, then turn the ignition key on and depress brake pedal (this is only to discharge whatever electricity left in the system), then reconnect the battery. See if it solves it. If now, report back.

Hey and thank you for the help. I did go through the disconnect process and it solved the rpm issues. I’m still having the flashing odometer problem though. Not sure what will fix that.

J.B.

· #5 · 9 d ago

After you re-connected the battery, did you re-set the clock?

It's been a long time so I can't really remember all that well, but in the old threads, I think someone mentioned unsyncing the phone as a possible fix. Generally, what it is, is that there is a CANBUS communication issue, and if you take it to a dealer, they can hook up the computer to proxy align to fix the problem. One thing I'm afraid, if you take it to a dealer, most of them are so fucking incompetent that they'd tell you that there's a bigger problem and try to sell you a new cluster or something, which rarely was the case with this issue. You may want to look through the old thread on this, also on the blue forum, too.

Edit - one more thing, make sure that your car has all the software updates done.

Reactions: 1

D3loreangirl

Discussion Starter · #6 · 9 d ago

J.B. said:
After you re-connected the battery, did you re-set the clock?

It's been a long time so I can't really remember all that well, but in the old threads, I think someone mentioned unsyncing the phone as a possible fix. Generally, what it is, is that there is a CANBUS communication issue, and if you take it to a dealer, they can hook up the computer to proxy align to fix the problem. One thing I'm afraid, if you take it to a dealer, most of them are so fucking incompetent that they'd tell you that there's a bigger problem and try to sell you a new cluster or something, which rarely was the case with this issue. You may want to look through the old thread on this, also on the blue forum, too.

Edit - one more thing, make sure that your car has all the software updates done.

Hello
The clock was still set. I found this a bit odd. Seemed like the memory was still intact since the clock was still correct.

I could have missed a post but I didn’t see anything similar to my issue. Seemed the engines were damaged and that’s what stopped the rpms from going up in the other posts.

I can unsync the phone should be easy enough.

If the dealership can’t fix the issue is there a cable and program I can purchase? That way I can resolve this myself.

Where do I find the blue forum?

Last thing, how do I check for updates and then how would I update the vehicle software?

Thank you 😊

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J.B.

· #7 · 9 d ago

D3loreangirl said:
Hello
The clock was still set. I found this a bit odd. Seemed like the memory was still intact since the clock was still correct.

I could have missed a post but I didn’t see anything similar to my issue. Seemed the engines were damaged and that’s what stopped the rpms from going up in the other posts.

I can unsync the phone should be easy enough.

If the dealership can’t fix the issue is there a cable and program I can purchase? That way I can resolve this myself.

Where do I find the blue forum?

Last thing, how do I check for updates and then how would I update the vehicle software?

Thank you 😊

The clock should reset, so maybe you may want to disconnect the battery a bit longer?

Search "flashing odometer," there is a bunch of older threads on it. For the blue forum, google fiat 500 usa forum.

Yeah, you can buy the cable, search AlfaOBD.

Reactions: 1

D3loreangirl

Discussion Starter · #8 · 9 d ago

J.B. said:
The clock should reset, so maybe you may want to disconnect the battery a bit longer?

Search "flashing odometer," there is a bunch of older threads on it. For the blue forum, google fiat 500 usa forum.

Yeah, you can buy the cable, search AlfaOBD.

Thank you JB.
P.S. Is this a European forum?

J.B.

· #9 · 9 d ago

D3loreangirl said:
Thank you JB.
P.S. Is this a European forum?

No, this one is also North America focused.

D3loreangirl

Discussion Starter · #10 · 9 d ago

J.B. said:
No, this one is also North America focused.

I checked online and software is up to date but I’m still having the rpm issue after disconnecting the battery for an hour. The clock was flashing so I know I did it right. So strange. I’m so new at fiats that I’m totally clueless where to start now.

D3loreangirl

Discussion Starter · #11 · 9 d ago

I’m going to order the obdlink+ and hope that helps with stuff. Currently I have a daytime running light error. Rpm’s not registering properly, and blinking odometer. I have a 100 day warranty with a fat deductible but I’m still not wanting to visit the stealership.

Electric Tire Shredder

· #12 · 9 d ago

If you want to try the standard proxy alignment fix, you also need a Yellow Adapter.

Plus, your Android phone (required for AlfaOBD app) might work with a $50 cable & sub-$10 USB adapter, instead of the $150 unit.

Details in item 6 here:

www.fiat500owners.com

Post-Purchase Preparation. 5/24/23 Update: USB-to-phone...

If you purchase any 500e these 8 simple actions will help keep it running (in no particular order): 1: Check the VIN's recalls/"campaigns" fixed free at any FCA dealer, to reduce the chance of permanent drive battery damage. Click here or go to Mopar.com & note that "campaigns" like U69 to...

www.fiat500owners.com

www.fiat500owners.com

If you want to use Bluetooth, the $81 OBDLink LX is also listed as compatible*. For the AlfaOBD app, your phone still has to be an Android, but you can get a cheap one for about $35 on Amazon & just leave it charging in the car. No service needed, just download the app on WiFi & then connect to the car with the cable or Bluetooth.

*

www.fiat500owners.com

AVOID STALLING! (with ~$60 Full-Function OBD) 5/7/23 Update

UPDATED 5/7/23: There's an unavoidable glitch that makes the odometer flash & can make the % gauge jump around & leave you dead at the roadside. The fix needs $49 lifetime-membership AlfaOBD* (click here) for "Proxy Alignment" (pic below). That requires a $13 "Yellow Adapter" (click here), &...

www.fiat500owners.com

www.fiat500owners.com

J.B.

· #13 · 8 d ago

D3loreangirl said:
I’m going to order the obdlink+ and hope that helps with stuff. Currently I have a daytime running light error. Rpm’s not registering properly, and blinking odometer. I have a 100 day warranty with a fat deductible but I’m still not wanting to visit the stealership.

If it’s covered under some sort of warranty, you should use it, take it to the dealer. The symptom is clear enough that they at least can’t tell you that it’s normal.

Reactions: 1

Electric Tire Shredder

· #14 · 8 d ago

Ya, but...:

J.B. said:
if you take it to a dealer, most of them are so fucking incompetent that they'd tell you that there's a bigger problem...

& the "fat deductible" might be an issue. The last dealership proxy alignment charge I saw was more than the cost of the items needed to do it easily yourself.

If you do, then you have those items for future use: I don't know about the gas models, but the electric is prone to computer glitches that sometimes need OBD to fix.

Electric Tire Shredder

· #15 · 8 d ago (Edited)

DIY proxy alignment requires the following 5 items:

Android device, checked for OTG compatibility using the free "USB OTG Checker" app from Google Play Store
$49 AlfaOBD app, also from Google Play Store, Android/Windows only (free "demo" version won't do proxy align.)
$50 OBDLink.com SX USB cable*
$13 Yellow OBD Adapter. Click here & see post #2 for ordering instructions, since some plain extensions are yellow
$10 USB adapter to make the above cable fit your Android*

Plug the yellow adapter into the car, connect to the phone with the OBDLink cable, & then do this. Click to enlarge:

Shown with OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth, but LX Bluetooth & SX cable are also approved.

* If you don't have or get or borrow an OTG-compatible device, you can use Bluetooth with an $81 OBDLink LX instead of the USB cable & USB adapter. Price includes 10% off by signing up for the free obdlink.com newsletter

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D3loreangirl

Discussion Starter · #16 · 8 d ago

Yeah the deductible is $150 I think for approved repair facilities, but I wouldn’t dare take my car to one of those. Mainly NTB and Firestone shops. If Fiat has trouble with these cars I do t even want to think about what Firestone would do. The non approved repair facilities are $500 dollars for the deductible. I’d rather just fix it myself and have the tools for later to use.

Reactions: 1

Electric Tire Shredder

· #17 · 7 d ago

I keep forgetting the last couple points of the process, so I added them to the photo sequence so it won't matter if I forget again next time. New pic now in post #15 above, so it's all in one place here, & I also changed it at the post purchase prep link in post #12, in case anyone looks there.

smark

· #18 · 4 d ago

Going back to the Op’s original post. I’ve owned my 500 sport new since June 2011. Never heard the issue you describing. There really isn’t anything wrong with your car. What you mention is pretty normal. Turn on your AC, and you see a different RPM too.

Just drive you car, and enjoy it!

Reactions: 1

Electric Tire Shredder

· #19 · 4 d ago

In the Op's original post:

D3loreangirl said:
odometer flashes

That indicates proxy misalignment, so she has ordered the items required for proxy alignment, & they're due to arrive by tomorrow.

Marianne

· #20 · 4 d ago

D3loreangirl said:
I just purchased a 2012 fiat 500 sport with a 5 speed manual transmission. I only have 13,000 miles on the car. It’s practically mint. I have a random rpm issue. I’ve read about different people with similar issues. Sometimes no matter if it’s in sport or normal my rpms don’t register over 2500 -2700 rpm even though the engine is clearly operating properly. I’ve turned the car off and restarted, and this sometimes fixes the issue. Today that didn’t resolve the issue. I revved up the engine with the clutch pressed down to see if the rpms went over the 2500-2700 mark. Well it did that for sure… only they stuck at like 5000 rpms at idle speed. When I was driving the rpms indicated I was full throttle even though the engine was not over probably 2000 rpms before shifting lol. Weird?!! My odometer flashes but the miles are adding up normally. I did a reboot but not for 15 minutes, and I didn’t press the brake pedal to drain the power completely. I’m going to do this tomorrow in the morning and see what happens. I was able to connect my phone to the Bluetooth system, so I figured the blu and me system is working fine. Any suggestions or links to read will be appreciated greatly!! Thank you cheers!

I found a hack on this forum for the flashing odometer and it always works for me! It's intermittent... it won't flash for 6 months and the suddenly it might start flashing three times within the same week.

1. Insert the key and turn it to the ACC position but don't actually start the car.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers for a few seconds.
3. Turn the car off and remove the key.
Sounds bizarre, but when you start the engine, the odometer will have stopped flashing.

Reactions: 2

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