Hi all

I'm new here at the forum!

I just bought a used 500L and I am confused with the way Stop & Start is working. When I stop at traffic lights the engine stops, then starts again automatically after only 5 seconds. This happens consistently, whether temperature outside is 1oC or 10oC and whilst the engine is hot, even though I keep the brake pressure constant.

Do you know if this is the normal behaviour? Should I get it looked at?

Thanks!
Mario

Do you move the clutch at all?
As I believe the switch to trigger start stop is on the clutch pedal

Valid point. However, my car has an automatic gearbox - forgot to specify. As far as you know is this the correct behaviour of the Stop & Start?

Stop Start has a lot of different parameters in order for it to function (you should be able to find them in your manual).

If S/S is activating and then restarting the engine after 5 seconds, and you're not doing anything to make it restart the car, the most likely reason is probably going to be battery related.

In very basic terms, the system works on the assumption that it won't leave you high and dry with a flat battery caused by constantly stopping and restarting the engine!

So restarting after 5 seconds to me suggests the system is approaching a threshold limit - just about OK for it to work, but possibly not for much longer.

I had a 62 plate Punto which I bought in 2014. S/S worked for about 3 months, then never ever worked again before I sold the car last year. I had a spell of about 2 weeks where it would work on and off, before giving up altogether

Try changing the battery, should sort itself out. With all the cars I’ve owned that had Stop/ Start issues, it has always been the battery.