Operation - Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Owner's Manual

OPERATION (fig. 4)
Each time the ignition key is turned to
STOP position, the Alfa Romeo CODE sys-
tem deactivates the functions of the engine
electronic control unit.
Each time the engine is started, turning the
key to the MAR, position, the control unit
of the Alfa Romeo CODE system sends a
recognition code to the engine control unit
to deactivate the inhibition of the functions.
The recognition code, which is crypted and
variable between over 4 billion combina-
tions, is only sent if the system control unit
has recognised the code sent to it by the
key, which contains an electronic transmit-
ter, through an aerial in the ignition switch.
fig. 4
This condition is indicated by a brief flash
of the warning light (A) on the check pan-
el.
If the code has not been recognised cor-
rectly, the warning light (A) stays on to-
gether with the warning light (B).
In this case, you are recommended to re-
turn the key to the STOP position and then
back to MAR; if the inhibition persists, try
again possibly with the other key provided
with the car. If it is still impossible to start
the car carry out the emergency starting pro-
cedure described in section "In an emer-
gency" and turn to an Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Service.
IMPORTANT Every electronic key has
its own code, which must be memorised
by the system control unit. To memorise new
keys, up to a maximum of eight, apply sole-
ly to Alfa Romeo Authorized Services taking
with you all the keys in your possession, the
CODE card, a personal identity document
A0B0021m
and the car's possession documents.
The codes of the keys not
provided during the new
memorising procedure are
erased from the memory. This is to
ensure that any lost or stolen keys
can no longer be used to start the
car.
IMPORTANT The Alfa Romeo CODE
(¢) warning light comes on when travel-
ling with the ignition key on MAR:
1) If the warning lamp lights up while the
car is moving, it means that the system is
running a self-diagnosis (e.g. due to a volt-
age drop). The first time you stop you can
test the system as follows: switch the en-
gine off by turning the ignition key to
STOP; then turn the key back to MAR:
the warning lamp will light up and should
go out in the space of about one second. If
the warning lamp fails to go out, leave the
key at STOP for more than 30 seconds and
repeat the procedure described previously.
If the problem persists, contact your Alfa
Romeo Authorized Service.
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