[smrtdvl]

Originally Posted by mentalmaxout

Battery is fine... Got that checked... The issue seems to be something else .

I have the same problem in my 2011 Vista QDJ run 64k KM's. Today the car failed to start and got a few good people to help me push start it. The battery and glow plugs were checked just a fortnight ago when I had this car refusing to start problem during early mornings. My FNG said to turn the ignition on and off couple of times before I crank up the engine and it worked till today.

But today noon after a short drive while I tried to start the car the car refused to start but the rear wiper started to wipe even though the switch was in off position. Btw the tell tale lights were are all fine while this happened. What could be the problem?

[pkulkarni.2106]

Recently, my Santro started giving mild jerks while idling. These jerks were random and not periodic. I always thought it's a misfire.
I raised this numerous times during regular service, but the mechanics used to ignore it, saying the car is old and the jerks are normal.

Off late, I started experiencing misfire during drive as well. So, I took it to my FNG. He examined the idle and confirmed that there's a misfire. Upon checking, he diagnosed it to the IAC valve.


As per him, it needed cleaning and that'd solve the issue. But I was still not convinced as to why IAC valve would cause misfire during driving.

Also, after this IAC cleaning episode, my car isn't starting the way it should.

Here's how it behaves:
1. I crank the engine
2. Engine starts
3. After 2-3 seconds the engine dies.
4. If I again crank the engine, it won't start unless I press the A-pedal

I believe this new behavior is because of IAC valve only. But what baffles me is how the car idles fine after I press the A-pedal and let go?

[hserus]

Check your wiring for short circuits, rat bites etc?

Originally Posted by smrtdvl

I have the same problem in my 2011 Vista QDJ run 64k KM's. Today the car failed to start and got a few good people to help me push start it. The battery and glow plugs were checked just a fortnight ago when I had this car refusing to start problem during early mornings. My FNG said to turn the ignition on and off couple of times before I crank up the engine and it worked till today.

But today noon after a short drive while I tried to start the car the car refused to start but the rear wiper started to wipe even though the switch was in off position. Btw the tell tale lights were are all fine while this happened. What could be the problem?

[smrtdvl]

Originally Posted by hserus

Check your wiring for short circuits, rat bites etc?

Thanks hserus no sign of those. Couple of days back took it to the Battery shop, checked for acid and volt levels. All looked fine except for a drop in volt when the car was being cranked. He advised me for a battery charge and did the same. Now there is no problem but I try to switch off the audio system before I turn off the engine since it is a 40 month old battery. And I used to have the cabin lights turn on while the doors are open but now I have switched that off too.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by smrtdvl

Thanks hserus no sign of those. Couple of days back took it to the Battery shop, checked for acid and volt levels. All looked fine except for a drop in volt when the car was being cranked. He advised me for a battery charge and did the same. Now there is no problem but I try to switch off the audio system before I turn off the engine since it is a 40 month old battery. And I used to have the cabin lights turn on while the doors are open but now I have switched that off too.

At that old - I'd suggest that you just change the battery if you experience such issues. It is costly but definitely cheaper than being stranded in the middle of nowhere if it conks out on a highway run.

[smrtdvl]

Originally Posted by hserus

At that old - I'd suggest that you just change the battery if you experience such issues.

Brand new Amaron now takes care of the ignition Yesterday the battery again showed signs of weakness so drove to my regular Amaron shop and got the 40 month old exide replaced.

[sachinkudva]

All,

I am facing a horrible battery drain issue since a yr now. Hope to get some help here.

I own a 2012 Punto 90HP Diesel and in mid-2016 I replaced the stock ICE with a Pioneer Head Unit, Sony Amp, and JBL speakers.
Since mid-2017, I am facing too many electrical issues with the car. To start with, the alternator conked off on the highway (Hyd-Blr) after which I was forced to buy a new battery to complete my trip. After fixing the alternator, I had a grounding cable cut a few days later. After replacing the grounding cable, I slowly started having issues with battery drain. So much so, after a while I bought my own Bosch car battery charger.
My usual go-to electrical guy is a small electrical garage near the Bosch back gate, Adugodi, Bangalore. He was the one who fixed my alternator. Recently he cleaned the wiring of the amplifier by using proper connectors and also fixed a relay in between the amp and the battery. This fixed the issue partially. Now, instead of 12-15 hrs complete drain (down to ~7V) the battery now drains to ~11V in 36-48 hrs. As 11V is not enough to crank the engine, I have a starting issue if I don't use the car for even 2 days. (I cannot jump start as my parking is in the basement of an apartment with hardly any space to push the car.)
Also, not to forget, constant electrical issues also burnt my Airbag controller. I now have a permanent Airbag failure warning on my dashboard. (also means, no Airbags!!).
Meanwhile, the local Amaron person also told me that the replacement battery I purchased on the highway was that of a low end Indica, and mine being a top end Punto with ABS, Airbag etc, I need a bigger battery.

So now I am down to this:
- issue with a parasitic drain which needs to be found and fixed.
- Smaller capacity battery which may have lost a lot of health due to frequent discharge, disconnection and charging through home battery chargers. I plan to replace this with a brand new battery which fits the needs of the car.

What I now want is a reference to an electrical workshop who is willing to spend time to find the parasitic drain and end this ordeal once for all. Rather than a regular mechanic or a multi-brand service, I need a electrical specialist who is willing to get his hand dirty in localizing the issue by checking each and every circuit one by one, by removing the fuse.
Any references in Bangalore, preferably near Indiranagar, are welcome.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by sachinkudva

All,

I am facing a horrible battery drain issue since a yr now. Hope to get some help here.

Sorry to see you amidst such a problem. Must be an irritant to deal with, but I was looking for a reference to Fiat authorized service center in your post and what they said, but couldn't find any. Looks like you haven't checked with them. They should be able to do proper diagnostic tests with their scanners. Most electrical shops except for ASCs use generic scanners which may or may not point to the issue exactly.

I suggest you take your car to Fiat ASC for proper diagnosis.

Regards,
Saket

[sachinkudva]

Its funny how Fiat still has only 3 ASC's in Blr even after the move away from Tata many yrs back.
Unfortunately none of these are close by or convenient for me to visit. I did do my prev service through one of them about 8-10 months back (and I did have the issue then) but since its an old car, out of warranty and this particular issue arose due to after market mods, there was no willingness from their side to even acknowledge the same. After going out of warranty I find them to be too ignorant and expensive.
Also, when they have easy access to spares, all they want to say is 'replace or suffer'. Maybe that's why I still want to give a local guy a chance to fix it.

[Aroy]

The best method is to disconnect all the after market electricals and monitor the drain.

I suspect that some device, that is constantly on is draining your battery. That may be due to the fact that you have wired the accessories directly to the battery instead of through the main switch.

The failt may also lie with a relay that has been directly connected to the battery. So it is best to disconnect all the accessory wires connected to the battery and
. Watch for a few days. If the battery does not drain the basic circuits are fine. If it does, then you have to trace the wires that have power always - normally some lights and alarm systems.
. Once the basic wiring is checked and corrected, then you connect accessories one every two days and monitor the battery drain.

The accessory which is draining the battery will start doing so once connected. Then check it thoroughly.

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by sachinkudva

Also, when they have easy access to spares, all they want to say is 'replace or suffer'. Maybe that's why I still want to give a local guy a chance to fix it.

If you are not a DIY person then i suggest visiting the ASC is the only solution. Try to change your service adviser or better talk to the workshop manager directly.
Also this is a general lesson for all readers that how this kind of aftermarket installations done by unwilling technicians screw the car to this extent.

[nishantbhatia84]

Originally Posted by sachinkudva

I own a 2012 Punto 90HP Diesel and in mid-2016 I replaced the stock ICE with a Pioneer Head Unit, Sony Amp, and JBL speakers.

IMO the main suspects seem to be either the amp or HU. If the remote connection on either on them is not done properly, they may not switch-off completely even once you switch-off the car. This may be resulting in the battery drain. I suggest you do a proper isolation test to find out the culprit:
1. Disconnect both the HU and Amp and check if the battery drain persists.
If it does, then the issue lies elsewhere; if it doesn't:
2. Get the connections to the HU & Amp - and re-connect only the HU and check how it goes for a few days.
If the issue returns, it is the HU, if it doesn't, then your amp is the culprit - but I'd suggest you still connect it post the wiring check and confirm.

Hope this helps.

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by sachinkudva

All,

I am facing a horrible battery drain issue since a yr now. Hope to get some help here.

You need to do an amp draw test.

Connect your multimeter between one battery lead and the battery and measure amp draw with everything shut off, since you're facing draw you'll get a value, now start pulling the fuses one by one until your reading drops.

Once you figure out what's causing the draw, inspect wiring and the concerned hardware.

Done.

[NPV]

A weird ignition problem in the 2 year old Wagon R with stock battery in the last couple of weeks:

Sequence 1:Gear lever at neutral, clutch depressed, key is turned and for a couple of seconds the battery sounds like it's weak so there's just that reluctance to start the engine and then it cranks and all is well.

Sequence 2:When I try a slightly different sequence (Gear lever at neutral, key is turned without depressing clutch) - the car starts normally with the first crank, this time the battery seems perfect and no reluctance or symptom of battery being weak.

I have tried these a few times in the last few days and the pattern is still there. After a successful start with sequence 1, I did not switch off the engine and immediately try sequence 2.
Sequence 2 was tried after a few minutes of driving and switching off the engine for a few minutes.

What could be wrong ?

[longhorn]

Originally Posted by NPV

A weird ignition problem in the 2 year old Wagon R with stock battery in the last couple of weeks:

What could be wrong ?

Please check the battery. If running is low, the battery might not be having sufficient charge.