Hi folks!
Im a newly "wed" owner of a Stilo, 2002, (1,6 i think).

Im really bad in carknowledge and i need some help. I got 2 problems that i cant find any answers for on google.

The most annoying one; it wont start!
Im thinking it might just be the battery, and in that case i need to know where i can find a new one?
Description of the problem: when i got the car, it started without any faults. I sat in it for about 20 mins just to try all the buttons and all that stuff when i got home, just go get to know the car a bit better. I had the ignition on, didnt think 20 mins would empty the battery. However after that it didnt start, so i had to use a starterkit. I drove for a while and next time it started just fine.

Then a week ago, when its been standing still (its cold here) i had big problems starting it. I tried like 5 times before it started with the servo and everything.

And now... today it doesent start at all. So.. is the battery empty? How do i solve my problem? Try to load it? I mean its 12 years old... Buy a new one, how do i know which to buy?


Second problem is that my airbag warning lamp is shining, and it says something in german.... "airbag *** motor abstellen". This seems to be an elecrtical problem?

Best wishes from a newbie from sweden, i would appreciate any help!

Sounds like your battery is finished but test it just in case. I don't know where you would get one as I am in the UK. There is a few other Swedish members on here who may help more. Motor abstellen means stop motor. The airbag light just may be a connection problem. Look under both front seats. You will see connection wires and a plug. Undo them and clean but it may be worth disconnecting the battery first as it been known for the air bag to go off accidentally.

Is that a common problem, that the battery runs out for standing cold? I mean i drived like 30 mins just to charge the battery a bit after i had the problems first?

Anyway, thank you for answereing so quick, and lets hope some swede could help me. Or, if someone can tell me what specifikations i need and then i can just look in our carshops by myself, as long as i know what im searching for!

To give you an idea of what you may need

http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/fiat-stilo-battery

Yes a battery can give up in cold weather. They tend to only have a three year warranty. Look into a heavy duty one or look at a company called Motobatt. They make jell batteries for motorbikes that has like the cold better than your standard acid one. Not sure if they do car ones though.

If your battery was flat and your 30 minute drive may not have been enough to give it a full charge. When your car is standing overnight it is still using power from the battery. Minimum power but if not strong it will still drain a poor battery. You could buy a charger and take yours out and charge it overnight. Check it with a multi meter. You will be wanting just over 12v closer to 13 when full. Let it stand for a few hours and check again. If its still around the same power then it should be fine. Stick it in the car and turn the car on. Check with meter again and you are wanting just over 14v. If much lower or running up at 15.5v or more your alternator may be starting to go. Just concentrate on the battery first though and I am sure that is all it is.

Ignore faults such as airbag etc. until the battery problem is resolved. Low voltage can cause false errors.
An auto electrician can do a load test on the battery to determine it's health.(done for free here) I guess if it fails the test they can sell you a new battery. They will probably recommend a suitable battery for the area you live.

Most car parts shops will a do a battery test to see if the battery cells are damaged, this will let you know if its the battery. You will need to jump the car to get it to a shop tho. The test is normally free if the shop owner is honest.

bigad said:

Most car parts shops will a do a battery test to see if the battery cells are damaged, this will let you know if its the battery. You will need to jump the car to get it to a shop tho. The test is normally free if the shop owner is honest.

Click to expand...

Don't think anything is free in Sweden.

My Stilo uses this kind of Battery, maybe will help you to find one.

Maigretnz said:

Ignore faults such as airbag etc. until the battery problem is resolved. Low voltage can cause false errors.
An auto electrician can do a load test on the battery to determine it's health.(done for free here) I guess if it fails the test they can sell you a new battery. They will probably recommend a suitable battery for the area you live.

Click to expand...

Agree with this recommendations.

Mine needed the recessed terminal type to keep height of battery down. It had a battery like the one in previous post when I got it but the cover never fitted properly.

Replaced with DIN55 like this.

Allright, i will ignore the problem with the airbag-light. Seems reasonable!
I also wanna thank you guys who posted picks of your batterys, its gonna help me .

Anyway, i will get in touch with a autoshop to see what they can tella bout the battery. Thanks alot! And by the way, i dont think its free here tho