Technical Numerous electrical faults with 2013 model (lights issues and warning lights)

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Technical Numerous electrical faults with 2013 model (lights issues and warning lights)

GS90

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Hi all,

Just looking for some assistance with various issues with the OH's 2013 500! Done a fair bit of Google searches but wanted to try and be a bit more detailed.

A good few weeks back the car just wouldn't start, ignition lights would all come on but after trying to start it would click and turn off. Had a quick look and the positive side of the battery was loose. Tightened it all back up and it was sorted. Mate loaned me a multi-meter and the battery was reading 12.10v.

The car has been fine for the past month but then threw up another issue last week. The left indicator would work but the right one would only flash once, go off, and throw up an error. That night, we noticed the car lights had actually stayed on, too. They definitely weren't on in the car, and it wasn't the 'follow me home' option either, so I disconnected the battery after a few failed attempts at other checks, left it overnight and the next day the car was fine again. She'd driven it a few times since then and again there wasn't any issues, lights were all fine, indicators worked fine again.

Today she started the car and it now has a myriad of warning lights; ABS, petrol, airbags, steering. The digital petrol gauge isn't working either, so looks like the tank is completely empty (though its actually almost full). I disconnected the battery, left it a few mins and hooked it back up, but the issue persists (the radio also threw up a 'Code Error' but I reckon that's just from me quickly disconnecting the battery, as it was fine the last time when left overnight).

I can only assume its an electrical fault of some kind that's knocking out everything else, or there's some unseen problem with the battery, but other than that I really can't tell what's wrong with this thing!
 
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Hi, thanks for the reply! Its a 2013 plate, but I'm not sure if the battery has ever been changed before. To be honest I'm not even sure if the battery would die in that amount of time (my Leon is a 2013 plate and the battery hasn't been changed).

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a look at where those are and see if its something I can figure out. Realistically might need to go to a garage but hopefully its just something simple like a new battery. At least I can do that myself.
 
WWW.batterymegastore.co.uk if it's a stop start car they're not cheap if original it's probably had it, the earth strap is just under the battery tray going to the gearbox.
There's a well documented issue with the wires going through the flexible to the boot lid, basically the insulation fails the wires then break or worse short together giving lots of very weird electrical issues(requires a little work to investigate but not hard)
 
I’ve been using www.tayna.co.uk for batteries recently. Great prices.

The first thing would definitely be the battery. It’s 7 years old, that’s old for a battery on a sensitive modern car.

As John has suggested the earth lead is the next thing. Not the one from the battery but the main earth that goes from the gearbox to the chassis leg under the battery tray. Known to fail. I changed one today in a 2012 car as it was very corroded. This causes all sorts of problem with steering and starting especially.

Third thing is again as John said, the dreaded hatch wiring. It’s worth checking that while you’re waiting for your battery to arrive.
IMG_5240.JPG
 
I was cleaning the inside of my car this evening and knocked the left stalk by accident..my dash read follow me home 30 😳 spent 10 mins sat there thinking ….eh 😂 so funny I’ve had the car so long and she’s still surprising me! Figured what it’s for now ..am I the only one that didn’t know ..apparently cars have had this functionality for years😂
 
Hi, thanks for the reply! Its a 2013 plate, but I'm not sure if the battery has ever been changed before. To be honest I'm not even sure if the battery would die in that amount of time (my Leon is a 2013 plate and the battery hasn't been changed).

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a look at where those are and see if its something I can figure out. Realistically might need to go to a garage but hopefully its just something simple like a new battery. At least I can do that myself.
If you have the multimeter still give it another test

Also check the voltage from the positive terminal to the engine block with the negative.it should be close to the battery voltage if the earth is in good condition

Also note a reading of 12.1v means the battery is nearly flat a fully charged battery should be around 12.6v
 
Funny enough, my wife phoned me on Saturday to say she had parked Winnie, our 1015 500 Sport across town to wait for my daughter. She'd sat listening to the radio and about 5 mins later, when my daughter arrived, the car wouldn't start and had a coolant temperature too high warning. I went out with water and tools and tried to start the car. It just clicked and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. Checked battery voltage and it was 12.1v. Luckily the car was on a hill so I bump started it and checked the voltage again - 14.something volts. As the car is needed every day and Halfords was about a mile away, we went there and got the battery tested. It was shot so I bit the bullet and got a new one. Whilst fitting it in the car park, 4 other people came out of Halfords with new batteries and there was a sea of open bonnets and the gentle sound of people swearing!! It must have been the sudden exceptionally cold morning that did for us all! Our 500 had been showing no signs at all of battery issues except the stop start didn't function, which I'd put down to the cold weather and the fact it mostly only does short trips.
The battery I removed appeared to be the original which for a 7 yr old car isn't too bad in my opinion.
Since fitting, the stop start works and I have been awarded many 'good husband' points!!

Cheers,

Rich
 
I was cleaning the inside of my car this evening and knocked the left stalk by accident..my dash read follow me home 30 😳 spent 10 mins sat there thinking ….eh 😂 so funny I’ve had the car so long and she’s still surprising me! Figured what it’s for now ..am I the only one that didn’t know ..apparently cars have had this functionality for years😂

I think even my '97 Brava had this. 100% sure my Stilo's ('03 and '04) had this.
Psst! It's in the manual;)

gr J
 
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