Thanks @bugsymike, I’ll give that a go.
Technical 2008 Fiat 500 Diesel, electrical faults/starter motor issues.
- Thread starter CazzyG
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Technical 2008 Fiat 500 Diesel, electrical faults/starter motor issues.
Just as a little side note to this, the alternators on these little fiats are very powerful with the electric power steering, therefore you might not see the lights getting brighter when you rev, you might find they dim if you turn the steering to full lock.
The Clicking you get when trying to start the car is an indicator of a low battery, There is enough power to activate the solenoid on the starter motor, but then when the starter tries to turn there is not enough power and the solenoid deactivates which is why you get that clicking.
The earth problem might be fixed its just the battery is low now.
Mine did this with that corroded nut.. only warm though.. needed a push start at a CovidTest Centre
Thought Id better fix it at that point
Generally any Battery will perform better when Warm than Cold .. thats how they are
In WW2, they used to preheat the torpedo batteries to get extra range.
Classic flat battery symptoms-clicking, I would see if there's a parasitic drain even though the Bluetooth module appears OK ?
The clicking signifies a LACK OF POWER.. often the battery..
but anything Slowing the flow of electrons can have the same effect
Any members near Bedford got a sensible workshop to recommend?
@CazzyG
Those jumpleads you tried..
did you try with a 2nd battery ??
Thats a FREE and 'tool free' 5 minute test you can do
There will be information out there that explains this clearly 'youtube' etc
But essentially you want the Red jumper cable with a Croc clip either end
Connect to the 500's Red - Positive battery terminal ( over the cable clamp) onto the metal clamp
Other end goes onto the 'donor battery' Red - positive terminal either over the metal clamp if its fitted in a car..
Or direct to the metal battery terminal
Positive : + plus if its just a spare battery
The Black Negative cable
One croc clip onto the Donor battery Negative : - minus.. or the metal clamp
(Still no electrical circuit until you place the other end of this Black cable onto the 500's Engine Metal)
Before you do this 'for real' watch a few videos... and figure out what comnections look like on your cars
Trickiest bit could be where to get the croc clip to stick - clamp onto the 500's engine metal
Do your research... the 500 owners manual might be of help
Any further questions feel free to ask
Buddy44
New member
Hi mate
I’m having the same issues as you’ve described too mine is a 2007 1.3 diesel and I’ve recently fitted a new battery and now when it’s cold it starts when it’s been rubbing on a journey as soon as I start it it won’t crank sometimes the starter clicks sometimes it doesn’t but it will bump start, I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve sorted it. Did you manage to rectify what it was
Just a small point and unlikely if no other issues, like using water or oil etc. But I went out to a guy who wanted a starter fitting, on inspection it turned out he had thought he had a dodgy starter and called a breakdown firm, who on finding the starter didn't turn thought a quick "tow" start would get him on his way!
I found water leak from headgasket had got into cylinders causing a hydraulic lock which when the "helpful" breakdown towed his van bent the conrod on one cylinder basically destroying the engine!
Personally I would strongly advise against towing or bump starting any modern vehicle and particularly diesel a engine due to much higher compression loads etc.
Valid point Mike
But if you drove it 20 minutes ago..and the levels are all holding.. personally I would still push / tow
My jtd that did this needed a pushstart once I arrived at a covid test site
But if you drove it 20 minutes ago..and the levels are all holding.. personally I would still push / tow
My jtd that did this needed a pushstart once I arrived at a covid test site
It's very easy to rule out the starter and it's power supply, connect a temporary wire to the start solenoid signal wire, if it won't crank at any point a quick DAB on the battery would check its operation and could be left in place for a while securely held in place and insulated if that proves reliable then it's the start signal system and it's components( one of our Accords had a failed ignition switch and a different Accord had a "dead sector" on the starter where its good one moment dead the next took some time to work that one out.
If no other choice and you know the cam belt is in good condition, then possibly second or third gear with a gentle lift up of the clutch if tow or steep hill permit, to minimise shock loading to the system, but ideally avoid if possible.
Yep back in ~2010 when the earth lead broke on the front of the gearbox of my Punto 1.3 multijet, I got very good at bump starting the car for the few days it was down till I could get it working again, this is also why I added a second earth high up on the engine so I wouldn’t have to go through that againValid point Mike
But if you drove it 20 minutes ago..and the levels are all holding.. personally I would still push / tow
My jtd that did this needed a pushstart once I arrived at a covid test site
