Alfa Romeo2006–2011

Spider 3.2 JTS: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

7 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, three concern the electrical and ignition and two the engine and fuel system. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Engine & fuel system

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated

Affects All models with petrol engines.P0325P1325

Symptoms

Trouble codes stored: P0325, P1325.

Cause

Knock sensor (KS) fault.

Repair

  1. Check wiring connector and resistance of KS. Replace parts as necessary.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Difficult to add fuel to tank due to spit back or delivery cut-off

Affects All models.Fit modified part

Cause

Poor manufacture of fuel tank.

Repair

  1. Fit modified fuel tank.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Fuel tank505149511

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Electrical & ignition

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Door mirror(s) not retracting

Overview

Affects
All models with retractable door mirrors.

Cause

Poor electrical contact between harness multi-plug and door mirror retract motor.

Repair

  1. Remove door mirror glass.
  2. Ensure harness multi-plug correctly fitted.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Intermittent self-activation of alarm system siren

Affects All models with alarm system, VIN →5019321.Fit new part

Cause

Alarm system in car movement sensors too sensitive.

Repair

  1. Fit new alarm system in car movement sensors.
Parts3 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Alarm system in car movement primary sensor505116821
Alarm system in car movement secondary sensor505116831
Alarm system in car movement secondary sensor505116832

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Automatic window partial opening function not working correctly

Affects All models, VIN →5014726.

Cause

Electric window control module software fault.

Repair

  1. Replace electric window control module(s) as required.
Parts8 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Electric window control module, left front - without retractable door mirrors (LHD)505105101
Electric window control module, left front - with retractable door mirrors (LHD)505105111
Electric window control module, right front - without retractable door mirrors (LHD)505105141
Electric window control module, right front - with retractable door mirrors (LHD)505105151
Electric window control module, right front - without retractable door mirrors (RHD)505105121
Electric window control module, right front - with retractable door mirrors (RHD)505105131
Electric window control module, left front - without retractable door mirrors (RHD)505105161
Electric window control module, left front - with retractable door mirrors (RHD)505105171

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

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

  1. Drain power steering system.
  2. Turn steering from lock to lock 4-5 times.
  3. Flush power steering system out with recommended power steering fluid.
  4. Renew power steering fluid reservoir (1.9D JTD 16V/3.2 JTS).
  5. Refill power steering system (Tutela GI/R).
  6. Start engine. Turn steering from lock to lock 4-5 times to bleed system.
  7. Top up power steering fluid level.
  8. Check for leaks.

Parts

Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
PAS reservoir505071841,9D JTD 16V/3,2 JTS
PAS fluidTutela GI/RAll engines

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Air conditioning & heating

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Erratic AC compressor operation

Affects All models with air conditioning (AC): 159: VIN →7053519. Spider/Brera: VIN →5010764.Fit modified part

Symptoms

Air conditioning (AC) inefficient when ambient air temperature is high.

Cause

AC receiver/drier faulty.

Repair

  1. Fit modified AC receiver/drier.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
AC receiver/drier717482631

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

VIN
Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
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
KS
Knock sensor — listens for engine knock so the engine control module can retard the timing
Control Module
A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Multi-Plug
A multi-pin electrical connector on a wiring harness
Receiver/Drier
The air-conditioning filter/dryer that removes moisture from the refrigerant

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.2 JTS?

This guide contains seven workshop bulletins for the Alfa Romeo Spider 3.2 JTS. Of these, three concern the electrical and ignition and two the engine and fuel system. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Alfa Romeo Spider 3.2 JTS 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 Spider 3.2 JTS faults myself?

Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.

Related guides

Glossary term

See in the glossary →