Technical HELP! battery failure caused EDB, ABS and ASR failures, not starting!

[Ben B]

Yesterday the wife's Stilo wouldn't start, it appeared the battery was dead (can't work out why) I jump started it from another car and ran it for 15 minutes or so. All seemed fine, except an 'Engine Failure' light, though it idled and ran fine.

I then drove it to a meeting, no problem, and it started and drove back again without a problem.

This morning I went to start it and it wouldn't even try to turn over.

This time it was clear it isn't the battery being too weak for the starter, there's no sound of it turning, and the dash etc doesn't dim under the strain of the starter. Just doesn't try to start.

Along with that the screen is full of errors. I got EDB Failure, ABS Failure and ASR Failure lights.

Any idea what's going on (Or more importantly how to fix it?!)

Is the battery the fault?? Like I say it seems to have power. Is there any way of testing it for dead cells etc with a circuit tester??

At the moment I can't move it, it's at home. I may have to tow it to my work address so I can call the RAC!!

I hope someone can help! Thanks

 

[Yellow Peril]

What you are describing is typical behaviour of a Stilo with a failing battery. Stilos have a lot of electronics and computing power that needs a strong, powerful and healthy battery to drive it all. Get the most powerful replacement battery you can afford (preferably 75Ah or better).

 

[Deckchair5]

I would charge the battery up with it disconnected from the car ( be careful with jump starts, many an ECU has been wrecked with some thoughtless jump starts, they have to be done with careful attention to where you connect and the order of connections). Then reconnect, start it up and drive home but then disconnect the battery until you want to use it again. If the battery loses all its charge then it's the battery needs replacing. If the battery retains its charge then you have a significant battery drain somewhere in the car electrics causing it to lose all charge

 

[Ben B]

Thanks for the help! It's sorted now!!

Turns out the battery was losing it's charge, though not by much - it's surprising how such a small drop in voltage can make the Stilo have a fit!

I tested the voltage of the suspect battery and it was something like 11.8v
Took it out and put an old battery in and the car started fine, the errors are all gone!

I charged the suspect battery last night, it showed 12.6v. This morning it's already dropped to 12v, so it's losing it's charge all by itself, no fault in the car.

I'm buying the Stilo a new battery today from a local motor factors, 75Ah, £60.

Thanks for all the help, I'm so relieved there's no serious problems!!


Does this also explain why the Stilo was always popping up random error messages just after starting? Like fuel sensor error etc etc?

 

[BLKC99]

Does this also explain why the Stilo was always popping up random error messages just after starting? Like fuel sensor error etc etc?

Most probably, the majority or error codes which pop up on the instrument cluster when you first turn the engine over are mainly linked to the cars sensors who can not take a full reading on start up due to a low voltage supply from the battery.

 

[jasetheace2178]

Hey guys similar question to the original. My battery had died so I replaced it with one from motor world it starts fine now, but ASR and ABS lights come on when starting and stay there. Plus my radio doesn't work anymore. Does anyone have any ideas on what to look at next?
Any help would be great.
I have checked the radio fuse and the basic fuses below the steering wheel all are fine.
Cheers Jase

 

[andreist31]

Hey guys similar question to the original. My battery had died so I replaced it with one from motor world it starts fine now, but ASR and ABS lights come on when starting and stay there. Plus my radio doesn't work anymore. Does anyone have any ideas on what to look at next?
Any help would be great.
I have checked the radio fuse and the basic fuses below the steering wheel all are fine.
Cheers Jase

Hi Jase,

with what battery have you replaced it? How many Ah?

A

PS: Welcome to FF!

 

[jasetheace2178]

radio is working double checked it. the battery ah is 36 is this sufficient?

 

[andreist31]

radio is working double checked it. the battery ah is 36 is this sufficient?

what engine you said you have?
I got on my 1.6 16v stilo 54Ah but it is recommended 74Ah by anyone on this forum. 36 is way to low Amps per hour, but now depending on the engine... that might be the cause of problems...

 

[jasetheace2178]

I have a 1.2 just changed the battery for the recommended which is 45AH and still have the same problem.
The battery before was a 55 AH any other thoughts? cheers

 

[andreist31]

I have a 1.2 just changed the battery for the recommended which is 45AH and still have the same problem.
The battery before was a 55 AH any other thoughts? cheers

Have you tried starting the car 3 times to clear any error that might have remained in the ECU?
45Ah is still small, but should work.

I know I've seen in a few posts before saying that you should check the brake light switch, hadn't come over that problem. Have a read here: https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/236007-asr-abs-failure-signs-coming.html

Hope it helped,
Andy

 

[fender mender]

we had all the same problems with the memsaabs 1.2 stilomy auto factors said the battery was 45 put it on 2 days later same problem so they up rated it to a 54 & have hady no probs at all so i would say get a 54 or bigger