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Punto Battery Sensor Fault

My 2001 Fiat Punto diesel has a heavily discharged battery. I get a speedometer error, weak and flickering lights, and an error stored in memory. The battery feels incredibly weak when starting. I've checked and tightened the terminals. Could a defective battery sensor cause this?

A 2001 Fiat Punto diesel exhibited symptoms of a heavily discharged battery, including speedometer errors, weak and flickering lights, and a weak start. Despite checking and tightening the battery terminals, the issue persisted. The battery voltage was low at 12.8V, indicating a potential charging problem. A defective battery sensor was suspected, as it could misreport the battery's condition and lead to undercharging. The problem was confirmed and resolved by replacing the faulty sensor at a repair shop.

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4 comment(s)

Those are troubling symptoms. Weak lights, error codes, and a weak start point to a battery issue. Since you've checked the terminals, have you tested the battery's voltage when the engine is running? It should be around 13.5-14.5V. If it's lower, it suggests a charging problem. Also consider parasitic draw. Does your scanner show specific error codes?

I checked the voltage while running, and it seemed low, around 12.8V. I suspect a charging problem but am unsure how to tackle it. The scanner returns a code related to the battery sensor. Could the sensor be the problem?

12.8V is definitely low. If the scanner points to a battery sensor issue, that is likely the culprit. These sensors often regulate charging. A faulty sensor might misreport the battery's condition, leading to undercharging. Given the complexity and the sensor error, it is difficult to diagnose this remotely. A workshop should be able to confirm this.

I took your advice and booked the car into my local repair shop to check the battery sensor. Turns out you were spot on; it was defective! The final repair bill came to 315€, including a replacement sensor and labor. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!

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FIAT

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PUNTO