Technical Red Tab on Ignition

[Mohojo]

My vehicle has a red tab on the ignition. It's a battery isolator of some kind which gives an extra position for the key. How does it operate? Should I use it every time or is it just for longer periods of lay-up?

 

[Mohojo]

Anybody any experience of this?

 

[cris1117]

Parking lights.

 

[Mohojo]

No. It's summert to do with isolating the vehicle battery?

 

[Mohojo]

See pic:

 

[portland_bill]

Is this a van, or a caravan? If a caravan, possibly something about the second battery. If a caravan, should be a handbook for the caravan bits in addition to the normal vehicle one.

 

[Mohojo]

It's a motorhome. This device is factory fitted by Fiat?

 

[portland_bill]

It's a motorhome. This device is factory fitted by Fiat?

So it may be, but specific to the caravan probably. Press the red button and turn the key back that one step further. Then see what if anything has been disabled.

Does the radio still work?
Can you still put the parking lights on?
Has it disabled the fridge and caravan lighting?

Etc.

The label on the fascia suggests that it is explained in the handbook.

If you do not have a handbook, download one here: https://www.fiatforum.com/downloads.php?do=download&downloadid=491
See page 61 for the function of the red tab.

 

[Mohojo]

Thanks Bill
It doesn't say how it should be used........the guy at the Fiat dealers recons I should be using it all the time. I was under the impression that it should only be used for longer periods of lay-up?
It does turn everything off on the vehicle.

 

[HughJampton]

Given what needs to be reset after use, I would suggest it is designed for use in periods of extended storage (no use of vehicle for a matter of weeks) to avoid "parasitic" drain exhausting the vehicle battery. I certainly wouldn't use it on a day-to-day basis (except in the unlikely situation that the battery dies very quickly if you don't).

Some more here:

http://forums.motorhomefacts.com/149-fiat-ducato/124041-battery-disconnection-function.html

 

[Mohojo]

Ok thanks guys.
The smart ar$e at the garage was trying to say that was what was causimg my battery Problems and to forget my warranty!