An update on upgrading the battery on my Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce. I fitted a 95ah agm battery as an improvement on the original smaller capacity battery.
A few things: fully charge the battery while disconnected! The Alfa has an IBS which stands for Intelligent Battery Sensor that regulates the battery and charging strategy depending on usage. If we assume your IBS is not faulty, which is something to rule out, take note that it takes at least a few start/sto cycles and some miles of driving for the IBS to calibrate and apply charging strategies accordingly. Normal voltage for a healthy battery at idle should be just around 12.9 to 13.2, when charging by the alternator goes up to 14.5 approximately. In your case I suspect it’s either your battery was not fully charged prior to installing it or it might be a (rare) case of faulty IBS. Also worth checking with the dealer depending what year model your Alfa is, if there is a software update for this from the factory (there has been one for the early models) P.S: I also swapped mine for a better and bigger 95ah battery but never had issues with the oem to be honest. For peace of mind I have also installed a Bluetooth battery monitor anyway and has been faultless and everything works. P.S2: after swapping battery it’s normal to get all sorts of errors including CEL which all clear soon after
Thanks for the comment, and all of the information. I did know that there was an on demand alternator control (IBS), but I haven’t looked into possibility that it is faulty. I will disconnect the battery then fully charge it, rather than charging it while connected to the car to see if that helps. I will also see what software the car is running. Thanks again for the comment.
I hope you get it sorted, we really need a solid solution to this and the fact Alfa Romeo is not helping is ridiculous. They said to me you don't drive the car enough. (I don't want to drive the car a whole heap as I don't need to) so it doesn't charge. No other car I have every driven has behaved like this 😢 The Alfa Romeo WhatsApp group could help.
Thanks for the comment, it is much appreciated. My issue started just as I was at the start of a 100 mile drive, so I thought by the time I get there it will be fully charged. Wrong!
In my case was solved by changing the battery of the key. But my main problem is that my Giulia is leaking fuel when the ambient temperature increases a lot 😂
I’ve had the exact same issues. So I replaced my battery for a 95ah AGM last week. I’m crossing my fingers now. Although I fully charged the battery before fitting it, start/stop is still unavailable.
I've had battery issues with my Stelvio and after a replacement standard non AGM from the dealer have got a bit OCD about it as I'm aware of the issues we're all facing here.. I got one of those bluetooth battery monitors fitted which enables you to remote view the battery voltage running or after shutdown.. It's a good gadget as it has a history function built in and you can see the batteries performance over time. I haven't had the lights your getting but when the battery gets low the stop start just doesn't work.. When the battery was fully charged and new, whilst driving the IBS would only allow the alternator to charge the battery when I applied the brakes.. I think this IBS is the source of a lot of problems.. I was told it was something to do with marginal gains on the emissions for that behaviour.. the battery is about two and half years old now and starting to get weaker.. when I drive now the IBS is allowing the 14.45 charge to the battery almost constantly.. after long drives in the daylight the resting voltage is never any higher than 12.67v .. One thing I did do last week was clean the battery terminals and applied battery grease and clamps as there was some corrosion there.. rationale being one more potential issue removed.. Incidentally, a dealer in the US who has videos on YT recommended doing it as the new cars being delivered had coroded terminals after the months on sea in shipping.. anyway I think Nikos comments are on point as well.. just chucking my twopenneth in.. hope all goes well.. PS I also keep a jump pack in the car as well...
Thanks for the in depth comment. I think I should look into the remote battery monitor. I did clean the battery terminals, and also ordered some dielectric grease, but haven’t yet applied it.
A few things: fully charge the battery while disconnected! The Alfa has an IBS which stands for Intelligent Battery Sensor that regulates the battery and charging strategy depending on usage.
If we assume your IBS is not faulty, which is something to rule out, take note that it takes at least a few start/sto cycles and some miles of driving for the IBS to calibrate and apply charging strategies accordingly. Normal voltage for a healthy battery at idle should be just around 12.9 to 13.2, when charging by the alternator goes up to 14.5 approximately.
In your case I suspect it’s either your battery was not fully charged prior to installing it or it might be a (rare) case of faulty IBS.
Also worth checking with the dealer depending what year model your Alfa is, if there is a software update for this from the factory (there has been one for the early models)
P.S: I also swapped mine for a better and bigger 95ah battery but never had issues with the oem to be honest. For peace of mind I have also installed a Bluetooth battery monitor anyway and has been faultless and everything works.
P.S2: after swapping battery it’s normal to get all sorts of errors including CEL which all clear soon after
Thanks for the comment, and all of the information.
I did know that there was an on demand alternator control (IBS), but I haven’t looked into possibility that it is faulty.
I will disconnect the battery then fully charge it, rather than charging it while connected to the car to see if that helps. I will also see what software the car is running.
Thanks again for the comment.
I have a 2018 and I have no idea how to rid of the audio system unavailable light lol!
I hope you get it sorted, we really need a solid solution to this and the fact Alfa Romeo is not helping is ridiculous. They said to me you don't drive the car enough. (I don't want to drive the car a whole heap as I don't need to) so it doesn't charge. No other car I have every driven has behaved like this 😢
The Alfa Romeo WhatsApp group could help.
Thanks for the comment, it is much appreciated.
My issue started just as I was at the start of a 100 mile drive, so I thought by the time I get there it will be fully charged. Wrong!
In my case was solved by changing the battery of the key. But my main problem is that my Giulia is leaking fuel when the ambient temperature increases a lot 😂
Thanks for the comment.
Need a class action suite started for ALL these Alfas, mine included.
The battery issues have been fine so far this winter. The 95ah agm battery upgrade is definitely the way to go.
Sorry to hear you’re having problems.
I’ve had the exact same issues. So I replaced my battery for a 95ah AGM last week. I’m crossing my fingers now.
Although I fully charged the battery before fitting it, start/stop is still unavailable.
I hope with a few charging cycles the start/stop will start working.
I've had battery issues with my Stelvio and after a replacement standard non AGM from the dealer have got a bit OCD about it as I'm aware of the issues we're all facing here.. I got one of those bluetooth battery monitors fitted which enables you to remote view the battery voltage running or after shutdown.. It's a good gadget as it has a history function built in and you can see the batteries performance over time. I haven't had the lights your getting but when the battery gets low the stop start just doesn't work.. When the battery was fully charged and new, whilst driving the IBS would only allow the alternator to charge the battery when I applied the brakes.. I think this IBS is the source of a lot of problems.. I was told it was something to do with marginal gains on the emissions for that behaviour.. the battery is about two and half years old now and starting to get weaker.. when I drive now the IBS is allowing the 14.45 charge to the battery almost constantly.. after long drives in the daylight the resting voltage is never any higher than 12.67v .. One thing I did do last week was clean the battery terminals and applied battery grease and clamps as there was some corrosion there.. rationale being one more potential issue removed.. Incidentally, a dealer in the US who has videos on YT recommended doing it as the new cars being delivered had coroded terminals after the months on sea in shipping.. anyway I think Nikos comments are on point as well.. just chucking my twopenneth in.. hope all goes well.. PS I also keep a jump pack in the car as well...
Thanks for the in depth comment. I think I should look into the remote battery monitor. I did clean the battery terminals, and also ordered some dielectric grease, but haven’t yet applied it.
Thanks, I will get one ordered.
Agm 95 is the only choice for giulia , otherwise it will have a lot of troubles
It seems to have solved my problems!
Can you put link to the battery