Technical Do I have a low battery??

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Technical Do I have a low battery??

coldnhardshoulder

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I just received my Stilo back from the Insurance company (they took 5 months just to repair frontal damage...long long story). When i turned the car on Wednesday, everything started up as normal but then ABS Failure flashed up and I thought I would turn the car off and leave it, hoping that i would reset itself.

I went out today and pressed the open button on the keyfob and nothing happened, had to open the car door my putting the key in. I started the car but nothing happened, it made a funny noise the dials jerked and all the warning lights flashed up (ABS failure, Airbag failure and EDM something, the oil light came on). Is this all due to a low battery??, do i need to replace the battery??. I thought the Car Repair people would have at least charged up the battery because the car had been sitting in their garage since November 2008!

How easy is it to replace the battery, I am not exactly mechanic of the year!! I cant be arsed with getting it to a Fiat Dealer i really hate them.
 
I would just give it a charge for 12-15 hours with a trickle charger. The batt may be fine but gone too low for the alternator to fully charge again.
If you have engine warning lights you should'nt and the garage is incompetent so take it back.
 
Yes; this is typical of a car unused for a long time or only used on short journeys.

As Stu says, either go for a long drive or charge the battery.

If it's still the same afterwards then fit a new battery (batteries can die if left unused)
 
Thanks for the help really grateful. Just wondering what type of screw driver do i need to remove the screws on the battery cover, Would halfords sell this?? Also would i need any other tools? Sorry to be a typical girl about this but it is all new to me!!
 
you can use a normal flat head that will fit into the grooves. I use a medium size one when taking mine off.
Then you'll need a socket set or spanners, i think from memory the battery terminals are held on with 10mm nuts.
 
Yes; this is typical of a car unused for a long time or only used on short journeys.

As Stu says, either go for a long drive or charge the battery.

If it's still the same afterwards then fit a new battery (batteries can die if left unused)
If the battery has gone below a certain percentage the alternator will never fully charge the battery again. This is why you use a trickle charger. If the battery isnt too old then the charger may just kick it back into life so the problem will not reoccur. While the alternator charging it will just give enough to start and run the car but the battery will drain again very quickly.
You lot should think yourself lucky im having this prob with a 70ah Porsche battery which the charger wont touch so it def wont touch my 98ah batt in the boot.:mad:

I will have to use one of these.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CTEK-3600-BAT...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

But you will be able to use this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-AUTO-MOTO...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

you can use a normal flat head that will fit into the grooves. I use a medium size one when taking mine off.
Then you'll need a socket set or spanners, i think from memory the battery terminals are held on with 10mm nuts.

Most trickle chargers can be done with battery still connected although i would advice to disconnect it first, and whilst charging check at regular intervals. ;)
 
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If the battery has gone below a certain percentage the alternator will never fully charge the battery again.
Maybe not on your planet but it does on mine :rolleyes:

It really is a pretty basic test. If the alternator can't the charge the battery back to a fully charged state (and I obviously assume the charging system is in good order) after a long run - then you need a new battery

In fact I'd go one further and suggest it's actually better to charge the battery this way than rely on trickle charging. Admittedly though, not good for the environment or the owners pocket if you've go nowhere to go ;)
 
I called the AA out, to look at the battery for me! The car still wouldn't start when the AA man tried. He plugged in his computer and it showed so many faults, he said that the battery was dead but the other faults were due to something else. The car also wouldn't recognise the keys (he said the padlock and car sign flashed up on the dash board). I have telephoned the insurance company's garage, obviously got fobbed off saying that a manger will call me back shortly and he has not.

I am really fed up!!! Anyone know of a good Fiat garage in Leeds
 
Stop pi$$ing around and phone the highest possible person and kick up mary stink. Say you carry children in your car and is come back a deathtrap, then you will get it sorted.
 
Im pretty sure im right Argo, unless i have got the wrong end of the stick and this only applies to us ICE boys silly big batteries.
Alternator kicks out something like 14.4 volts and basically can't help but charge a battery of any lower voltage than this.

I called the AA out, to look at the battery for me! The car still wouldn't start when the AA man tried. He plugged in his computer and it showed so many faults, he said that the battery was dead but the other faults were due to something else. The car also wouldn't recognise the keys (he said the padlock and car sign flashed up on the dash board). I have telephoned the insurance company's garage, obviously got fobbed off saying that a manger will call me back shortly and he has not.

I am really fed up!!! Anyone know of a good Fiat garage in Leeds
I still say it's likely the battery is the problem (or at least the main part) but volxstu is right. It's down to the insurance company to get it sorted and they should pay for your visit to a local specialist Fiat garage.
 
I had to ring up Nationwide Crash Repairs in Leeds this morning to talk to Gary. He just went on about not being his fault and i said as if it is my fault!!! I just said to him the car wasn't like this when it went in all it had was a dent a bent wheel! They are collecting the car on monday, i hope they are not expecting me to pay for any of this, especially if it turns out that it just needs a new battery. I also opened the boot today and found a huge stoking great plastic spare part, it looks like some inner bumper trim or something. I mean thanks guys for the memento but i do not really need that!

I have had the worse luck with this Stilo, the only reason it went it to the Insurance garage was that a car had smashed reversed into my drivers side wing, bent the wheel and the wing and the bumper, then sped off. My neighbours got the number plate but the car turned out to be stolen! This all happened in November 2008!!!!!! Its now March :( still not sorted. I love the stilo although the major problems i have had with it this crash and other faults. I just do not think i can keep paying out money, I spent a £1000 on in September 2008, worth more than the car (53 reg 1.2 stilo)!

Ah well lets hope it all goes well from now. Just be aware of Nationwide crash repair centre especially in Leeds as they do not really give a damn what happens to your car. I seriously think that these problems were occurring when the car was with Nationwide but they just cleared them and jumped the battery.

Anyways thank you for all your help!
 
Make sure that you ring up your insurance company and tell them of your experience and problems with the crash repair centre. Say that you will not be satisfied until the car is returned fully working.
Be nice but firm they will be able to help you out and advice you and hopefully they will withdraw there recomendation for the repair centre so nobody else has to deal with them in the future.
 
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