Replacing starter battery on a Fiat Ducato 2018 model

[Rotel]

Some advice please, before I replace my starter battery is there anything I need to know relating to fitting before I start, re radio, PSU etc not want to find that items will not will work once the new battery is connected up.

 

[gus-lopez]

you'll need the radio code .no idea what else?

 

[Spriddler]

If unsure I have connected a battery charger's croc clips to the clamps on the wires of the duff battery before removing them which has seemed to maintain enough power when the battery was removed.

 

[Dramfineday]

Taking care regarding the airbag module connections. Also, if not to late, consider viewing a recent Bob Earnshaw youtube video where his garage has suggested that issues with Airbag modules ( low voltage faults) could be being caused by the factory fitted starter battery having too low a crank amperage. He has upgraded his battery and had to fit a new module a few weeks ago.

 

[daveandsan]

If unsure I have connected a battery charger's croc clips to the clamps on the wires of the duff battery before removing them which has seemed to maintain enough power when the battery was removed.

Could you not connect a spare battery or power pack to the jump lead terminals under the bonnet while you change the battery. Just be aware that the battery leads will be live while you are changing the battery.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Spriddler]

Could you not connect a spare battery or power pack to the jump lead terminals under the bonnet while you change the battery. Just be aware that the battery leads will be live while you are changing the battery.

You could. I've also used a spare battery as I have a couple of 'on-their-way-out' ones in my workshop that I keep as a wandering power supply for stuff like my 12v tyre inflator and soldering iron, plus powering my wildlife camera continuously in woodland for at least a month before I recharge it since it's expensive to run the camera using integral but short-lived 8 x AA Duracells that last about 4 or 5 days.

 

[tonyidle]

Operate the split charge relay, change battery, release split charge relay.

 

[tonka]

you'll need the radio code .no idea what else?

It's a rare thing now to find radios with codes.. They seem to have died out
None of my vans have had them in past 15 + years.

There were a right pain...

 

[Speve]

I have just had ours replaced it is a Yuasa HSB020 110a 950a five year guarantee

 

[Spriddler]

Operate the split charge relay, change battery, release split charge relay.

Good idea and fine if you know how to do that.

It's a rare thing now to find radios with codes.. They seem to have died out

I believe they were discontinued when radios were introduced which had removeable front panels.....

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheBig1]

ALWAYS wait after unlocking or switching the engine off for 20 minutes before first disconnecting the negative cable. Modern vehicles are far too clever and don't actually shut down immediately the engine goes off. You have to wait for various modules to be shut down by the ECU and BCU
Most important advice is to take your time. The battery is very heavy and it is easy to damage cables whilst putting the new one in

 

[Lenny HB]

ALWAYS wait after unlocking or switching the engine off for 20 minutes before first disconnecting the negative cable. Modern vehicles are far too clever and don't actually shut down immediately the engine goes off. You have to wait for various modules to be shut down by the ECU and BCU
Most important advice is to take your time. The battery is very heavy and it is easy to damage cables whilst putting the new one in

Good advice, also when reconnecting the new battery leave for 15 to 20 min before turning on the ignition. Then turn on ignition for a couple of mins then turn off and leave for 5min before starting the engine.

 

[scotjimland]

The garage where I bought ia new starter battery fitted it free of charge, they connected a bit of diagnostic kit to the OBD port to maintain settings ..after fitting battery checked all was ok before removing.

I was glad I did, it's a heavy beast, and in an awkward place to lift out ..

I'm past th age of manhandling batteries... let the garage guy take the strain,, and the risk,,

 

[the1andonly]

Starter Battery top up or removal /replacement

To avoid any problems with spiked or corrupted ECUs there are number of precautions to be taken. The SRS ECU (airbag), in particular, seems fairly prone to this and damage is often blamed on incorrect battery disconnection or jump starting...

www.fiatforum.com

This is not a trivial thing to do. As previously stated you can easily bugger up ecus.

To avoid any problems with spiked or corrupted ECUs there are number of precautions to be taken. The SRS ECU (airbag), in particular, seems fairly prone to this and damage is often blamed on incorrect battery disconnection or jump starting procedures.
There are two options The first is the method i use for toping up the Battery with DI water. The second is Based on the official Peugeot Method . Peugeot refer to BSI (Body System Interface) Fiat BCM (Body control module)
If you have MES multiecuscan do a system scan to check for errors.

Physical access
Remove the cab carpet and there is the floor panel with coin turn fixings. A 50p piece is good tool, just half a turn on each.I find this easier to do with the door open, before touching the battery.


Method A
Fully charge a spare Battery.
Open drivers window.
Turn off ignition and remove the key and any diagnostic equipment or equipment being charged.
Open Bonnet and leave it up. prepare the jump start terminals. Using jump start cables Connect the battery to the jump start terminals.
The main battery can now be disconnected. And any items removed to allow access for Electrolyte checks.

Method B
Take all required tools into the cab.
If you have a cab radio that has a secure code have it to hand before you start.
If your alarm has special instruction for resetting either have the instructions or contact the supplier/installer.
If you have solar panels and a regulator such as the Votronic series that chrges the SB, or other facility that has a connection between the leisure and vehicle battery systems, I would recommend covering the panels and disconnecting them from the regulator.

Where the instructions state to wait 3 minutes after closing doors etc, I recommend 10 minutes if the ignition has been on within the previous 10 minutes, to allow the system to go into "sleep" mode.
The BSi must be allowed to go to SLEEP i.e. into "active economy mode". Do not operate any equipment on the vehicle during this time. Remember, even opening the bonnet will wake the BSi on a vehicle fitted with alarm.

If the battery is under the bonnet, open the bonnet first and leave it up.

ALWAYS disconnect any diagnostic equipment and do not operate any other vehicles in the vicinity during the 3 (10) minute waiting period.


Note that this procedure on a Ducato or similar van with the battery inside the cabin, requires you to be inside the van with all the doors shut etc. as per the instructions before disconnecting or reconnecting the battery, so do the preparatory work such as removing the floor covering and battery tray cover first, then get inside the vehicle, shut all the doors etc. and after waiting the requisite time, disconnect the battery. The negative terminal often has a clip type clamp, rather than a bolt. which makes things easier.
Note My Battery has extra fuses and gubbins for towing Electrics.
Now remove the terminal cover at the Positive end.
Remove these two screws and the red plastic retainer.
Now slacken the Positive clamp nut using a 10mm ring spanner and lift the lot clear.

Once the battery has been disconnected, wait at least 5 minutes before reconnecting it.
Again we can now access the electrolyte caps or remove the battery.

For removal
Check if vent pipe fitted and if so disconnect.
Shield the cable clamps to prevent them electrically contacting the battery or any metalwork whilst removing and refitting. Remove the old battery.
If you find it easier you can, of course, open the passenger door to swap the batteries once the cables have been removed, but
ensure you close all the doors again and you're back in the cab before refitting the power cables.
Clean the inside faces of the battery clamps.
Clean the terminal posts on the new battery.
Present the new battery.
Be sure to remove both transit plugs
Once the new battery is in, ensure the doors are still closed, refit the vent pipe and battery cables in reverse order (positive first,
negative last).
Wait at least 10 seconds then switch on the headlight switch before turning on the ignition.
PROCEDURE FOR BATTERY RECONNECTION

Unless otherwise instructed by Peugeot or Product Service, you must always carry out the following procedure, often referred to as a "soft re-boot", to minimize the possibility of the BSI BCU corrupting its own software when reconnecting the vehicles battery supply.

Ensure the procedure for battery disconnection has been adhered to and importantly all BSI functions were switched off with the driver’s window left down.

1 Close all doors
2 Remove ignition key if left in ignition
3 Reconnect battery. DO NOT open any doors
4 Wait 10 seconds
5 Switch on headlights
6 Switch on ignition then start the vehicle and check system functions

If you have multiecuscan do a system scan to check for errors.

 

[Guigsy]

I saw a YouTube video where the garage connected a brick sized jump box to the jump points on the car (not the battery terminals) to keep the ECU happy while there was no battery.

But yes, be careful with the positive terminal when it's flopping around!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[TheBig1]

I saw a YouTube video where the garage connected a brick sized jump box to the jump points on the car (not the battery terminals) to keep the ECU happy while there was no battery.

But yes, be careful with the positive terminal when it's flopping around!

I generally pop a rubber glove over the positive fuseboard as I take it off the battery

 

[TheBig1]

I know it's not fair to all, but I regularly see people post that they went to halfords and had a new battery fitted as it is beyond them. The problem is that the majority of yoofs that they employ to do that battery change have less than zero idea of what they are doing and the potential outcomes of doing it wrong. I have regularly sat in my van waiting for my mrs in a nearby shop and watched the halfords clowns change batteries on customer vehicles. You would cringe too if you saw what they were doing wrong. Everything from denting bodywork, through to shorting out the leads causing harmful sparks and voltage spikes

When things go wrong, 2 or 3 of them will congregate round the vehicle pointing and making suggestions till they work out what happened

 

[Rotel]

Huge thank for the advice, update, We travelled up to Keswick yesterday and I contacted Keswick Motor who used to be a Fiat dealership and asked if they could check the battery to see what condition it was in. Very nice guy said no charge and promptly tested the battery, which recommended we change the battery.
Keswick Motors service motorhomes and they had replacement batteries in stock, result new battery fitted with more power', saved me a job, interestingly the previous battery a FIAT was 650 cca the new battery a Yuasa is 850 cca.
Again, thank you all for your advice

 

[the1andonly]

I know it's not fair to all, but I regularly see people post that they went to halfords and had a new battery fitted as it is beyond them. The problem is that the majority of yoofs that they employ to do that battery change have less than zero idea of what they are doing and the potential outcomes of doing it wrong. I have regularly sat in my van waiting for my mrs in a nearby shop and watched the halfords clowns change batteries on customer vehicles. You would cringe too if you saw what they were doing wrong. Everything from denting bodywork, through to shorting out the leads causing harmful sparks and voltage spikes

When things go wrong, 2 or 3 of them will congregate round the vehicle pointing and making suggestions till they work out what happened

I once went to halfods for free fitting of an headlight bulb. Two yoofs had a go then eventualy i said let me do it cant wait any longer. Went home dropped the engine tray and took out three bulbs. Initialy i thought the bulb was expensive, but not for 4.