Technical Problem with 12v battery

[Fredemma]

Hi all
I have a fiat500e (Red) bought second hand. Since having the heating on max for about 15 minutes a few weeks ago, immediately after this and on 2 occasions since this the car has come up with multiple warnings and disallowed one pedal driving, climate control and Uconnect system. In the early hours of this morning after a New Year’s party it locked me out!. Got in through the boot and got it home.. I think this is a problem with the 12v battery? My brother has lent me a 6amp battery charger, but I’m nervous about using it being pretty gormless about such things. For a start, can I assume that the battery itself is standard lead acid? Or should I just try driving around for an hour? (I charged the car at home last night and was hoping this might in turn charge the 12v battery).
It’s due for a service and I’m not sure if the 12vbattery would be under warranty?, Am I better off just booking it in at the local dealers (though I’d have to wait weeks I think).
And in the meantime, is it safe to drive it assuming it starts ok (as it has this morning)?
Thank you in advance! Am new to EV driving… loving it so far other than this!

 

[Maybemaybenot]

Hi all
I have a fiat500e (Red) bought second hand. Since having the heating on max for about 15 minutes a few weeks ago, immediately after this and on 2 occasions since this the car has come up with multiple warnings and disallowed one pedal driving, climate control and Uconnect system. In the early hours of this morning after a New Year’s party it locked me out!. Got in through the boot and got it home.. I think this is a problem with the 12v battery? My brother has lent me a 6amp battery charger, but I’m nervous about using it being pretty gormless about such things. For a start, can I assume that the battery itself is standard lead acid? Or should I just try driving around for an hour? (I charged the car at home last night and was hoping this might in turn charge the 12v battery).
It’s due for a service and I’m not sure if the 12vbattery would be under warranty?, Am I better off just booking it in at the local dealers (though I’d have to wait weeks I think).
And in the meantime, is it safe to drive it assuming it starts ok (as it has this morning)?
Thank you in advance! Am new to EV driving… loving it so far other than this!

This sounds like it could be a problem with the wiring under the passenger seat. A problem Fiat know about and there is a recall for it. If the car is less than 3 years old get it booked in for inspection at a Fiat dealer.

 

[Fredemma]

This sounds like it could be a problem with the wiring under the passenger seat. A problem Fiat know about and there is a recall for it. If the car is less than 3 years old get it booked in for inspection at a Fiat dealer.

Thank you. Do I need to know a recall code?

 

[varesecrazy]

Thank you. Do I need to know a recall code?

maybe look on the DVLA recalls list?

It's not the best.. But free and quick

 

[Maybemaybenot]

It's not the best.. But free and quick

Not a safety recall so not there.

 

[IanML]

Hi all
I have a fiat500e (Red) bought second hand. Since having the heating on max for about 15 minutes a few weeks ago, immediately after this and on 2 occasions since this the car has come up with multiple warnings and disallowed one pedal driving, climate control and Uconnect system. In the early hours of this morning after a New Year’s party it locked me out!. Got in through the boot and got it home.. I think this is a problem with the 12v battery? My brother has lent me a 6amp battery charger, but I’m nervous about using it being pretty gormless about such things. For a start, can I assume that the battery itself is standard lead acid? Or should I just try driving around for an hour? (I charged the car at home last night and was hoping this might in turn charge the 12v battery).
It’s due for a service and I’m not sure if the 12vbattery would be under warranty?, Am I better off just booking it in at the local dealers (though I’d have to wait weeks I think).
And in the meantime, is it safe to drive it assuming it starts ok (as it has this morning)?
Thank you in advance! Am new to EV driving… loving it so far other than this!

The car will charge the 12V battery from the traction battery if it is powered up. This is ok if you have a garage, but obviously not if parked outside. You would have to have it powered to have the heating on, so I don't think that would have caused the 12V to become depleted.

It will also charge the 12V when the traction battery is being recharged. I have also once observed it charging the 12V when switched off, but I don't know what rule it observes to control that function.

The 12V battery is a standard lead/acid

 

[Maybemaybenot]

The car will charge the 12V battery from the traction battery if it is powered up. This is ok if you have a garage, but obviously not if parked outside. You would have to have it powered to have the heating on, so I don't think that would have caused the 12V to become depleted.

It will also charge the 12V when the traction battery is being recharged. I have also once observed it charging the 12V when switched off, but I don't know what rule it observes to control that function.

The 12V battery is a standard lead/acid

Assuming the 12v is in good health then the car will charge it from the traction battery overnight, around 2am.

 

[Fredemma]

The car will charge the 12V battery from the traction battery if it is powered up. This is ok if you have a garage, but obviously not if parked outside. You would have to have it powered to have the heating on, so I don't think that would have caused the 12V to become depleted.

It will also charge the 12V when the traction battery is being recharged. I have also once observed it charging the 12V when switched off, but I don't know what rule it observes to control that function.

The 12V battery is a standard lead/acid

Thank you for that . No garage so home charging is done outside.

I’ve booked it in as it’s due a service anyway. In the interim week I think I’ll plug it in every night (as long as the traction battery isn’t already at 100%). I do lots of very short journeys, rarely more than 15 minutes, so today I drove around for an hour just to give it an extra chance to charge. I also have to park against a wall wrong way round (so the charger isn’t vulnerable to being knocked on our narrow lane parking bay) and clamber over, using the left hand door for access and I’ve read on another thread that this door (bizarrely) uses the 12v battery. It’s a 2nd hand car, almost 2 years old and I gather the Fiat batteries aren’t great. The car may have stood unused for months before resale too I suppose. Anyway, it’s still under warranty and they’ve confirmed that covers 12v replacement, so that’s good (plus they supply a courtesy car). Fingers crossed it will get fixed. It drove ok today though two brake function glitches (no AEB and hillhold not working in Normal mode).
Thank you again for taking time to reply and Happy 2025!

 

[Fredemma]

Assuming the 12v is in good health then the car will charge it from the traction battery overnight, around 2am.

Thank you, that’s helpful to have it confirmed. Happy new year!