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My Fiat 500C's stop-start is playing up...

Hi,

I have a 2012 Fiat 500c manual. Over the past year, the stop-start has intermittently stopped working, warning light comes on saying stop-start not available and a yellow triangle. The last few months is has been happening more often, now warning light on constantly. I had the battery checked and it was 80 per cent. Charged battery and today warning light was on constantly for six miles, drove again and stop-start worked or at least no warning light for about a mile, then on again, tried quickly turning key in ignition 6 to 10 times and warning light stayed off for another 1/2 mile or so then back on, had a hose replaced in February from radiator and it started to say unavailable about middle of March. It's not affecting driving any other way just really annoying, don't know if a new battery will fix it. Fiat dealers are closed at the moment due to COVID-19 or I would have taken it for a diagnostic test.

Hope I've made sense.

Wendy Armson (Brierley Hill)

Apr 2020 Filed under: fault


Expert answer

Hi Wendy,

We get a lot of queries from people with cars that have stop-start issues. We've published this article to help: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?

Saying all that, we also know that the Fiat 500's engine can develop a couple of issues that may be relevant to you, including a problem with the alternator belt tension (and hence battery recharging when on the move) and another with the engine control unit.

Sadly, unless you're comfortable with checking the alternator belt for yourself, these items will have to be checked by a mechanic. 

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor
@Shane_O_D


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