Re-homogenize An Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Tavalin

Tavalin

Florida Mike (again)
Hello,
I need some serious assistance. When we moved to the UK we decided to keep the 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Ti Sport Q4 because it is of European origin. Seemed at the time to be a smart decision.
Now, when we went to do the light conversion at Sturges Leicaster, England, after six hours they could only change the taillight lenses. This cost me over $1500. They told me that the Alfa techs in Italy said it was impossible to change the BCM region, to “re-homogenize” the Alfa to have the lights proper for the UK.
So, I have amber LEDs now for turn signals. However, the amber turn signals and the brake lights are on at the same time. If I use my turn signal the brake blink with it. If the brake light is on the turn signal is also on.
This seems really incorrect that it is impossible to change the region code for an Alfa.
I have waited for this dealer so long that I have only two weeks left on my customs paperwork before I have to park the Alfa for good.
Please help!!!
Michael Tavalin
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Where in the UK did you move to?

I don’t have an answer for you, maybe phone around and try one of the independent Alfa Specialists in the UK. The owners club is https://www.aroc-uk.com/ reach out to them, they may be able offer some help or point you to someone in the ‘know’...
 
NEG said:
Where in the UK did you move to?

I don’t have an answer for you, maybe phone around and try one of the independent Alfa Specialists in the UK. The owners club is https://www.aroc-uk.com/ reach out to them, they may be able offer some help or point you to someone in the ‘know’...
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Thank you… I have an appointment with a company in South Hampton to redo the lenses of the Alfa in four weeks. I am going to have to get an extension to my customs paperwork to get this done.
I will go to the club and see if there is anything closer to where we are, Peterborough.
Mike
Formally, Nebraska Mike, Tampa Mike now British Mike…lol
 
NEG said:
OK good luck, did you bring the x1/9 over as well?
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Unfortunately, the starter went out and we sold it last minute to Barry. He is not as active as I was on the forum. We really miss the X1/9. I hope to purchase another one when we get back in about five years.
Thanks for the help.
Mike
 
Alfaworkshop.co.uk are based in Royston, ask for Jamie Porter, they’re not too far away. Jamie has an excellent reputation.
 
NEG said:
Alfaworkshop.co.uk are based in Royston, ask for Jamie Porter, they’re not too far away. Jamie has an excellent reputation.
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Alfa works shop… I will have to look them up Monday. I really hope to be able to drive the Alfa here.
Lee at the other shop said more and more companies are locking their systems so people can’t move them around. He said Audi just started doing that too. What a shame. You have to sell your car or store it if you move to another region.
Thank you for the help.
Mike
 
NEG said:
Shame about the x1/9...
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We are actually sad about it. I spent a lot of blood and sweat on that X1/9. Many trials and tribulations and what I have learned. I really miss it. Tampa was the perfect place for it too.
We will get another one. Gary have the money in his account for when we get back.
Mike
 
Isn't that the most annoying thing ever? I converted my wife's SQ5 to amber, recoded it so the damn brake lights didn't come on too.

Super annoying that car manufacturers do this stuff.

I'd be surprised if you couldn't code the Alfa.
 
And by the way, I didn't change any region on the SQ5, I simply recoded the tail light behavior after adding the European light clusters with amber LED turn signals.
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Unfortunately, the starter went out and we sold it last minute to Barry. He is not as active as I was on the forum.

Hey Mike, I was active initially but have mostly been lurking in the shadows. Had to redirect my toy money for a few months (medical not covered by insurance), which really sucks but will be back at it in a couple of months. Lots of back road driving though, which was my original intent. The roads here are gorgeous - smooth, fast, and curvy with zero traffic. Went to take it out yesterday but the right rear tire was flat with a screw in it but if that's the worse thing to happen to it so far I'm ok with that!

Good luck with your Alfa and thanks for taking me for a ride in it, it's a beauty.
 
a possible workaround, install a different break switch that actually turns the brake lights and disable the factory brake light switch, you will probably need to put in a fake brake light that draws the right power for the computer to not freak out when it sees that you have removed the computers wires to the factory brake lights (that you are now powering with your aftermarket brake light switch)
 
Is there a UK Alfa forum?
Usually there are some members that know their way around the electronics with a laptop to do things like what bjwhite describes above.
If someone says he knows how to recode it, just pay him to do it.

On my more modern cars, such individuals can do way more than the average dealer shop can do.
 
There is a UK guy on YouTube with a channel called "Italia Autos". He seems to know everything about Alfa Romeo. Maybe a long shot but maybe it's worth contacting him?
 
Sigh, nothing is worse than a post 1974 Alfa than a new Alfa. Your big mistake was buying the Stelvio.

Happiest day was when the 164 blew up its 2nd manual gear box and I was done with it. Good alfas are 74 and earlier, the rest are expensive junk.
 
dnudelman said:
Sigh, nothing is worse than a post 1974 Alfa than a new Alfa. Your big mistake was buying the Stelvio.

Happiest day was when the 164 blew up its 2nd manual gear box and I was done with it. Good alfas are 74 and earlier, the rest are expensive junk.
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Absolutely stupid post. Nothing wrong with a post-1974 Alfa, and certainly nothing wrong with a Stelvio. And what's up with your arbitrary 1974 cutoff date? My 88 Milano was awesome. My 88 Spider has 227,000 miles on it. And the Stelvio is just fine.
 
bjwhite said:
Absolutely stupid post. Nothing wrong with a post-1974 Alfa, and certainly nothing wrong with a Stelvio. And what's up with your arbitrary 1974 cutoff date? My 88 Milano was awesome. My 88 Spider has 227,000 miles on it. And the Stelvio is just fine.
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Glad you've been happy with your 88 spider, which is 1967 car with Bosch Fuel intection and your Milano, a 74 Alfetta without Russian steel. I will certainly admit that the Milanos were screwed together better than my old 79 Alfetta GT
 
Ah the old Russian Steel nugget! The one that says Fiat/Lancia received Russian Steel in a reciprocal deal for production of the 124....but Alfa where not part of Fiat until 1986!
 
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