[Hankmartin]

For those wondering the lifetime of a 12V battery in an EV, it seems to be considerably shorter than the lifetime of that same 12V battery in an ICE car. I belong to several EV forums for different makes of cars. A failing 12V battery is very common in EV cars 3 years old and older. The hypothesis is that EVs never actually have a high current load (like a starter cranking over an engine), so the plates sulfate and eventually short out. Also I have noticed that the DC to DC converter seems to put a high voltage on the 12V system the entire time the car is on, like around 14.4 - 14.6 Volts, which is overcharging the 12V battery and shortening its life span. Also it appears that the 12V battery in an EV will generally fail with little to no warning. You might get lucky with a replace 12V battery now error message. Whereas with an ICE vehicle, you generally know when the 12V battery is failing, as you notice a slow crank.

After reading another member’s suggestion I purchased a
QUICKLYNKS Auto Battery Monitor BM2 Bluetooth 4.0
12V on Amazon for less than 25$. It monitors the 12v battery and sends alerts if the battery is failing. A great little gadget
for 500e owners! https://www.amazon.com/QUICKLYNKS-B...pZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVhcHBfc2VhcmNoX2F0Zg==

 

[BeDustin]

But I'd be rich if I had bet on every 500e issue being a software glitch, since nearly all of them are.

Many are caused by the humidity sensor, & that list keeps growing, now including shifter failure locking the key in the ignition.

What actually is the job of the humidity sensor?

 

[BeDustin]

FWIW the antenna replacement sounds about right. Ours started leaking so I pulled it and replaced the foam gasket. To buy a new one was about $100, add an hour of labor and that sounds right.
Or you can do like what I did and buy some 1/16” foam and redo the gasket.

Yah, the antenna ended up being closer to $200 for the one I needed. I just couldnt match the part number with others that I found in the $100 area. No worries as I'll install myself and reinforce the seal so it's not an issue again. Tx

 

[BeDustin]

After reading another member’s suggestion I purchased a
QUICKLYNKS Auto Battery Monitor BM2 Bluetooth 4.0
12V on Amazon for less than 25$. It monitors the 12v battery and sends alerts if the battery is failing. A great little gadget
for 500e owners! https://www.amazon.com/QUICKLYNKS-Battery-Monitor-Bluetooth-Device/dp/B01MT4583U/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=PCGRG4H766UH&keywords=bluetooth+battery+monitor&qid=1677713406&sprefix=bluetooth+battery,aps,207&sr=8-1-spons&smid=A2EFSUS6HD0RFV&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSDhPSDg0T0M3QU9EJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDk0NTkzNDg2SFY3TDVQNzVEJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3NDg0MzIxQjYyVFZYMTJEWEhWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVhcHBfc2VhcmNoX2F0Zg==

I find it strange that I cant find a build date on the battery that's in there. Is this normal for the OEM batteries to not be labeled?

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

My OEM 12V also had no installation date, which is usually present for warranty.

What actually is the job of the humidity sensor?

It activates defrost IF you have HVAC in "auto" mode, so that you don't have to tap the 1-touch defrost button.

 

[BeDustin]

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

you have a link to the device you mention for the ODB app since I'm an Apple user? $30 Amazon Android ?

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

This one should work, since it shows Google Play Store right in the pic, & that's what I used to download the app via WiFi, with no cell service on my old phone that was "locked" to Boost Mobile:

$29 Amazon Android

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Heater Grid/no hot air or defrost $2800 parts/labor

Hey @BeDustin

Please help @The OFG. & all future owners with a broken cabin heater*: The car still drives & charges fine, right?

*

...towed to the dealer. The diagnosis Is a bad obcm and a bad cabin heater. $5000

 

[BeDustin]

Hey @BeDustin

Please help @The OFG. & all future owners with a broken cabin heater*: The car still drives & charges fine, right?

*

Yes, everything else if fine with the car. Drives, charges, everything else works. Dealer diag. was a heater grid. Approx $2800 parts/labor to repair. Nothing done as of yet on my end.

 

[BeDustin]

@Electric Tire Shredder I am assuming.. no joke needed! that the BM2 device has a small enough draw to function that it wont cause other issues once installed on the cars 12v?
Also, Is there any active app that works with the Fiat to monitor the drive battery or to prep the car pre driving as some do? Thanks again!

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Correct: BM2 & 6 draw VERY little power from the 12V battery. 1.5 & 2.3mA, respectively, which is about 1/10 of what my 500e draws just parked unplugged.

The app I think you're looking for is My500e.com

 

[BeDustin]

That appears to be a device you install and pay for cellular coverage to access. There's no free connected app for these?

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

Nope.

 

[BeDustin]

Well I'll just plan to continue to jump in and go then. Got the BM2 and the battery checks out at 100% and running over 14v when the cars active. May be the original battery, but it does not need to be replaced for $500 at this time. Glad I opted to wait on that one. Cheap cell phone arrived and just waiting for my plug in ODB to see what else we can find out.

 

[Electric Tire Shredder]

battery checks out at 100% and running over 14v when the cars active. May be the original battery, but it does not need to be replaced

The most important thing to check on the starter battery is the voltage after resting all weekend, before you touch any part of the car, including the key fob or chargecord.

You can also get a pretty good indication after resting all night, or all day like at work or the like.

 

[BeDustin]

Drove it yesterday and parked about 6p after a small trip to the store just down the road. Just walked out and getting 13.0v and it's about 30 deg out. Seems to be chugging along just fine from what I can see.