General Calling all start 'n' stop owners!
- Thread starter JimR123
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General Calling all start 'n' stop owners!
Same as the day it came out of the factory... the warning lights usually come on soon after startup (especially when reversing), and don't go off on their own.
Occassionally the start 'n' stop works correctly, but with no obvious and consistent pattern.
D4nny8oy
Established member
Had a look at the online technical data today, and there's a very recent new ECU update available for Stop/Start faults.
It's mainly regarding hill-starts (where the clutch is partially engaged, vehicle in-gear and engine running, but the vehicle is stationary- which confuses the ECU as it sees two conflicting 'states') but I can see where it may be the cause of this reversing issue also.
Maybe worth a visit to your Dealer?
It's mainly regarding hill-starts (where the clutch is partially engaged, vehicle in-gear and engine running, but the vehicle is stationary- which confuses the ECU as it sees two conflicting 'states') but I can see where it may be the cause of this reversing issue also.
Maybe worth a visit to your Dealer?
I don't suppose this online technical data is available to the general public?
It seems my dealer needs a little help in the awareness department because they are still saying, "we know nothing, we are waiting for Fiat to tell us what the solution is".
D4nny8oy
Established member
No, the server's can't handle the Dealer traffic, let alone public.
Speak to the DET- not reception staff/Sales/cleaner- and get them to check the Fiat 500 Service Bulletins on Elearn (10.35.09 is all I can give you).
Like I said, it doesn't refer to the reversing issue in the info, but it's a possible solution and tally's up with post about the 'modified' ECU someone had fitted previously.
Well it's been about 3 weeks since contacting our dealer with the news that other people with the same problem had it fixed with an ECU replacement.
When I called them they said they new nothing of the fix. They said they would submit a new case to Fiat on Monday (I can only call them on Saturdays). This was about 3 weeks ago.
One week after that, I called them to see if anything had progressed, and they said, "a case has been submitted and there's no news. Who's calling please?". Somehow, I'm not convinced that they're trying to help. After telling them who I was, they said they'd look into it and call me back.
Still no call, over a week later.
Can anybody tell me how long Fiat would take to reply back to a dealer about a problem report?
When I called them they said they new nothing of the fix. They said they would submit a new case to Fiat on Monday (I can only call them on Saturdays). This was about 3 weeks ago.
One week after that, I called them to see if anything had progressed, and they said, "a case has been submitted and there's no news. Who's calling please?". Somehow, I'm not convinced that they're trying to help. After telling them who I was, they said they'd look into it and call me back.
Still no call, over a week later.
Can anybody tell me how long Fiat would take to reply back to a dealer about a problem report?
That's great news! Good to hear that a solution is out there, somewhere.
I hope you don't mind me asking... How did you go about getting it fixed? Did you contact Fiat or was it a simple case of taking it to the dealer and they fixed it straight away?
...and also, how did the compensation come about? Did you have to keep "bothering" Fiat, or did they just contact you out of the blue with the news, and how did they compensate you?
Called the garage all the time and Fiat Customer Service. The service manager kept phoning Fiat tech department until they came up with the answer. I asked for compensation. They gave me Fiat vouchers which I can use for servicing or accessories.
Contacted Fiat again, as not heard from garage for weeks, despite the fact I keep ringing them up and they promising to call back, but never do.
Since contacting Fiat, the garage called us now, and told us that our problem was unique and that there is no fix!!! I get the impression they've not heard of the internet yet.
I understand that if they can't fix the problem after 3 attempts, then we have the right to reject the car. But, what happens if they just don't bother to do anything, because they claim they "know" that it's impossible to fix so why bother?
Also, if the car is rejected, we don't want to be left without a car. So do we get to keep hold of the rejected one until they build another, as they scrapped our old car in exchange for this one?
Since contacting Fiat, the garage called us now, and told us that our problem was unique and that there is no fix!!! I get the impression they've not heard of the internet yet.
I understand that if they can't fix the problem after 3 attempts, then we have the right to reject the car. But, what happens if they just don't bother to do anything, because they claim they "know" that it's impossible to fix so why bother?
Also, if the car is rejected, we don't want to be left without a car. So do we get to keep hold of the rejected one until they build another, as they scrapped our old car in exchange for this one?
Pretty poor. I'd start threatening them with some sort of legal action and talk about rejecting the car. No one's going to buy a used car with that fault.....
:shrug: I was just wondering ............. If all the new 500s that are being built have start 'n' stop and this problem hasn't been solved there are going to be an awful lot of people not very happy.
keeforelli
Member
:shrug: I was just wondering ............. If all the new 500s that are being built have start 'n' stop and this problem hasn't been solved there are going to be an awful lot of people not very happy.
this is EXACTLY what i was thinking!
D4nny8oy
Established member
:shrug: I was just wondering ............. If all the new 500s that are being built have start 'n' stop and this problem hasn't been solved there are going to be an awful lot of people not very happy.
I'm guessing they'd all have the latest ECU software which has been proven to cure the issue (as fitted to jeb1's car).
Saying that we've sold a few S/S now, same as T, and none have been back with this fault (even before the 'fix' was available), so it did appear to be a rare glitch.
Jim- all I can say is insist on them updating yours with the latest software like I mentioned (Service News 10.35.09)- at least it's something, and seeing as the bulletin came out after jeb1's was fixed, I'd say it's a good bet it's the cure.
That's good news, as apparently all new 500's will now come with Stop Start (except the Abarth), hence the price rise.
The plot thickens...
I received an email from Fiat, saying the following...
Dear Mr xxx,
I have spoken with xxx, Service manager at [our dealer] and he will contact [my OH] regarding her Fiat 500 to have her booked in for re-inspection. There is a software update available for the body computer that may be appropriate in this matter however [the service manager] will need to inspect the vehicle first.
If you would like to contact [the service manager] in the mean time, his number is xxx.
I trust this matter will be resolved for you and [my OH].
Sounds promising, right?...
Well, it turns out that the service manager rang my OH that same day, asking what the problem was with her car, and upon being told (for about the 4th time), he said that there were no other cases of this problem, and that there was no fix for it!!!
He also claimed to have gone and had a look at the webpage that I sent Fiat a link to, and that webpage just so happened to be this thread. I'm guessing he didn't actually read the webpage, or see the poll at the top showing that all s'n's owners on here have reported the problem.
We are not amused. :bang:
I received an email from Fiat, saying the following...
Dear Mr xxx,
I have spoken with xxx, Service manager at [our dealer] and he will contact [my OH] regarding her Fiat 500 to have her booked in for re-inspection. There is a software update available for the body computer that may be appropriate in this matter however [the service manager] will need to inspect the vehicle first.
If you would like to contact [the service manager] in the mean time, his number is xxx.
I trust this matter will be resolved for you and [my OH].
Sounds promising, right?...
Well, it turns out that the service manager rang my OH that same day, asking what the problem was with her car, and upon being told (for about the 4th time), he said that there were no other cases of this problem, and that there was no fix for it!!!
He also claimed to have gone and had a look at the webpage that I sent Fiat a link to, and that webpage just so happened to be this thread. I'm guessing he didn't actually read the webpage, or see the poll at the top showing that all s'n's owners on here have reported the problem.
We are not amused. :bang:
keeforelli
Member
horrendous miscommunication or are fiat telling porkies?....did you mention to the service manager that fiat have identified a fix?...
whats he doing next?
D4nny8oy
Established member
I'm not going to say it again. :bang:
The Bulletin itself is at the top of the "recent publications" in the Service News section- they can't fail to see it- and it's NOT a Body Computer update.
