[BeDustin]

Hey all,

New to the group and sure this has been asked before, but was not able to find anything. My dealer is suggesting I change the battery in my 2013 500e as it appears to be the original somehow. I am the 3rd owner. They are asking for $200 for the battery and another $350 for reprogramming the car for the new battery. Are they working me on this or what? I have never heard of such a thing, but new to E cars. Any help would be great for those that are more aware of the do's and don'ts on these than I am.

Much appreciated
Be

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY WORKING YOU!

DRIVE AWAY & NEVER GO BACK!

And tell us who they are so we can all avoid them!

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

1. There's no way a 2013 battery would still be good in ANY car, & every mechanic knows that.
2. The 500e battery is identical to the gas model, is a standard size used in many other cars, & can be bought at ANY car parts store for as low as $120 at Autozone last time I checked.
3. Replacement takes 5 minutes with the right tool: Ratchet, 10" extension, & socket.
4. It requires absolutely NO "reprogramming". I've disconnected mine 30 times & it worked fine when I reconnected it.

 

[BeDustin]

I thought as much! This is the Fiat/Maserati dealership in Kirkland, Wa. I also take it that I can find a replacement battery for less than $200 at Costco or such? I will need them to do some work to the car as I am not able to find anyone else locally that works on E cars. Here is a list of the cost they laid out.

Replacement antenna base $196
Heater Grid/no hot air or defrost $2800 parts/labor
Coolant flush/replace $253
Brake fluid flush/replace $255

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

I also take it that I can find a replacement battery for less than $200 at Costco or such?

The 500e battery is identical to the gas model, is a standard size used in many other cars, & can be bought at ANY car parts store for as low as $120 at Autozone last time I checked.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Coolant flush is required every TEN years.

Brake flush is required IF it shows bad on your own $10 brake fluid tester (click here), since you can't trust the dealer.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

If you haven't already, get the free AlfaOBD app & a Konnwei KW902 for $17 on eBay.

That way you can check & clear any false alarms that the 500e is prone to. Sometimes they prevent proper function.

I've never heard of one causing heater failure but there's a first time for everything.

Also make sure to leave the humidity sensor disconnected since it can cause malfunctions which prevent even driving.

 

[BeDustin]

The car is 10 yrs old now and I don't have any record of the coolant being done in the past; so gonna just deal with that. I'll review the break fluid and thanks for the part/tester link. Never knew they made such a thing. Too bad we don't have people that are honest about such things any longer..

 

[BeDustin]

If you haven't already, get the free AlfaOBD app & a Konnwei KW902 for $17 on eBay.

That way you can check & clear any false alarms that the 500e is prone to. Sometimes they prevent proper function.

I've never heard of one causing heater failure but there's a first time for everything.

Also make sure to leave the humidity sensor disconnected since it can cause malfunctions which prevent even driving.

Where's that located on the car?

 

[Kiesling]

Humidity sensor is to the right of the rearview mirror under a plastic cover.

The heater not working could be a bad fuse. It is just a resistive heating element, so if the fuse is bad it won't work.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

The car is 10 yrs old now

Not for a few more months, right? Check the build date by the left door latch.

 

[BeDustin]

Humidity sensor is to the right of the rearview mirror under a plastic cover.

The heater not working could be a bad fuse. It is just a resistive heating element, so if the fuse is bad it won't work.

Thanks I'll check that since the battery thing.. just never know

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

New fuse is likely $500 at that dealership.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Before replacing the 12V battery, get a Bluetooth alarm like a $35 BM2 or BM6 to check it out.

You need one anyway since the car's own alarm nearly never activates until AFTER the car won't start .

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Sensor instructions here:

Post-Purchase Preparation. Update: M8x1.25 wingnut for...

Edited 1/7/23 If you purchase any 500e these 5 simple actions will keep it running: Check the VIN's recalls/"campaigns" fixed free at any FCA dealer, to reduce the chance of permanent drive battery damage. Click here or go to Mopar.com & note that "campaigns" like the critical U69 are now on...

www.fiat500owners.com

 

[BeDustin]

New fuse is likely $500 at that dealership.

Good place to find out which fuse it is quickly? Thx

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Paper manual in glovebox or pdf at Mopar.com

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

The heater itself is high voltage so I dont think we can access those fuses, but the cotrols are 12V & there's more than 1 fuse designated for various aspects of HVAC.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

There's 3 fuse boxes. 1 by the driver's left knee, & 2 pretty much on either side of the brake fluid reservoir.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

In slot 5 by your knee the 10A fuse includes "climate" in its description, as do the 5A ones in slots 10 & 13.