Hi All
Just wondering if your local Fiat dealer tried this one to resolve an intermittent fault with the stop start syatem........

Garage:- "Ah!! Yes, the stop/start. Maybe it's to do with the routine you use for getting in and starting the car!"

Me:- WTF?

Garage:- "We've just had this with another car. Told the guy it's maybe not working because he put his seatbelt on before starting the car"

Me:- HaHa!! And he actually fell for that one? Nah, seriously What's wrong with it?

Garage:- Ahem! Thats what we really think may be the problem.

Me:- Are there any other Fiat dealers near to me?

As you can tell, the problem is still not resolved. Can anyone shed some light on this one, please

Unless it's a sensor fault, it's generally down to battery condition. Get them to plug it in to check for any logged faults... if not, take battery out and give it an overnight deep charge.

If problem goes away, then comes back, that'd suggest either a duff battery, a gubbed battery, or a charging problem (possible alternator issue).

HTH.

The car will tell them why it's not stopping when they plug it in to the examiner .... As above either sensor fault or a duff battery . I put a new battery on mine and its been faultless ever since.. Nb there is a list of conditions in the owners book showing when it will not work

Think it may be a sensor issue 'cos I somehow managed to stall the engine and when I pressed the clutch pedal down, the engine started.

Stop/start been working fine ever since.

Wil watch for it failing again and take it to them again

Cheers folks
Alan

cjdl said:

Unless it's a sensor fault, it's generally down to battery condition. Get them to plug it in to check for any logged faults... if not, take battery out and give it an overnight deep charge.

If problem goes away, then comes back, that'd suggest either a duff battery, a gubbed battery, or a charging problem (possible alternator issue).

HTH.

Click to expand...

I hope I don't sound too stupid, but how do you give the battery a "deep charge"? How do you charge a car battery? Thanks!

JackDeean said:

I hope I don't sound too stupid, but how do you give the battery a "deep charge"? How do you charge a car battery? Thanks!

Click to expand...

With a decent quality trickle charger

Get to lidl today
http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/SID-C...our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=6203

Flymo01 said:

Think it may be a sensor issue 'cos I somehow managed to stall the engine and when I pressed the clutch pedal down, the engine started.

Stop/start been working fine ever since.

Wil watch for it failing again and take it to them again

Click to expand...

Get the neutral switch callibrated

Just to add to this, I had some issues with my power steering, took it back to the dealer and they put it on a big charge overnight.

Fixed the issues plus it also helped the start stop system. It now stays off for longer at traffic lights. I'm guessing that when the system kicks in, the whole car is sucking juice from the battery, so if it isn't in great nick, then it'll throw up some issues.

Ok, here's an update.

Phoned the garage yesterday to book it inas the stop/start is still playing up, yet under "forced stalls" the system works fine.

The guy at the garage insists it the battery!! Says that if the battery is not charged enough, these smyptoms can happen.

I asked how come the "weakened" battery can start the system after a stall, but the system still refuses to stop/start as it should under nomal driving conditions.

Reply... The stop/start system requires more power to function

I asked if it was the norm for a one year old battery to be faulty. He replied "No, i'm not saying that your battery is faulty"

I said that if the battery wasn't faulty, there must be something up with the charging system. "No, I don't think there will be any problems with your charging system"

So, are you saying it's a design fault? That the charge system isn't up to the job of keeping the battery charged enough for the stop/start to work? Or that the stop/start system requires too much power to function? And therefore, the battery must be periodically charged by the owner?

NO, no!! Thats not what I'm saying at all!!

I must be missing something quite obvious here, i just fail to understand why i have to keep charging the battery every time the stop/start system begins to malfunction. Surely the cost of charging the battery is defeating the purpose of the stop/start system that's whole reason for existance is effectively to save fuel and therefore money?

Oh woe is me!!

Not working again!!!

Garage tested the battery and states its within the expected readings. But they've changed the battery "Just to appease you sir" (his words)

Why would a garage change a battery (which cost them money) just to appease a customer? If there was nothing wrong with the battery in the first place?

I'm lost! Should I seek a second opinion? Should I write to Fiat UK?

Flymo01 said:

Not working again!!!

Garage tested the battery and states its within the expected readings. But they've changed the battery "Just to appease you sir" (his words)

Why would a garage change a battery (which cost them money) just to appease a customer? If there was nothing wrong with the battery in the first place?

I'm lost! Should I seek a second opinion? Should I write to Fiat UK?

Click to expand...

the S/S NEEDS a great battery to function correctly,
quite a few of us have S/S that ONLY works sporadically / or after a LONG uninterrupted drive ( 1 hour plus),
having a dealer change the battery , to have it ruled out of a troubleshooting regime is actually GOOD news

Didn't want to speak too soon, but the replacement battery appears to have resolved the issue.

I wonder how long it will last this time?

Flymo01 said:

Didn't want to speak too soon, but the replacement battery appears to have resolved the issue.

I wonder how long it will last this time?

Click to expand...

2 to 3 years apparently

just call me "mystic Meg"

Thanks Mystic Meg