Technical Check Steering Error - software fix - charge even though in warranty?

[Fiat500Lou]

Ok. What's the going rate for a battery change?

 

[306maxi]

yes, but I have noticed once or twice it lacks a bit of spark when turning the key (feels ever so slightly sluggish). A few months ago my wife had a knee op and it wasn't driven for months, add to this a cold winter and it failed to start on one occasion.

Having said that the error message has been intermittent before, during and after that time

My money is on the battery then. My car is funny, it gave the steering warning last winter, but it's been reluctant to start this winter and hasn't given a steering warning yet it's given an airbag warning when the battery is bad. Now that its a bit warmer and the car has had a few longer runs the airbag warning never happens.

IMHO a weak battery in a 500 = lots of warning messages and intermittent problems.

 

[jrkitching]

Ok. What's the going rate for a battery change?

IIRC Maxi bought one at Costco recently. I'd have thought you could pick up a decent one for a non - S/S 500 for about £50-£60.

My car is funny, it gave the steering warning last winter, but it's been reluctant to start this winter and hasn't given a steering warning yet it's given an airbag warning when the battery is bad.

Why don't you just fit the one you bought recently and put your poor car out of its misery?

 

[306maxi]

Ok. What's the going rate for a battery change?

I'd go to a local motor factor and ask I paid 50 something pounds for a battery which is bigger than it needs to be for the 500

 

[jrkitching]

I paid 50 something pounds for a battery which is bigger than it needs to be for the 500

Well worth it though - that is the 'hardware fix' equivalent of the 'software fix' for the weakening battery issue.

 

[306maxi]

Well worth it though - that is the 'hardware fix' equivalent of the 'software fix' for the weakening battery issue.

Yup. If it lasts an extra year or so I'll be happy.

 

[frupi]

http://www.tayna.co.uk/Type-202-Varta-Blue-Dynamic-Car-Battery-P2810.html

I think that is the size for the 500 1.2 non S/S (you'd have to check dimensions) and a good price too, even with delivery. Varta are one of the best battery makers out there, owned by Johnson Controls who also make Bosch batteries.

 

[306maxi]

I think my 500 came with a bigger battery than that, my Panda however has a battery of that size. My Bosch battery is 52ah and 520cca and was 56 quid I think.

 

[frupi]

The Halfords branded equivalent to the Varta I posted in the previous link, is a HB202 and is a cool £84.99. The HB202 is what matches the 500 1.2 non s/s on the search function.

It pays to shop around.