(G) Battery Madness

Nasty.

Modern "maintanence-free" batteries don't act the same as the older style units.

If it's low on charge, a rapid charge or a short drive (using the alternator) will do little to 'top it up' as only the top of the cells receive it, then when the charger/engine is switched-off, that small charge then soaks into the rest of the battery, leaving it still in a poor condition.

The best charging method is with a trickle-charger, this allows the whole of the battery to absorb the charge.

If your 500 sat at the Dealers for a while before you received it, it's possible the battery had been run-down slightly by the various on-board systems, and the short journeys since haven't given it a chance to fully recover. Any cold morning start-ups will compound the issue further. Hopefully giving yours a full recharge should fix your problems.

Also, whenever the battery is disconnected, the systems should be 'Proxi-aligned' using the Examiner diagnostic computer to ensure they're all talking to each other correctly. Common issues with a Body Computer that isn't proxi-aligned can be flashing mileage and erratic fuel guage readings.

So every time the battery goes flat or is disconnected it needs to go back to Fiat to be re-configured

no not quite if the body commputer and dash pod are still connected to each other they don't need proxy

if they are separated they will

even if the battery is really flat there is still enough to keep things aligned

if for example you removed it to charge it overnight or just to change it then you be fine

o.p. your dealer has probably plugged your car in for a proxy alignment and a check around the ecu's i wouldn't worry to much

Not mine, or not when I've had it. The main problem is the £70 charge.

o.p. means original poster not you

any way you cant proxy align a classic panda it only has two ecu's one of which does a very simple job

Cheers littlepip - although I had the flashing mileage for the first time today, and i just picked it up yesterday! Stopped and switched off the engine and when i started it up it had gone. Have to say, without this forum I wouldn't have had a clue what was happening!

Officially it should only need Proxi alignment if a new Cluster/Body Comp./Convergence (Blue&Me)/ or Airbag ECU is introduced into the system, although it's good practice to perform the procedure if anything is disturbed to ensure everything is 100% before returning the vehicle to the customer.

And it definately should be carried out on PDI, even if all is working ok.

In any case, it's rare that you'd need to disconnect the battery.

exactly right

i started doing it on pdi after all the problems