What's up with my Fiat 500X electrics?
I have a 2016 1.4 petrol Fiat 500X MultiAir. My stop-start system says it is not available and drive mode unavailable with symbols for start-stop and engine fault on the dashboard. This has been happening on and off for some time. The car just seems to reset after a week or so. I have done 58,000 miles and it has just passed its NCT and has had a service.
Ann Godfrey (Irvine)Jul 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Ann,
We'd suspect the battery or alternator aren't performing at their best. Stop-start issues are very commonplace, across all cars. So much so that we've written a feature for drivers on the subject: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Warning lights on my Fiat 500L...
Hi,
I was going up hill to join a motorway and I’m guessing I was in too high gear, then my warning light and engine light came on and then a message telling me that to stop-start had been deactivated. The warning lights remained for the rest of the journey. Can you tell me what happened? I have a 2013 Fiat 500L.
Thanks
Tanya Palluotto (Stevenage )Jul 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Tanya,
It sounds to us like the alternator may have been struggling to produce enough electrical power and that perhaps your battery could do with replacement. If the problem has not reoccurred then it's nothing to worry about, but no harm getting your battery checked before winter sets in.
My Insignia's stop-start system is faulty.
I have a 2015 Insignia 1.6 CDTi Ecoflex. The stop-start system only works when the battery is charged manually and then stops after a few days. New battery fitted by dealer six months ago.
Brian Lochrie (Stevenage )Jun 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
We get so many queries about stop-start systems (in all makes and models) that we wrote a feature about it: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
However, in your case, perhaps there's something up with the alternator that prevents it from charging up the battery fully.
It may be worth getting an auto-electrician to check it out.
Start-stop on my Jeep Compass not right...
My start-stop is not working on my 2018 Jeep Compass. What should I do to get it working?
Tina Dunston (Cary)May 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Tina,
There can be many different reasons for a start-stop system not to work. We get so many queries about it that we wrote this feature: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
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.
My low-mileage car has stop-start issues...
My auto start-stop does not work; the dash says engine is on due to vehicle charging and it just stays that way. The car only has 10,000 miles on it.
Gerald Hawk (DUNMORE)Apr 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Gerald,
Most stop-start issues can be traced to a problem with the battery. Perhaps with such low mileage it isn't being kept topped up. Regardless, we suggest you read the feature we wrote about this, called Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
My F-150's auto stop isn't working...
I have a 2015 Ford F-150 and the auto stop just stopped working.
Andres Rios (Edinburg)Feb 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Andres,
Stop-start systems regularly stop working. So much so that we've written a guide on the subject: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
Should my Polo's stop-start be working cold?
The stop-start system on my 2019 1.0-litre petrol Polo is enabled with a stone cold engine: if I drive 100 yards after a overnight stop the stop-start is enabled. This can't be logical as the diesels all have to reach temperature before enabling it. Spoke to Volkswagen, but can't get a straight answer. I have also driven other petrol Polos and they are exactly the same.
John M (Cork)Feb 2020 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi John,
There's a lot less going on in the exhaust aftertreatment of a modern petrol engine than the equivalent diesel so I suspect the diesel needs the warm-up more. It may also be due to the extra strain on the starter and battery due to the high compression of the diesel engine. When the oil is cold, the friction may be higher, causing a higher strain again.
Either way, it's nothing to worry about.
What's up with my Fabia's stop-start?
I bought a Skoda Fabia and the stop-start doesn't work, plus it says low volt battery. I've been back to the dealer and he hasn't got a clue.
Please help
Sue Williams (Craven Arms )Jan 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Sue,
Sounds to us that the battery could be in poor condition. Lots of cars develop issues with their stop-start systems. We get so many questions about it that we wrote a feature about it all - Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
My new L200's stop-start is erratic...
Hi,
I have a new Mitsubishi L200 series 6 Barbarian. Done less than 500 miles, mixed driving. The auto stop-start is totally unreliable. Green light comes on first start, goes out, may occasionally flash whilst driving. Over a 40-mile trip the stop-start functioned only once. Worked less than half a dozen times since purchase. Dealer says no fault or error codes.
Any ideas?
Dave Lewis (Portsmouth)Jan 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
I'm surprised to hear that from a new truck where the battery will be in good condition, but stop-start systems regularly don't work as people expect. The system measures loads of variables before deciding whether the engine will be stopped, including the temperature of the engine and even the outside temperature. If it's cold weather, it may not work at all. If you're using items that are a big electrical drain, it may not operate.
Read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature