The Fiat Abarth Specialist

18/06/2026

15/06/2026

This is real magic!! 😁🎩🪄💥 You've seen me replace head units and recode cars to enable features, but today I did something thought impossible!
Working for a gentleman, visiting him in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, to upgrade his Continental 7" Uconnect unit with DAB radio and Tom Tom Navigation but without Apple CarPlay 🍏 or Android Auto 🤖 in his recently purchased 2017 Abarth 595 Competizione 180. He wanted Apple CarPlay without the cost of replacing the head unit and I've found a way to do it (on certain units only). This on a head unit without the hardware or software to run it. It's not just a coding issue. Wait, what?! 🤔😲😮🧐😂🤫

Running a full diagnostics check using Multiecuscan software revealed a faulty digital climate control distribution flap actuator (one for the car dealer to fix under warranty). Then, the magic happened 😁🎩🪄🍏🤖 , plus correctly coded and a successful proxi alignment, all features fully working 😁👍🏻. The gentleman was very pleased to finally be able to use Apple CarPlay and Waze Maps on a large display. I also then replaced the chrome 7in surround with a black one. Finally, a cleanup of all TFT displays. I gave the car a good look over checking the condition and discussed the servicing due 🔧😊. We also discussed phone mounts📱, wheels 🛞, mudflaps 💦, suspension ➰️🏎 , exhausts 🤣🚗💥, security 🔒🚨. More happy customers! If you'd like your audio system, instrument cluster or any other electronics upgraded, or some magic 🎩🪄, you know who to contact! 😁👍🏻

14/06/2026

Mon 15th June driving return trip from Solihull to Shrewsbury via M6 M54 if you need me in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
💻😁🚗💥

09/06/2026

My job today, working for a gentleman, an Abarth Club West Midlands member, visiting him in Birmingham, to diagnose his car engine turning over but not starting on his pre-facelift 2013 Abarth 500 T-Jet 135. The car was running fine yesterday, but this morning refused to start. The AA had recovered the car home, but were unable to run diagnostics or isolate the fault. I first looked over the engine bay, checking the battery (charge and connections), wiring, fuses, relays, plus the air filter (for blockages) and oil (level and condition), and coolant (level and condition). All seemed okay for the engine to start. I then ran a full diagnostics check using Multiecuscan software, finding no engine faults, but an issue with the aftermarket head unit (causing flashing odometer), plus a failing heater blend flap actuator with the digital climate control (yet another one!). The fuel pump was refusing to run, even when directly actuated. I then removed the rear seat and tested the wiring to the pump, which tested fine. I directly powered the fuel pump with a power probe and it stayed inactive, so the pump needs replacing. I recommended what unit to buy and some local mobile mechanics to fit. The car is to be then booked for a service, recommending D.C. Edginton and Sons in Studley. 🔧😁 Finally, a discussion about security 🔒🚨. Another happy customer! If you'd like your car issues diagnosed you know who to contact! 💻😁👍🏻

06/06/2026

My job today, working for a gentleman, a UK Abarth Owners Club member, visiting me from Derby, to code in a Marelli TFT instrument cluster I recommended he buy to replace the original Marelli analogue cluster, in his recently bought pre-facelift 2015 Abarth 595 Turismo Auto with 51k. The TFT cluster was from a 2014 Fiat 500 1.2 with just 11k, so the very last of the pre-facelift models and a very low mileage. It was an incredibly rare item to find used, good job it worked! 😊🎉 I first ran a partial diagnostics, finding an issue with the aftermarket head unit, which was causing a CANbus issue. I then cleaned and replaced the cluster. Once correctly coded and proxi aligned using Multiecuscan software, it transformed into a Abarth model, the service interval set, the mileage updated, all features fully enabled and working. 👌🏻😁 I then also removed the old, fully working Blue & Me unit, as it's not required due to the aftermarket head unit, so can be sold. This car is due back for a replacement of the dashboard, the head unit and other electronic upgrades. As the car was recently purchased, I inspected it all over and discussed the servicing due, recommending C D Motors staffordshire Fiat / Abarth specialist 🔧😁 Finally, a discussion about Competizione mats 😮💰, exhausts 🤣 🚗💥, brakes 🛑, suspension ➰️🏎, audio upgrades 🔊😎 and security 🔒🚨. Another happy customer! If you'd like your car instrument cluster, audio system or any other electronics and interior upgraded, you know who to contact! 😁👍🏻

22/05/2026

My job today, working for a gentleman, a UK Abarth Owners Club member, visiting me all the way from Southampton, to code in a Marelli TFT instrument cluster I recommended he buy to replace the original Marelli analogue cluster, in his recently bought pre-facelift 2014 Abarth 595 Turismo Auto with 60k. We've been chatting for months about electronics upgrades. The TFT cluster was from a 2015 Fiat 500 1.2 Sport with 65k, so the very last of the pre-facelift models and a close enough mileage. It was an incredibly rare item to find used, good job it worked! 😊🎉 I first ran full diagnostics on all ecus (finding a minor AC issue). Then cleaned and replaced the cluster. Once correctly coded and proxi aligned using Multiecuscan software, it transformed into a Abarth model, the service interval set, all features fully enabled and working. 👌🏻😁 This car is due back for a full facelift dash upgrade, plus lots of other unique electronic and bodywork upgrades.⚡️💡👌🏻😉 Pre-facelift Abarth and Fiat 500 owners keep checking my posts for updates! 🧐😲 As the car was recently purchased, I inspected it all over and discussed the servicing due. 🔧😁 Finally, a discussion about Competizione mats 😮💰, exhausts 🤣 🚗💥, wheels 🛞, brakes 🛑 and security 🔒🚨. Another happy customer! If you'd like your car instrument cluster, audio system or any other electronics and interior upgraded, you know who to contact! 😁👍🏻

20/05/2026

Weds 28th May driving from Solihull to Wiltshire via M5 M4, returning Mon 1st June, if you need me in South West
💻😁🚗💥

15/05/2026

Today working on my own car again, a 2016 595 Competizione, changing the offside driveshaft as it's ten years old. I already changed the nearside one for new, so it made sense the replace the offside one too. Both are genuine Abarth parts. Now it's going to be more reliable, it's better for future engine tuning and I can drive it even harder now.... 🤣 🚗💥 Thanks to Alfashop Ltd for the parts.

09/05/2026

Today testing six Continental 7" Uconnect head units, some with navigation, all with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Dismantling, cleaning, security decoding, reassembling, test fitting. Then Multiecuscan full diagnostics, re-coding and proxi aligning. Then resetting to defaults, removing all user data, mobile phones and settings. Sound and feature testing. Further diagnostics testing using the hidden engineering menu. All passed, so added to stock. This testing reassures my customers that the hardware I provide works, backed up by my 30 day warranty. If you would like your Fiat 500 or Abarth 500, 595 or 695 audio upgraded, you know who to contact. 🚗🔊 😁👍🏻

06/05/2026

My job today, working for Simon , visiting him in Manchester, to supply and code in a replacement 5" Uconnect unit with DAB radio in a customers 2017 Abarth 595 Turismo 165. What an impressive Abarth specialist garage he runs! I highly recommend him. Running a partial diagnostics check using Multiecuscan software revealed no current faults, but the existing head unit kept power cycling. Once replaced and a successful proxi alignment, all features fully working. Finally, a cleanup of all TFT displays. I also then replaced the chrome 7in surround with a black one in Simon's 595 Competizione. More happy customers! If you'd like your audio system, instrument cluster or any other electronics upgraded, you know who to contact! 😁👍🏻