Vehicle battery Fiat Ducato

[Paskins]

I have a 2020 Ducato (Rapido A class body), and I think the vehicle battery is on the blink. Can I just swap the battery for a new one, or will this mess up the vehicle electrics / inboard computer?
I have watched a Utube video of someone replacing a battery - all looked the same as my setup, with no apparent knock on problems, but I do want to be sure!

 

[Bessy765]

Ideally wait inside the vehicle lock it wait 10 mins start by undoing earth lead first.

 

[Jev88]

To be extra sure to avoid problems I have seen jump leads from a donor battery to the jump points under bonnet to keep continuity whilst switching main battery.

 

[the1andonly]

from my guide on fiat forum

o 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.

 

[pappajohn]

Add to above....... Remember, the battery leads will still be live once disconnected if using jump leads.
Best to slip a small plastic bag over the positive clamp to prevent accidental contact with earth.

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[WESTY66]

from my guide on fiat forum

o 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.

Blummin hell I Never did any of that, I just started with negative then took positives stuff off, old battery out, new battery in, positives stuff on first then negative, then started the thing up!! If I had read all that first I’d have booked it into the dealers

 

[the1andonly]

Add to above....... Remember, the battery leads will still be live once disconnected if using jump leads.
Best to slip a small plastic bag over the positive clamp to prevent accidental contact with earth.

Thanks just added warning to original

 

[Peavy]

Blummin hell I Never did any of that, I just started with negative then took positives stuff off, old battery out, new battery in, positives stuff on first then negative, then started the thing up!! If I had read all that first I’d have booked it into the dealers
View attachment 988073

I'm impressed too I see it's not going to be as simple as changing it in the old Fiat Panda...

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Blummin hell I Never did any of that, I just started with negative then took positives stuff off, old battery out, new battery in, positives stuff on first then negative, then started the thing up!! If I had read all that first I’d have booked it into the dealers
View attachment 988073

Well that would certainly want to be a maintenance free battery !!
Mike.

 

[cyberyacht]

I hook up a second battery. The only thing to worry about then is shorting loose leads.

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[Lenny HB]

Blummin hell I Never did any of that, I just started with negative then took positives stuff off, old battery out, new battery in, positives stuff on first then negative, then started the thing up!! If I had read all that first I’d have booked it into the dealers
View attachment 988073

Blimey you seem to have a hell of a lot of crap in there.

 

[WESTY66]

Blimey you seem to have a hell of a lot of crap in there.

Really? I thought it was just moho crap I just worked my way through it and when I got it all connected again I just fired it up, no waiting, no putting lights on, it’s fine

 

[Lenny HB]

Really? I thought it was just moho crap I just worked my way through it and when I got it all connected again I just fired it up, no waiting, no putting lights on, it’s fine

What are the 2 ECS boxes they are not standard, then there is a green midi fuse totally exposed & two other fuses not secured.

 

[WESTY66]

What are the 2 ECS boxes they are not standard, then there is a green midi fuse totally exposed & two other fuses not secured.

Looks like I’d better go in and do a bit of work, actually I think that is the pic I took before I put on the new battery! I’ve probably put stuff back as it should be and secured as I seem to remember using few cable ties

The two ECS box‘s are for special carthagos……..

Yours won’t have them

 

[Lenny HB]

Looks like I’d better go in and do a bit of work, actually I think that is the pic I took before I put on the new battery! I’ve probably put stuff back as it should be and secured as I seem to remember using few cable ties

The two ECS box‘s are for special carthagos……..

Yours won’t have them

Looks like a bonfire under your feet waiting to happen.

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[the1andonly]

I hook up a second battery. The only thing to worry about then is shorting loose leads.

Well that would certainly want to be a maintenance free battery !!
Mike.

Those are 2 important points. Having to remove the clamp and positive tray to check electrolyte was a real pain.