118
The total intake of these systems
(factory and after-market) must be less
than 0,6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as
shown in the following table:
Battery Maximum permissiblestand-by intake
50Ah 30 mA
Furthermore, remember that high in-
take electric devices (such as baby bot-
tle warmer, vacuum cleaners, cellular
phones, mini-fridges, etc.) powered
when the engine is off can deploy the
battery.
IMPORTANTIf you need to fit ad-
ditional systems in the car, remember
that improper wiring connections, in
particular if they affect safety devices,
are dangerous.
USEFUL ADVICE
FOR LENGTHENING
THE LIFE
OF YOUR BATTERY
When you park the car, ensure the
doors, boot and bonnet are closed
properly. The courtesy light must be
off.
Do not keep accessories (e.g. sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched on
for a long time when the engine is not
running.
IMPORTANTA battery which is
kept at a charge of less than 50% for
any length of time will be damaged by
sulphation leading to a reduction in
cranking power and a higher risk of
the battery electrolyte freezing (this
may even occur at - 10°C).
If the car is inactive for a long peri-
od of time, refer to “Long inactivity of
the car”, in the “Correct use of the
car” chapter.If you want to add electrical acces-
sories after buying the car which need
permanent electric supply(alarm,
free hand phone kit, radio navigator
with satellite antitheft system etc.) vis-
it a
Fiat Dealership. They can sug-
gest the most suitable accessories to
get and check whether the electric
system can support the required load
or whether a larger capacity battery
is required.
These devices will, in fact, run off the
battery even when the key is not in-
serted (car parked, engine stopped)
and can destroy the battery.
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IMPORTANT If the sound system
or car alarm systems are not installed
correctly, they can interfere with the
working of the electronic control
units.
Modifications or repairs
to the electrical system
carried out incorrectly
and without bearing the features
of the system in mind can cause
malfunctions with the risk of fire.
120
ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITS
When the car is being used normal-
ly, special measures are not necessary.
The following instructions must be
followed very carefully however, if you
work on the electrical system or
where emergency starting is neces-
sary:
– Never disconnect the battery from
the electrical system while the engine
is running.
– Disconnect the battery from the
electrical system if you are recharg-
ing it. Modern battery chargers can
discharge voltage up to 20 V.
– Never perform emergency star-
tups with a battery charger. Always
use an auxiliary battery (see “Startup
with auxiliary battery” in “In an emer-
gency” chapter).– Be particularly careful when con-
necting the battery to the electrical
system. Make sure that the polarity is
correct and the connection is efficient.
After reconnecting the battery, the in-
jection/ignition control unit will need
to readapt its internal parameters.
Therefore, the car’s performance may
change slightly during the first few kilo-
meters.
– Do not connect or disconnect the
terminals of the electronic units while
the ignition key is at
MAR.
– Do not check polarity through
sparking.
– Disconnect the electronic units if
you are electrically welding the car
body. Remove the units if tempera-
tures exceed 80°C (special operations
on the bodywork etc.).
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