Technical Warning lights on dashboard, now battery dead

[Purpleshadow1975]

Hello,

I am new here and was hoping someone could advise if the two issues are related perhaps. I have a Fiat 500, 2013. A few weeks ago, the Start/Stop, Hill Start and ESP messages and lights came up, usually all at the same time. Didn't think much of it, since I never use Stop Start, who needs Hill Start help and I have no idea what ESP is (please ignore my ignorance). Now this afternoon, I wanted to pick up my daughter from school the car didn't start. Completely black, nothing, the key made a clicking sound once (I almost though I had broken the key) but nothing was happening. Couldn't even lock the car with the fob. I looked under the hood, not that I have much of an idea what I am looking for but found the battery, which is at least 6 years old, because we never changed it. All the cables looked like they were were they belong and nothing seemed chewed on or broken. A little later I tried starting the car again and this time the dashboard came on briefly, I heard a few clicking sounds and then it was dead again. After some googling it seems I need to replace the battery.

Now my question is, could the few weeks the Stop/Start, ESP and Hill Start warnings have been an indication of a battery problem or is it more likely a separate issue altogether? I am hoping they are linked because then I won't have the extra cost of fixing those. Also, I saw 3 or 4 screws where I think the battery is attached, is it just unscrewing those, take the battery out and put the new one back in? I haven't googled yet on how to replace a battery but thought I might as well give it a shot.

Many thanks, and sorry if it is a bit longwinded.
PurpleShadow

 

[ZaphodB]

How old is the battery ?

Look for a 4 digit (month/year) date code on the casing.

If you have a multimeter check and report back with terminal voltage with engine running , and then with engine stopped (after leaving it for 30 minutes)
Report back with results.

Also , main engine earth strap is very common on any older car to rot away (it's copper) and the connections of the same and will cause voltage drop , your sig says 2009 but you're saying its 2013 ?

 

[Purpleshadow1975]

Hiya, thanks for responding so quickly, it is 2013. Don't know why I had 2009 in mind. I don't have any tools for car problems, except a few light bulbs. I did not see any copper coloured cables, they were all in black casing.

 

[ZaphodB]

It's copper inside any cable sheaths is what I meant, it will slowly corrode/oxidise over time rotting away the copper.

Engine earth straps are absolutely crucial , and are often just bare braided which make them rot away even quicker than sheathed ones.
First symptoms of a corroded engine earth strap is poor starting and/or charging but can manifest in many many (seemingly random) symptoms.

You can pick up a cheap multimeter for way less than a tenner , and it will give you a basic idea of battery and alternator health.

Example: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176654426038

We can wallk you through how to use it

 

[Purpleshadow1975]

Many thanks. I will have a look at this.

 

[John202020]

New battery, a socket set required to remove 1 nut

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And new engine earth strap I'd guess, this is a "much" more complicated to replace given your lack of tools and experience? Though the part is only £5