General help with dashboard lights!

[fiatpanda2016]

FIAT PANDA 2016 SEMI AUTOMATIC

i keep getting the (pictured) red light every time I drive my car, I can't pinpoint what exactly it is that im doing but when the light does show up the gas pedal stops working, it slows me down and while it flashes it says start and stop disconnected refer to the owners manual and then it turns into a yellow triangle and it's gone the next time I turn the car on. I've been to two mechanics now and one just found the error code, deleted it and said that's it. when the light came back I went to the second mechanic and was told its fine to drive on but that it means there's something wrong with the transmission. I don't know what to do, I dont know what it is and I dont feel safe driving. I've been told that it could be something with the gearbox sensor, the battery, the earth straps, or a voltage drop. please help! thank you

 

[varesecrazy]

Check the rear brake lights work properly

The brake switch is used as a system sensor

 

[JayAre]

I believe the stop/start will deactivate if the battery voltage drops below a certain voltage (what that is I don’t know) and maybe that triggers the warning light you’re seeing? The same can happen with the electric power steering which can also deactivate (steering becomes very heavy) if the battery voltage drops. Your car is 8 years old now - is the battery the same age? If so it might be worth investigating this as a possible (or contributory) cause.
Can anyone recommend a cheap+accurate and easy-to-use battery voltage tester?

 

[JayAre]

OK, just searched the Feb 2016 Owners Manual and p47 shows your warning sign + text explanation. Seems you need advice from someone who’s familiar with and understands not just these cars but also the Dualogic transmission - you don’t live in the south of England by any chance…?

 

[fiatpanda2016]

OK, just searched the Feb 2016 Owners Manual and p47 shows your warning sign + text explanation. Seems you need advice from someone who’s familiar with and understands not just these cars but also the Dualogic transmission - you don’t live in the south of England by any chance…?

Omg thank you! I tried to find this in the manual but had no luck! I'm in Sheffield, probably not the south but I've always been bad at geography

 

[fiatpanda2016]

I believe the stop/start will deactivate if the battery voltage drops below a certain voltage (what that is I don’t know) and maybe that triggers the warning light you’re seeing? The same can happen with the electric power steering which can also deactivate (steering becomes very heavy) if the battery voltage drops. Your car is 8 years old now - is the battery the same age? If so it might be worth investigating this as a possible (or contributory) cause.
Can anyone recommend a cheap+accurate and easy-to-use battery voltage tester?

Steering doesn't become heavy and the city feature doesn't turn off either but I think this could also be a good reason as to why this is happening, I had a service done in May and was told that my battery was good but will get myself a voltage tester, thank you!

 

[varesecrazy]

Can anyone recommend a cheap+accurate and easy-to-use battery voltage tester?

Not personally, as that was always quite specialised

You used to use a Hydrometer, but batteries are built differently now..

A Voltmeter will only tell you so much

Member @AnthonyH
Invested in some form of tester recently

Maybe they could advise

 

[AnthonyH]

Not personally, as that was always quite specialised

You used to use a Hydrometer, but batteries are built differently now..

A Voltmeter will only tell you so much

Member @AnthonyH
Invested in some form of tester recently

Maybe they could advise

I bought the battery tester below off Amazon for £37, its since increased in price to £45. You can buy them cheaper, but this one was sold and dispatched by Amazon themselves, in my experience when Amazon do this the quality of the product is high. Its super easy to use, appears accurate, a sturdy build, and if i'd had one sooner I could have saved myself a lot of bother a couple of weeks ago. You can't really tell anything much from the voltage on a battery. They can be reading 12.6V and appear normal - but in fact they're health is at 20%. Thats what this battery tester does, it gives you a percentage health, and recommends you charge or change your battery.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CYHCQ7C

 

[fiatpanda2016]

I bought the battery tester below off Amazon for £37, its since increased in price to £45. You can buy them cheaper, but this one was sold and dispatched by Amazon themselves, in my experience when Amazon do this the quality of the product is high. Its super easy to use, appears accurate, a sturdy build, and if i'd had one sooner I could have saved myself a lot of bother a couple of weeks ago. You can't really tell anything much from the voltage on a battery. They can be reading 12.6V and appear normal - but in fact they're health is at 20%. Thats what this battery tester does, it gives you a percentage health, and recommends you charge or change your battery.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09CYHCQ7C

Thank you! Can I just ask what is the difference between the 100 and 200 apart from the extras ?

 

[AB100]

Thank you! Can I just ask what is the difference between the 100 and 200 apart from the extras ?

You could nip down to Eurocarparts (3 in Sheffield) and get them to test the battery for free - they normally do this. If it's the battery they can provide one for between £45 and £150.

 

[AnthonyH]

Thank you! Can I just ask what is the difference between the 100 and 200 apart from the extras ?

The 200 model will test 24v batteries in buses and trucks. So I presume you don't need that.

You could nip down to Eurocarparts (3 in Sheffield) and get them to test the battery for free - they normally do this. If it's the battery they can provide one for between £45 and £150.

Halfords also do a free battery health test

 

[varesecrazy]

The 200 model will test 24v batteries in buses and trucks. So I presume you don't need that.


Halfords also do a free battery health test

Useful, thanks

(Your Amazon link seemed to say £26 yesterday..)


Halfords,

I took a Halfords Calcium battery to my local store, as the Panda had been having issues and my meter was unreliable

They tested the battery as 'Good',

I said that's frustrating as I am doubting it.. It was relatively new.. So they swapped for a New one

Took it home, problem had gone

I have limited faith in their testing

 

[AnthonyH]

Useful, thanks

(Your Amazon link seemed to say £26 yesterday..)


Halfords,

I took a Halfords Calcium battery to my local store, as the Panda had been having issues and my meter was unreliable

They tested the battery as 'Good',

I said that's frustrating as I am doubting it.. It was relatively new.. So they swapped for a New one

Took it home, problem had gone

I have limited faith in their testing

Gotta larf haven't you , lol. The staff member wanted to go and have a vape no doubt, or something like that lol.

 

[fiatpanda2016]

Thanks to everyone for the help but got quoted and getting the gearbox fixed won't be worth it and I dont have enough experience to repair it myself.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

That warning light is telling you the DualLogic (semi automatic) Gearbox is faulty - and that's probably not a battery issue.

It could be low fluid in the auto-changer system, but those gearboxes do seem to be fragile and very expensive to repair once broken. (sorry). Fiat stopped making them a few years back, owing to poor reliability I suspect.

 

[AnthonyH]

The error code you posted says its just a sensor thats the problem, getting just that sensor fixed may solve the problem. I think you should do this before giving up on the car.

If that does fix i'd suggest you sell it on anyway, because these gearboxes aren't good.

 

[fiatpanda2016]

The error code you posted says its just a sensor thats the problem, getting just that sensor fixed may solve the problem. I think you should do this before giving up on the car.

If that does fix i'd suggest you sell it on anyway, because these gearboxes aren't good.

Was told that removing the gearbox alone, just to check what the problem is, would drive up the price. My last year with this beaut then she's gone

 

[varesecrazy]

Was told that removing the gearbox alone, just to check what the problem is, would drive up the price. My last year with this beaut then she's gone

Member @irc has been around these units, so could possibly add useful pointers here

The Specialist in Derby is very good,
IF you need work

 

[JayAre]

Member @irc has been around these units, so could possibly add useful pointers here

The Specialist in Derby is very good,
IF you need work

John Cooper?

Fiat Panda servicing in Derby from John Cooper - 01332 343968

Get your Fiat Panda serviced in Derby by John Cooper. Call us today on 01332 343968 or submit an online enquiry.

johncooperderby.co.uk

 

[varesecrazy]

John Cooper?

Fiat Panda servicing in Derby from John Cooper - 01332 343968

Get your Fiat Panda serviced in Derby by John Cooper. Call us today on 01332 343968 or submit an online enquiry.

johncooperderby.co.uk

I don't think so..

I may try and find details on here of the Duologic repair place,
(I am pretty sure it's Derby..)