Technical Panda cross 4x4 Battery Light

[HewitG]

Hi all,

I’ve got a 2016 Fiat Panda Cross 0.9 TwinAir 4x4 (44k) and I’m struggling with a persistent battery light issue. Since buying it a couple of weeks ago, the light keeps coming on.

So far, the alternator, battery, belt, and IBS sensor have all been replaced. All wiring and earths have been checked, and no ECU fault codes are showing. The car has been back to a Fiat specialist twice already.

Interestingly, if I disconnect the negative battery terminal, the light goes away. And if I drive with the IBS sensor disconnected, the fault doesn’t come back — just the start/stop warning on the dash.

Just replaced the IBS sensor with a new genuine one, and after 1.5 hours of driving, the light came back again.

Anyone had something similar or got ideas on what else it could be?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

While this might not be your issue, apparently if the alternator or battery sensor are replaced, you need to reset the battery monitor using MES.

However, the battery light should only ever come on if there’s no current reaching the battery… I assume it is being charged ok though?

A common issue is the earth ‘strap’ (which is actually a braided cable with a big plastic sleeve over it) which corrodes away. It’s bolted to the inside of the front subframe ‘leg’ just down in front of the battery and the other end is bolted to the gearbox bell housing, again near the front/top.

 

[HewitG]

While this might not be your issue, apparently if the alternator or battery sensor are replaced, you need to reset the battery monitor using MES.

However, the battery light should only ever come on if there’s no current reaching the battery… I assume it is being charged ok though?

A common issue is the earth ‘strap’ (which is actually a braided cable with a big plastic sleeve over it) which corrodes away. It’s bolted to the inside of the front subframe ‘leg’ just down in front of the battery and the other end is bolted to the gearbox bell housing, again near the front/top.

Thanks for replying, it looks like the car is only drawing 12.2v constant when running.
I’m thinking the alternator wasn’t replaced or tested properly. It just sit at 12.2 instead of 13.8!!

 

[porta]

Thanks for replying, it looks like the car is only drawing 12.2v constant when running.
I’m thinking the alternator wasn’t replaced or tested properly. It just sit at 12.2 instead of 13.8!!

Take it back to the garage who ‘advised’ all your new parts fitment

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks for replying, it looks like the car is only drawing 12.2v constant when running.
I’m thinking the alternator wasn’t replaced or tested properly. It just sit at 12.2 instead of 13.8!!

My 2013 Twinair charges most when on the overrun.. (akin to regenerative braking)

According to a meter in the 12v socket

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

My 2013 Twinair charges most when on the overrun.. (akin to regenerative braking)

According to a meter in the 12v socket

Yes, generally the Pandas with stop/start have an ‘intelligent’ alternator that provides power when the engine demands are lower (eg the overrun). But only if the battery condition sensor says it needs to…. At idle the output might be less than expected compared to a ‘conventional’ alternator, but can briefly peak at up to 17 volts on the overrun.

This does make testing it with the car stationary rather more tricky

 

[HewitG]

My 2013 Twinair charges most when on the overrun.. (akin to regenerative braking)

According to a meter in the 12v socket

I’ve live monitored it when driving for 20mins and the voltage doesn’t go over the 12.2! Even if driving adventurously with firm braking and/or overrun