Engine & fuel system
6 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
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 2.
Engine will not start
Faulty fuel pump (FP) relay.
Overview
- Affects
- All models, →10/06.
Repair steps
- Replace engine coolant blower motor relay 1 located in engine bay fuse box/relay plate 1.
- Replace fuel pump (FP) relay located in engine bay fuse box/relay plate 1.
- Replace engine control (EC) relay located in engine bay fuse box/relay plate 1.
Parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Relay | 46520422 | 3 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.
Engine vibrations, hesitations and misfiring when starting from cold
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
- Remedy
- Fit new part
- Parts
- 1 part
Cause
Engine control module (ECM) software fault.
Repair
- Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
- If no fault(s) found: Re-program ECM with upgraded software. Fit new spark plugs.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Spark plugs | 55182623 | 4 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated
Overview
- Affects
- All models with Diesel engines.
- Fault codes
P0237P0238P2562P2563
Symptoms
Lack of power. Possible trouble codes stored: P0237, P0238, P2562, P2563. Whistling noise from engine. White smoke coming from exhaust.
Cause
Turbocharger (TC) control pressure sensor faulty.
Internal failure of turbocharger (TC).
Repair
- Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
- If no fault(s) found: Replace turbocharger (TC) and turbocharger (TC) control pressure sensor.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.
Engine coolant leak from intake manifold area
Overview
- Affects
- All models with 1.6/2.0 Diesel engines, →10/09.
- Parts
- 4 parts
Cause
Intake manifold gasket failure due to Diesel fuel contamination.
Repair
- Pressure test cooling system.
- If coolant leak from area indicated: Replace black intake manifold gaskets with modified green gaskets.
Parts4 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Intake manifold gasket kit | 71754211 | 1 |
| Nut | 55192175 | 9 |
| Collar - 1,6 | 71714117 | 2 |
| Collar - 2,0 | 71714118 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 15.
Coolant leak in area of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler
Cause
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler housing cracked/broken.
Repair
- Fit modified EGR cooler housing.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| EGR cooler housing | 71772987 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 16.
Electrical & ignition
3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Intermittent self-activation of alarm system siren
Cause
Alarm system in car movement sensors faulty.
Repair
- Fit new alarm system in car movement sensors.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Alarm/central locking will not operate, but doors can be unlocked with key
Overview
- Affects
- All models, →VIN 7092553.
- Remedy
- Fit new part
- Parts
- 1 part
Cause
Transponder key not recognised.
Repair
- Check remote control battery, replace as required.
- Fit new ignition switch control module.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition switch control module | 156061620 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.
Rear electric windows not operating
Cause
Failure of window winder mechanism.
Repair
- Fit modified window winder mechanisms as necessary.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Window winder mechanism - LH | 71769766 | 1 |
| Window winder mechanism - RH | 71769765 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.
Brakes
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
ABS warning lamp illuminated
Overview
- Affects
- All models, →VIN 7097552.
- Fault codes
C1275- Remedy
- Fit new part
- Parts
- 2 parts
Symptoms
Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp illuminated. Trouble code stored: C1275 (ABS solenoid valve, frequent activation).
Cause
ABS/ESP control module software fault.
Repair
- Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
- If no fault(s) found: Fit new ABS/ESP control module.
Parts2 parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| ABS/ESP control module - except 3,2 AT | 71748766 | 1 |
| ABS/ESP control module - 3,2 AT | 71748767 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp illuminated
Symptoms
Trouble code stored: C1131 (ABS brake fluid pressure sensor, implausible signal).
Cause
Faulty ABS brake fluid pressure sensor, located in ABS hydraulic modulator.
Repair
- Fit new ABS hydraulic modulator.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Suspension & drivetrain
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Creaking noise from rear suspension over uneven surfaces
Rear shock absorbers worn. Fix: fit a new part.
Overview
- Affects
- All models, VIN →7069784 (except 2.4D JTD/3.2JTS).
- Remedy
- Fit new part
Repair steps
- Remove rear suspension struts.
- Thoroughly clean all mating surfaces.
- Fit new rear shock absorbers and suspension springs.
Parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorber | 50706476 | 2 |
| Suspension spring | - | 2 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Steering
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Noise from power steering pump after cold start
Air in power steering fluid.
Overview
- Affects
- All models.
Repair steps
- Drain power steering system.
- Turn steering from lock to lock 4-5 times.
- Flush power steering system out with recommended power steering fluid.
- Renew power steering fluid reservoir (1.9D JTD 16V/3.2 JTS).
- Refill power steering system (Tutela GI/R).
- Start engine. Turn steering from lock to lock 4-5 times to bleed system.
- Top up power steering fluid level.
- Check for leaks.
Parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| PAS reservoir | 50507184 | 1,9D JTD 16V/3,2 JTS |
| PAS fluid | Tutela GI/R | All engines |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Air conditioning & heating
2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Creaking noise from fascia
Heater intake air purity sensor vibrates against sensor bracket.
Overview
- Affects
- All models with heater intake air purity sensor, VIN →7066477.
Symptoms
Creaking noise from centre console.
Repair steps
- Remove windscreen RH scuttle panel.
- Remove heater intake air purity sensor bracket.
- Fit rubber pad and reassemble components.
Parts
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Rubber pad | 60695774 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Erratic AC compressor operation
Symptoms
Air conditioning (AC) inefficient when ambient air temperature is high.
Cause
AC receiver/drier faulty.
Repair
- Fit modified AC receiver/drier.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| AC receiver/drier | 71748263 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.
Wipers & visibility
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Rear screen washer not working
Symptoms
Water ingress into front footwells. Water ingress into load area. Water ingress into rear of passenger compartment.
Cause
Rear screen washer pipe split.
Repair
- Operate rear screen washer to pin-point leak. Repair rear screen washer pipe as necessary using repair kit.
Parts1 part
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Rear screen washer pipe repair kit | 51922436 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.
Glossary
Technical terms used in this guide.
- ECM
- Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
- VIN
- Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
- ABS
- Anti-lock braking system — stops the wheels locking under hard braking
- EGR
- Exhaust gas recirculation — feeds some exhaust gas back into the intake to cut emissions
- 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
- ABS/ESP
- Anti-lock braking and electronic stability programme — the system that stops the wheels locking and keeps the vehicle stable
- ESP
- Electronic stability programme — brakes individual wheels to stop a skid
- FP
- Fuel pump — the pump that supplies fuel from the tank
- KS
- Knock sensor — listens for engine knock so the engine control module can retard the timing
- RH
- Right-hand — the right side of the vehicle as you sit in it
- TC
- Turbocharger — the exhaust-driven compressor that boosts engine power
- Control Module
- A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
- EGR Cooler
- A heat exchanger that cools exhaust gas before it is fed back into the intake
- Intake Manifold
- The housing that distributes air into the cylinders
- Receiver/Drier
- The air-conditioning filter/dryer that removes moisture from the refrigerant
- Re-Program
- Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
- Relay
- An electrically operated switch
- Solenoid
- An electrically operated valve or actuator
- 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
- Recirculation
- Air-conditioning mode that recirculates cabin air instead of drawing in outside air
Frequently asked questions
What are the common faults with the Alfa Romeo 159 2.0 JTDM 16V?
This guide contains 16 workshop bulletins for the Alfa Romeo 159 2.0 JTDM 16V. Of these, six concern the engine and fuel system and three the electrical and ignition. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.
Does every Alfa Romeo 159 2.0 JTDM 16V 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 159 2.0 JTDM 16V faults myself?
Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.