General 500S Starts but then no gears . ESC etc

[gbandjg]

I have a 500S - here in Australia (Queensland so average temp 20c in winter and 30c in summer). I take the leads off as i leave the car for months at a time. I change all fluids every 12 months and after 3 years its only got 6000km on the clock. I regularly disconnect the red lead and just put it back on when i want to use the car. (the black lead is a nightmare to detach although i know thats first one off and last one one on normally) UNTIL last week - the car starts fine but it has warning lamps and messages everywhere - GEAR NOT AVAIL, ESC NOT AVAIL, HILL ASSIST NOT AVAIL, engine warning light etc etc
Dealer hasnt a clue - but has swapped the CPU from another car and it hasnt fixed it - any clue from anyone - I am worried by attaching the leads i could have blown something electrical even though everything else works great. I read here one instance of the battery being recharged and all the faults disappeared but my battery is great and I re started the car several times and the battery turns the engine over easily. Any ideas?

 

[varesecrazy]

I have a 500S - here in Australia (Queensland so average temp 20c in winter and 30c in summer). I take the leads off as i leave the car for months at a time. I change all fluids every 12 months and after 3 years its only got 6000km on the clock. I regularly disconnect the red lead and just put it back on when i want to use the car. (the black lead is a nightmare to detach although i know thats first one off and last one one on normally) UNTIL last week - the car starts fine but it has warning lamps and messages everywhere - GEAR NOT AVAIL, ESC NOT AVAIL, HILL ASSIST NOT AVAIL, engine warning light etc etc
Dealer hasnt a clue - but has swapped the CPU from another car and it hasnt fixed it - any clue from anyone - I am worried by attaching the leads i could have blown something electrical even though everything else works great. I read here one instance of the battery being recharged and all the faults disappeared but my battery is great and I re started the car several times and the battery turns the engine over easily. Any ideas?

Hi. Does sound ODD..

I WOULD try another battery anyway.

My suspicion initially was a bad earth cable

Read the FAQs at top of GP section

However youve not disturbed/ overflexed it. Charlie

 

[John202020]

I've heard of the "Christmas tree" of lights before but this has been on older cars and was often a result of the hatch wiring issue, given the age of your car its perhaps less likely.
If you wish to leave the battery connected you could use a solar charger to keep the battery charged, especially there in Australia where you have more sun, just sits on the dash, a second permanent live lighter socket makes connection much easier.

 

[gbandjg]

I will suggest to the dealer as he still has the car - to try another battery. Anything is worth a try as today they said they woudl try a new TCU (transmission control unit)
Sorry to sound dumb but what is the FAQs at top of GP section?

 

[rallycinq]

Frequently asked questions are at the top of each section.

I don't know what depreciation is like that side of the rock, but your dollar per mile cost must be huge.

D

 

[varesecrazy]

I will suggest to the dealer as he still has the car - to try another battery. Anything is worth a try as today they said they woudl try a new TCU (transmission control unit)
Sorry to sound dumb but what is the FAQs at top of GP section?

here you go..

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/318839-electrical-gremlin-thread.html

to be frank,
I'd be getting an auto electrician in if it's not a basic fault,

if you ask for a loan car .. costing the dealership money - then they may be keener to actually get yours working again.

good luck,
charlie