The Fiat Ducato radio is fitted as standard to many Fiat based motorhomes. Many motorhomers use the radio or CD player for entertainment purposes when pitched. Unfortunately, the radio is set to turn itself off after twenty minutes. However, the number of minutes can be increased by using the settings menu.
Here is a step by step guide to ensure that your music or radio program is not interrupted by the automatic switch of feature of the Fiat Ducato radio. These instructions relate to the X2/50 cab, usually 2007 – 2014. If you have a 2015 x290 cab, (slimmer headlights), click here for our step by step guide to accessing camper mode for that cab type.
1) Switch on the Fiat Ducato radio. Your display will look something like that shown below.
2) Within 15 seconds of switching the unit on, press the “FM AS” but and the “2” button – at the same time!
3) After pressing these two buttons simultaneously, your display will now show “CAMPER POWER MODE”. When pressing these two buttons at the same time, you MAY have to keep them pressed for a few seconds. My radio switches over to camper mode immediately. However, I have heard reports that sometimes, you may need to keep the buttons pressed for a few seconds.
4) Once you are in the “camper power mode”, press the MENU button once and then the “UP” arrow a couple of times until you see the words “RADIO OFF”. (The “up arrow” is located above the main on/off switch)
5) When the words “RADIO OFF” display, you may use the left and right arrow key to alter the switch off time from zero to 180 minutes.
To return to the “normal mode”, repeat steps 1 and 2. You must however switch the radio off first. So, if you are in “normal mode” and want to change to “camper mode”, switch off the radio, leave it a moment, and then follow the steps above.
The photo above shows the system back in normal mode. In normal mode, the radio will stay on for a maximum for twenty minutes. Visit the Fiat website for more technical help
Fiat Ducato radio – flatten a battery?
Be a tad careful though – I have no experience of a flat battery with my motorhome. I do not know how long running a radio would take to discharge a battery. Equally, I have not been able to find the power requirements to operate the Fiat Ducato cab radio.
Many motorhomes are fitted with an on board charging system that will charge both the leisure and vehicle battery. Check your motorhome hand book for more information about the charging system.
This fix has cheered up many Fiat owners, its a pity Fiat couldnt tell us how its was done! I dont suppose you have a similar “magic” fix for the “New” Ducato (X290) ?
nice to see someone has discovered the ‘hidden’ commands for this feature. Pity Fiat did not choose to detail this in the owners manual.
Hello – yes it is not the easiest thing to find out, but word is out now – share the info!
Great tip, really works on the Fiat X250 model or similar Peugeots, saved my sanity. Now got X290 with a different radio and need the cheat for that. Can anyone help?
Hi I’m in a rented 2018 Ducato motorhome and some bozo has switched he’s the controls to German. Do you know how to get them back k to English please?
Sorry – unable to help but maybe a YouTube video may be available?
I want to connect the TV sound in my ducato motorhome to play through the radio speakers.
Any ideas? Simple ideas, if possible.
Good morning, not sure on this one. Not something we have ever done. If you are hoping to improve the sound from the TV, then maybe a small sound bar would be an option?
An electronics buff has told me the following:
A lead with a headphone plug at each end to connect to headphone socket in TV and Aux socket on radio. On my 2017 model, Aux socket is beside USB (Mp3 input) beneath radio. Sound comes through speakers above our heads when watching TV rather than in rear of TV at front of motorhome. Hope this works for kA.
Brilliant stuff Tony. It’s here on line now, so hopefully your solution will be of assistance to others.