We bought my son a 500S to learn to drive in and it was woefully slow. We took it to our local dealer and they reflashed the ecu which made a difference. It was better for about a month and has gone back to how it was. It’s underpowered that we need second gear to get up the hill we live on and driving it is almost hard work. Does anybody know if there have been any updates in the last year? I don’t really want to pay for an hours labour to be told it’s up to date.

Seems unlikely that it's a software issue. Is there a dealer somewhere nearby who has a 1.2 that you could test drive just to compare? I'm fairly sure we have some members in Cumbria who could give it a look over, too. jatkinson for example

There’s nothing wrong with it mechanically just the usual feeling of no power. I drive other manufacturers cars that are 1 litre and more torquey. The last ecu reflash made it better but it seems to have lost what was gained. Thanks for the suggestion of a local member but there’s nothing mechanically wrong. I’m an ex Fiat DET and although it’s been a few years It does drive like they used to. I know Fiat like to reflash modules so was hoping there had been a recent ecu reflash

Is this related to the Euro6..
Watchdog show mapping woes?

Strange that it has lost something.


No issues with flat batteries..??

I didn’t see watchdog but I’ve heard about it. I bought the car for my son who’s learning to drive but it had no power at all on hills but ok on the flat. My local dealer put it on their diagnostic machine and there was an outstanding update which made the car better but only for a while. When I worked with Fiat software updates were common as they are with most manufacturers so I’m hoping there’s a more recent one.. The battery is ok, stop start stopped working but the car has little use. We have a few cars so I try and rotate them until my son passes his test and uses it daily. I’ve used the 500 for a few days and stop start is working again.

You might as well forget the stop start.
It's not a clever system and tends to give up the ghost (and fail to stop) as the battery gets on a bit.

Fiat should have fitted a capacitor and hybrid alternator to restart the engine like Citroen did.
That works faultlessly, every time.

I’ve always found it works better than other manufacturers when the battery is good. Hybrid technology alternators weren’t a thing when the 500 was launched. It’s started to become more common now so Fiat might move that way in the future

You do get used to driving around the way the 1.2 responds, it's just the mapping is a bit odd below about 2,500 rpm, after that its okay. Newer 1.2's (Euro 6 ??) respond in a much better way lower down the rev range.


As for start / stop - the 500 S we have works much better than our much more expensive Land Rover !

bilo999 said:

You do get used to driving around the way the 1.2 responds, it's just the mapping is a bit odd below about 2,500 rpm, after that its okay. Newer 1.2's (Euro 6 ??) respond in a much better way lower down the rev range.


As for start / stop - the 500 S we have works much better than our much more expensive Land Rover !

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If you're sure it's a mapping issue, I wouldn't take it to Fiat to get their latest map put on it as it'll still be more concerned with meeting the stringent emissions standards. Try somewhere like Celtic Tuning, they should be able to unlock a map more suitable to efficiency across the power band.

One 500 pwner had a dealer..small expert centre..
Do an update that lasted.

I am intrigued by the fact it has defaulted to the sluggish side...

Put the Snap on diagnostic kit on it today. There was a history code of p0101 intake manifold leak. No real usable current data info available so I really need to sort some leads and download the MES programme. Can anybody recommend a supplier for the leads that work correctly without having to modify them?
Thanks

sworks said:

Can anybody recommend a supplier for the leads that work correctly without having to modify them?
Thanks

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Lonelec MultiECUScan Multi ECU Scan Full Interface Kit: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

These work perfectly!

Had our 1.2 63plate 600s convertible remapped by a specialist and it was like unstrapping an elephant off the back off it... completely different car! Not just a little better... but lot

p6baseunit said:

Lonelec MultiECUScan Multi ECU Scan Full Interface Kit: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

These work perfectly!

Click to expand...

Thank you

http://www.gendan.co.uk/ come highly recommended too, and do package deals with MES and the appropriate cables.