$3500 onboard Charging Module?!

1515 Views 35 Replies 14 Participants Last post by ekvals, 7 d ago

Aceonweb

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

Hello all,
First time here, didn't really need to look in the past. Own a 2014 Fiat 500e since 2018 and have had 5 flawless years of ownership. Changed a couple tires a 12v battery, other than that... great car.

60k miles, just recently stopped taking a charge, called a bunch of repair shops in the area (San Fernando Valley) and none of them work on Electric cars, so had to have it towed to the dealer.

They told me it is the onboard charging module, part alone is $3k, plus another $500 to install. I'm a bit torn, we love the car, but that could be a deposit on something less than 9 years old.

Do they have refurbished units, or does anyone know a "mom and pop" shop that could do this repair for 1/3 the price? THank you all!

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21 - 36 of 36 Posts

Electric Tire Shredder

· #21 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

THANKS @munsterwrench !!

For those of you who don't already know, @munsterwrench is the one who got the @consciouspilot 500e running with a used PIM, after one of the many unfortunately misinformed dealership technicians said it absolutely would not work under any circumstances.

The OBC seems even less closely paired to the motor & battery, than the PIM, so if a used PIM works, a used charger seems even more likely to work.

Just before @fast_dave beat me to it I was about to mention that there does seem to be at least one 500e component that can't be swapped from a used car: The BCM

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Electric Tire Shredder

· #22 · 1 mo ago

I believe a used BCM "won't" work because it's permanently paired with the key(s).

If that's the only reason, I wonder if a used one would work if you had a copy of the original key that went with it

.

Reactions: 1

munsterwrench

· #23 · 1 mo ago

fast_dave said:
ICE guy here totally pulling for you guys, and hope that you can bring this car back to life for the OP!

With that said, the only thing I'd wonder out loud about is the following; Is the OBCM assembly "VIN Specific/Matched" such as is the BCM (Body Control Module) is in a Fiat 500 ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) model?

To clarify - if you swap a used OBCM into a different VIN Numbered 500 Electric, will there be an incompatibility issue that even a Proxy Alignment with MES (MultiECUScan) or AlfaOBD can't fix?

Hope that helps and good luck!

Don't think that would be an issue, dealer claims the PIM wouldn't work unless new , I installed a used one worked perfectly fine, didn't even need proxy alignment. Cleared all codes and did proxy alignment . Wife's been driving it for a few months now, trouble free.

Reactions: 3

fast_dave

· #24 · 1 mo ago

RE: BCM issues on a 500 ICE

I know from the various500 forums that the 500 ICE guys that are good with a wrench and had access to another car found the following linked refurbish service a lifesaver VS going to the dealership and coughing up a few thousand $$$$ for a new BCM

Perhaps you want to bookmark it as well?

Link: 2012-2017 FIAT 500 Fuse Box BCM Body Control Module Mail-in Repair Service

Reactions: 1

Iceman

· #25 · 1 mo ago

I‘d buy a used one after exhausting all the red herrings described here. I’m sort of an over confident home wrencher with a long list of success stories that bolster my position, and I realize that most owners of this type of car are not exactly as handy in those regards, but major component swapping is pretty dang easy and when you get a used part guarantee it’s sort of risk free imo. Start swapping things until it runs again.

Reactions: 1

Electric Tire Shredder

· #26 · 1 mo ago

Ya, and:

If you ask around you can often find an independent shop or at least a good backyard mechanic willing to swap things for a reasonable fee.
In this case it seems to be only one part to swap, with instructions in the 2nd link of post #5 above.

But first try to ensure you're not wasting money/time: Run through the 4 steps of post #15 & the 7 steps in post #16.

I'd also check OBD for an error code that won't stay cleared, indicating an OBCM fault: Even the free Alfa OBD app has error code descriptions.

Electric Tire Shredder

· #27 · 1 mo ago (Edited)

THANK YOU @fast_dave !!! That's one more thing we don't need a stealership for....:

fast_dave said:
2012-2017 FIAT 500 Fuse Box BCM Body Control Module Mail-in Repair Service

@Aceonweb might want to ask if they can repair an OBCM, like @element22rider suggested. If they decline, maybe offer to give it to them anyway, so they can at least open it up & maybe figure it out, if not for you, then at least for the rest of us.

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fiatatat

· #28 · 1 mo ago

I think it is about time we need to catalog the shops or service providers who do the electronics or component repairs. It's a win-win.
Literally every HV / electronic component in the 500e can and should be repaired with enough skill. The biggest issue is the connection to a person or shop who could actually do it.

Reactions: 1

munsterwrench

· #29 · 1 mo ago

Aceonweb said:
Yeah, right now I'm debating.... OK, I spend $3600 to fix at the dealer, that could either be a down payment on a new car, or if I get another year out of the car, that would be like a $300/month lease, which is not too bad.

But What if I put $3600 into it, then in 6 months I have to put another $2000 in to it... then I'm just throwing money into a fire.

Also, I'm sure its not worth much without a functioning OBC, so I can probably sell it for $1000 as is, or spend $3600 then be able to sell it for $6k?

Ugh.

by the way I have used obcm in my garage, came as a package deal with the PIM.
I can give it to you for a fair price. If you want to go the used route

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Hmbfiat

· #30 · 1 mo ago

Mine was 2900. Installed in Berkeley mckevit fiat. That’s just the price one pays to drive electric. . It is still way cheaper than oil changes would have been at 400-500 a year.
not to mention air filters fuel filter etc.

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Electric Tire Shredder

· #31 · 1 mo ago

Not to mention the fuel itself!

Sorry I got the first digit off by 1 (it was $2900, not $1900).

Hmbfiat

· #32 · 1 mo ago

I think you might be right ETS.
1900. I will check when car gets home.
Either way much cheaper than gas. Plus no brakes to replace

Reactions: 1

fiatatat

· #33 · 1 mo ago

ICE repairs ain't cheaper, when you think of that. A while ago I had to pay over 2000 bucks to replace a corroded A/C pipe on a Dodge frigging minivan. Big brains at Stellantis only sell this as a part of a huge piping module (like, bumper to bumper). Same minivan had to have all of the exhaust replaced (another $1000 exercise). Friends of mine paid over 4000 for a Highlander Hybrid engine repair. A plain old head gasket job could be $2000, no problem.

Not trying to say the 500e part prices make any sense, but even with them being expensive, we're still staying ahead.

Reactions: 1

Brucutus

· #34 · 1 mo ago

I believe I have a functional OBC from my wrecked 2013 500e if you want to check the part #'s first. I'd be willing to sell for $300 (what I paid insurance to buy the car back). Have to ship from MA though.

Reactions: 1

Electric Tire Shredder

· #35 · 21 d ago

fiatatat said:
I think it is about time we need to catalog the shops or service providers

Thanks for motivating me @fiatatat !

I had saved a few service provider names, so I started a list, in posts 1 & 2 here:

Repair Options if Easy DIY Fails

I also started a list of links to reference threads like that one & "how to fix". I've asked admin. to make it sticky:

500e HOW TO: Buy, Set Up, Charge, Drive, & Fix...

Reactions: 1

ekvals

· #36 · 7 d ago

Brucutus said:
I believe I have a functional OBC from my wrecked 2013 500e if you want to check the part #'s first. I'd be willing to sell for $300 (what I paid insurance to buy the car back). Have to ship from MA though.

Brucutus said:
I believe I have a functional OBC from my wrecked 2013 500e if you want to check the part #'s first. I'd be willing to sell for $300 (what I paid insurance to buy the car back). Have to ship from MA though.

Hi Brucutus, do you still have this? Please see my DM.

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