General Fiat 500c not starting unless jumped - have replaced carplay and disconnected blue&me, any other ideas of what it could be?

[charlillie]

Super frustrating and have had it looked at by various mechanics but no one can figure out … any ideas?
- blue&me disconnected
- has been re-alligned with the thing you plug into computer
- battery charges when plugged into a mains and lasts for 3 days
- i can go for a massive drive (5+ hours) and it will still not work next time I try
- 2015 plate

 

[John202020]

New battery? What do you mean lasts 3 days, should be able to sit weeks unused and still start.
Has the infamous engine earth strap been replaced?

 

[charlillie]

New battery? What do you mean lasts 3 days, should be able to sit weeks unused and still start.
Has the infamous engine earth strap been replaced?

Hey John!

I know, that’s the problem! If charged at garage it lasts three days to turn on and off otherwise I have to jump it, it has and still playing up, at the garage again today but losing my mind with ut

 

[John202020]

So are you saying it starts normally then after 3 days or so it won't?
Is it being driven in those days?
Tempted to say alternator( my dad's alternator failed last month, no warning lights)
Engine earth strap is a must if it's not been done, first.

 

[steveras57]

Hi can you get somebody with a multi-meter to check if its getting charging voltage from the alternator(should be 13.8 to 14.5)- its not impossible for the warning light to stay off! even if the battery is NOT receiving the correct voltage to maintain the battery!

 

[John202020]

Whilst testing voltage also try with and without a jump lead from a good earth point on the engine and the battery NEGATIVE?

 

[the green vanper]

First thing to replace is the earth cables (at least battery to body and body to gearbox). It has been described several times on the forum.

I'm buying a good quality copper welding cable from a welding hardware store, they can cut to length and add terminal with their crimping tool.

Then check / cleaning of the battery and alternator terminals. Check the main power supply cables, too.

Attached docs for the basic versions (no Abarth, LPG, Start&Stop, Dualogic etc).

 

[charlillie]

Hi can you get somebody with a multi-meter to check if its getting charging voltage from the alternator(should be 13.8 to 14.5)- its not impossible for the warning light to stay off! even if the battery is NOT receiving the correct voltage to maintain the battery!

battery’s all good - have tried that already, any other ideas?

 

[charlillie]

First thing to replace is the earth cables (at least battery to body and body to gearbox). It has been described several times on the forum.

I'm buying a good quality copper welding cable from a welding hardware store, they can cut to length and add terminal with their crimping tool.

Then check / cleaning of the battery and alternator terminals. Check the main power supply cables, too.

Attached docs for the basic versions (no Abarth, LPG, Start&Stop, Dualogic etc).

Thank you - earth straps already been changed but will check my start&stop wiring!

 

[charlillie]

So are you saying it starts normally then after 3 days or so it won't?
Is it being driven in those days?
Tempted to say alternator( my dad's alternator failed last month, no warning lights)
Engine earth strap is a must if it's not been done, first.

even if it’s driven everyday, just seems to stop after 3 on a full charge, super frustrating! Earth strap changed, battery checked, blue&me removed and a new car play installed

 

[steveras57]

battery’s all good - have tried that already, any other ideas?

Sorry to repeat myself but are you saying that the battery is getting a full and proper charge of over 13.8 volts from the cars alternator at idle speeds?.

 

[Mike1alike]

Have you checked the starter motor cables? Are the nuts that holds them proper tighten, contacts not loose?
It does sound like discharged battery though. Mesure the battery voltage when it doesn't start and if you can, the amperage, too. When engine is running, as asked above, what voltage is there, on the battery?

 

[Derbyfella]

Sorry - how do you know the blue and me is disconnected?

 

[jackwhoo]

battery’s all good - have tried that already, any other ideas?

How do you know/check the battery is good?
How old is the battery?

 

[the green vanper]

Thank you - earth straps already been changed but will check my start&stop wiring!

I will generate and upload the S&S version doc later on.

 

[varesecrazy]

Super frustrating and have had it looked at by various mechanics but no one can figure out … any ideas?
- blue&me disconnected
- has been re-alligned with the thing you plug into computer
- battery charges when plugged into a mains and lasts for 3 days
- i can go for a massive drive (5+ hours) and it will still not work next time I try
- 2015 plate

The forum had a useful GUIDE on the Parasitic Drain

That seems to be your issue

 

[the green vanper]

Thank you - earth straps already been changed but will check my start&stop wiring!

Ha, they are alredy here:

x150 - 500 eLearn E1020 Earth docs

Taken from eLearn FIAT 500 Earth docs. Covers standard, Start&Stop, LPG, Xenon headlights, Cabrio (500C) and Abarth

www.fiatforum.com

x150 - 500 eLearn E1010 Power supply docs

x150 - 500 eLearn E1010 Power supply docs Taken from online eLearn Covers standard, Start&Stop, LPG, Xenon headlights, Dualogic, Cabrio (500C), EUR6 and Abarth

www.fiatforum.com

 

[John202020]

even if it’s driven everyday, just seems to stop after 3 on a full charge, super frustrating! Earth strap changed, battery checked, blue&me removed and a new car play installed

You need to check the battery voltage if after charging it goes flat seems to indicate poor charging?

 

[steveras57]

Is it just me or do we seem to be saying the same thing over and over again? can we have a straightforward answer to the question Is the alternator producing the correct 13.8+voltage needed to recharge/maintain the battery condition? please!.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Hey Char
. Im sorry its still playing up. I am pretty sure its the after market radio. To test this it needs disconnecting to see if its draining thebattery.