Either is a good bet.
Technical Dead Battery
- Thread starter staffordmike
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Technical Dead Battery
Either is a good bet.
:yeahthat: 
Craikeybaby
New member
I'll see what I can rig up as they have different size terminals.
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Isn't it a little extreme getting the car towed for a battery? I would just go and get a new battery and bring it back to the car and exchange it at home, it would likely be cheaper even if you haven't alternative transport, go by bus/taxi/lift. I am suggesting replacing the battery as they aren't expensive (unless you have stop-start) and being 5yrs old it has had a reasonable life and could do with changing.
If you have breakdown recovery then they usually have batteries in the back of their vans for you to buy, at inflated cost, for this exact situation.
That's a pretty convincing "your battery is dead" description TBH- even if by some miracle you resurrect it I'd bet at the first sign of winter weather it'd die.
I would never take it to the dealer though for this, order one from these guys: http://www.advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/
Craikeybaby
New member
I can swap the battery out this morning. The "your battery is dead" light didn't illuminate on the charger, but the fact is took less than 45 minutes to charge rang alarm bells.
There's no stop start, so I'll get a new battery, I can get a Bosch one for £50 locally, so will try that, then cleaning the earthing strap if that fails.
There's no stop start, so I'll get a new battery, I can get a Bosch one for £50 locally, so will try that, then cleaning the earthing strap if that fails.
Tend to agree. My 500 ran out of electricity yesterday too, but I had been sitting in the car with the lights and radio on for a little while like an idiot.
ahmett
Prominent member
almost always is the battery because fiat put absolutely awful batteries on the 500 that have very low capacity for all the things that need to be used electronically (car chargers, usb sticks, gps, lighting, heating, etc. )Perhaps it's not the battery and that's why it charged in 45 mins!
As usual you're talking crap ahmett. When the engine is on this is all powered by the alternator. Plus the last time I checked the heating was done with waste heat from the engine.
ahmett
Prominent member
Maxi, if the battery is rubbish, the alternator is as good as nothing. What good is the alternator when starting the car or waiting in traffic without a battery? And you need electrical power to turn on the heater in the first place.
Craikeybaby
New member
It lives!
I fitted a new battery and it started first time!
I fitted a new battery and it started first time!
Piccolo Nero e Bella
Prominent member
Right on, but it's not just Fiat, to save weight most manufacturers specify a battery that's got just enough capacity and no more. One of the best upgrades you can make to any car is to fit the biggest battery that you can squeeze in and still shut the bonnet.
ahmett
Prominent member
2-3 kgs for a slightly bigger battery doesnt mean anything. its more to do with car manufacturers trying to save every cent they can and putting the absolutely most rubbish and cheap battery they can get away with!
A car will run on it's alternator in traffic ahmett.....
Not really. I'd you fot a battery that's too large then there are negatives too....
ahmett
Prominent member
Only if you've a smart charging alternator and its US'ed, or the battery connections fail, and this is only as the alternator thinks the battery is fully charged and disconnects.
Pre smart alternators you can easily run about with no battery, although not advised
ahmett
Prominent member
Only if you've a smart charging alternator and its US'ed, or the battery connections fail, and this is only as the alternator thinks the battery is fully charged and disconnects.
Pre smart alternators you can easily run about with no battery, although not advised
My car would cut off idle when the battery was messed up as it was not able to charge . (Car was started with auxiliary starter)
My question to you would be how often do you use your stop start??
I'm asking because stop start rapidly reduces the life of your battery, battery's are working harder these days think of all the times you sat in traffic the cars switched off but yet the radio/heaters/lights are still on, what's running all these things? The battery.
A bigger battery is needed to run all this. I'm not saying this will completely solve the problem but a bigger battery and turning the stop start off every now and then will prolong the battery life and give it that much needed charge.
I'm asking because stop start rapidly reduces the life of your battery, battery's are working harder these days think of all the times you sat in traffic the cars switched off but yet the radio/heaters/lights are still on, what's running all these things? The battery.
A bigger battery is needed to run all this. I'm not saying this will completely solve the problem but a bigger battery and turning the stop start off every now and then will prolong the battery life and give it that much needed charge.
