Engine & fuel system
9 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Idle speed surges
Throttle valve not closing correctly due to build up of deposits in throttle body. Fix: clean and lubricate.
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Clean & lubricate
Symptoms
Engine jerking. Poor throttle response.
Repair steps
- Remove throttle body intake pipe.
- Clean deposits from inner wall.
- Actuate throttle valve manually 3 to 5 times.
- Inspect throttle body for any remaining contamination.
- If necessary clean again.
- Fit throttle body intake pipe.
- Check idle speed.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Poor driveability from cold
Symptoms
Poor driveability during warm up. Poor idling.
Cause
Engine control module (ECM) software fault.
Repair
- Use diagnostic equipment to re-program ECM with upgraded software.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Water ingress into front footwells
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
Symptoms
No obvious sign of coolant leakage.
Cause
AC evaporator drain tube blocked by bulkhead sound proofing.
Repair
- Cut hole in bulkhead sound proofing to provide outlet for AC evaporator drain tube.
- Ensure AC evaporator drain tube not damaged.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.
Engine misfire
Water/oil ingress into spark plug orifice. Fix: clean and lubricate.
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Clean & lubricate
Symptoms
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Poor cold starting. Poor engine running.
Repair steps
- Clean ignition coil and spark plug orifice.
- Check spark plugs for insulator damage or arcing.
- Check cylinder head cover for leaks.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.
Engine overheating
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Adjust & tighten
Symptoms
Coolant leak from cylinder head gasket.
Cause
Cylinder head bolts too long.
Cylinder head gasket not sealing when specified torque reached.
Repair steps
- Ensure engine is cold.
- Remove oil in cylinder head.
- Remove and replace cylinder head bolts one at a time in order shown.
- Tighten new bolts to 40 Nm + 90 ° + 90 ° + 90 °.
Parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt | 60677958 | 10 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.
Failure to start
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
Symptoms
Failure to start when engine is hot. Trouble code stored in engine control module (ECM) fault memory.
Cause
Faulty crankshaft position (CKP) sensor.
Repair
- Replace crankshaft position (CKP) sensor.
- Access engine control module (ECM) fault memory and erase trouble codes.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 15.
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated
Symptoms
Trouble code stored: P1604.
Cause
Engine control module (ECM) software fault.
Repair
- Re-program ECM with modified software.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 16.
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated
Symptoms
Trouble codes stored: P0325, P1325.
Cause
Knock sensor (KS) fault.
Repair
- Check wiring connector and resistance of KS. Replace parts as necessary.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 19.
Rattling noise from top of engine for several seconds when starting after the vehicle has stood for long periods
Overview
- Affects
- All models with 1.6/1.8/2.0 petrol engines.
- Remedy
- Fit modified part
- Parts
- 4 parts
Repair
- Engine No. →3575550. Remove cylinder head. Fit non-return valve to oil gallery of camshaft position (CMP) actuator. Refit cylinder head. Fit modified camshaft position (CMP) actuator. Fit new cylinder head cover gasket.
- Engine No. 3575550→. Fit modified camshaft position (CMP) actuator. Fit new cylinder head cover gasket.
Parts4 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Camshaft position (CMP) actuator | 71738360 | 1 |
| Non-return valve | 60677899 | 1 |
| Cylinder head cover gasket (JTS) | 60669492 | 1 |
| Cylinder head cover gasket (Twin spark) | 60655592 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 21.
Brakes
3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Front brakes vibrating when brakes applied at medium to high speed
Cause
Front brake disc distortion.
Repair
- Replace front brake pads and brake discs.
Parts4 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Ventilated disc | 60658565 | 2 |
| Solid disc | 60658567 | 2 |
| Brake pads - ventilated disc | 9948334 | 1 |
| Brake pads - solid disc | 9948335 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Squeal from rear brakes
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Clean & lubricate
Cause
Pads seize in brake caliper carrier due to corrosion and dirt ingress.
Repair
- Remove and clean rear brake pads.
- Clean brake caliper carrier and lubricate.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.
Squeaking noise from rear brakes
Cause
Handbrake cable sticking due to internal damage/corrosion.
Repair
- Replace both handbrake cables.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.
Suspension & drivetrain
3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Knocking noise from front suspension over uneven surfaces
Cause
Excessive play between front inner anti-roll bar bushes and bush clamps.
Repair
- Fit modified front anti-roll bar.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 17.
Knocking/squeaking noise from rear suspension over uneven surfaces
Rear suspension lower arm bushes worn. Fix: fit a new part.
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Fit new part
Repair steps
- Mark position of rear suspension lower arm inner bolt.
- Fit new rear suspension lower arms.
- Realign marks and check rear wheel alignment.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 18.
Knocking/squeaking noise from rear suspension over uneven surfaces
Cause
Rear trailing arm hub assembly bushes.
Repair
- Replace both rear trailing arm hub assembly bushes.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 20.
Steering
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Buzzing noise from power steering high-pressure pipe
Overview
- Affects
- All models →1999.
- Parts
- 2 parts
Cause
Faulty retaining bolt/valve on power steering.
Repair
- Replace retaining bolt/valve with modified version.
- Bleed power steering system.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Retaining bolt/valve | 60807575 | 1 |
| Seal | 10282460 | 2 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Clutch & gearbox
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Occasional loss of drive
Symptoms
Trouble code stored in transmission control module (TCM) fault memory: P1769.
Cause
ASM transmission shift actuator accumulator faulty.
Repair
- Replace ASM transmission shift actuator accumulator.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 22.
Air conditioning & heating
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Outlet air distribution/temperature does not correspond to setting
Cause
Ignition switched ON immediately after reconnection of battery.
AC/heater air mix flap motor and AC/heater air direction motor position cycle interrupted.
Repair
- Disconnect battery, reconnect and wait at least 2 minutes before switching ignition ON.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Engine coolant blower motor only works on second blower speed
Overview
- Affects
- All models, 1997-02.
- Remedy
- Clean & lubricate
Symptoms
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated.
Cause
Failure of engine coolant blower motor resistor.
Repair
- Check and clean engine coolant blower motor resistor multi-plug terminals.
- Replace engine coolant blower motor resistor.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.
Body & trim
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Bonnet not opening or closing correctly
Cause
Bonnet catch seized.
Repair
- Clean and lubricate bonnet catch.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Noise sounds as though it is coming from behind instrument cluster/fascia, but can be difficult to pin-point
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
Cause
Sound proofing touching fascia support panel.
Repair
- Remove fascia or windscreen.
- Cut sound proofing away to avoid contact with fascia support brackets.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.
Wipers & visibility
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Noise from lower windscreen area
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Clean & lubricate
Cause
Dry contact surfaces on front suspension upper arm bushes.
Front suspension upper arm bushes worn.
Repair
- Check front suspension upper arm bushes for excessive play.
- Replace or lubricate front suspension upper arm bushes as necessary.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Glossary
Technical terms used in this guide.
- MIL
- Malfunction indicator lamp — the engine warning light on the dashboard
- ECM
- Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
- Nm
- Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
- Trouble Codes
- Standardised fault codes stored by the engine control module, read with a diagnostic tool
- AC
- Air conditioning — the system that cools the cabin
- ATC
- Automatic temperature control — climate control that holds the temperature you set
- CKP
- Crankshaft position sensor — tells the engine control module where the crankshaft is in its rotation
- CMP
- Camshaft position — a sensor that tells the engine control module where the camshaft is
- ECT
- Engine coolant temperature — the sensor that tells the engine control module how hot the engine is
- KS
- Knock sensor — listens for engine knock so the engine control module can retard the timing
- TCM
- Transmission control module — the electronic unit that manages the gearbox
- AC/Heater
- The heating and air-conditioning system
- Actuator
- A motor or solenoid that moves a mechanical part on command
- Anti-Roll Bar
- A bar that links the left and right suspension to cut body roll in corners
- Caliper
- The part that squeezes the brake pads onto the disc
- Control Module
- A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
- Crankshaft Position
- Where the crankshaft is in its rotation — used for ignition and injection timing
- Engine Coolant Temperature
- How hot the engine is, read by a sensor the engine control module uses for fuelling and cooling fans
- Fascia
- The dashboard and the surrounding interior panel
- Fault Memory
- The list of stored trouble codes in a control module
- Multi-Plug
- A multi-pin electrical connector on a wiring harness
- Oil Gallery
- An internal oil passage in the engine
- Re-Program
- Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
- Trouble Code
- A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
- Blower Motor
- The fan that pushes air through the heater and air-conditioning
- Bush
- A rubber mounting that lets a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
- Bushes
- Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
- Evaporator
- The air-conditioning heat exchanger in the dashboard that cools the cabin air
- Head Gasket
- The seal between the cylinder head and the engine block
- Lower Arm
- A suspension link that locates the wheel at the bottom of the hub
Frequently asked questions
What are the common faults with the Alfa Romeo 156 1.6?
This guide contains 22 workshop bulletins for the Alfa Romeo 156 1.6. Of these, nine concern the engine and fuel system and three the brakes. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.
Does every Alfa Romeo 156 1.6 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Alfa Romeo 156 1.6 faults myself?
Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.