[dc]

Just started my Brera and got a warning to get the engine checked along with a message saying something about the VDC and that the hill holder wasn't working. The car took a couple of goes to start which is unusual.

Drives as normal.

Any idea what the problem could be?

 

[lovelyred159]

Battery? Always first point of checking when the dash lights up!

 

[Old Engineer]

+1 for battery. When the car first starts it checks all the systems so a series of fails indicates each circuit is down. So the only common factor is the delivered volts.

 

[dc]

Now everything has gone away. What do I need to check on the battery? The connections or get my garage to check the output?

 

[Verbout]

Now everything has gone away. What do I need to check on the battery? The connections or get my garage to check the output?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COJr7OB23Hw

 

[Old Engineer]

It could have just been the bad start that reduced the voltage.

 

[dc]

I'll dig out my multimeter and give it a go.

Regarding the longer than usual start, it was only a few seconds on the first attempt and the engine turned over normally..

 

[SpiderSaint]

it only needs the battery to be down a little bit for it to cause such things.
Sometimes a reboot is worth trying, disconnect battery for 20 minutes then do all the resets.

 

[dc]

Still looking for my multimeter. I have checked the connections and they are clean and tight. Haven't had a reoccurrence of the proble since Sunday..

 

[dc]

Managed to get fold of a multimeter and the readings were 13v with the engine off, 14v when it was on and around 12v while it was starting. They seem to be pretty healthy figures so I guess the battery is fine.

I haven't had any warning signs at all since they first appeared 3 days ago.

 

[Old Engineer]

Ok. But you need to be a little more accurate on the measurements. Also you need the battery to have settled which you can achieve by turning on the headlights for 2 minutes followed by 5 minutes of inactivity. Then 12.66v is fully charged but 12.43 is only 75%. You need 12.43 to carry out any other tests. Then an alternator check can be done. Start the engine and check that the new voltage is 1.5 to 2.0 above the settled state. If it's more than 3.0 (15.50v) suspect the battery is not accepting a proper charge. Less than 1.5 suspect the alternator. By the way, a straight 12.00v is only at 20% of capacity.

 

[dc]

After a couple of weeks with no problems my car has started playing up again. Twice now the engine has just cut out when I've stopped or slowed on the downward part of the same hill. It's started again after a few goes but there is obviously something wrong. Also, I remember now the first time the problem arose I was parked on a hill pointing downwards. Sounds likely that the problem is caused by the incline. The car is booked into a garage on Monday to get it diagnosed but any ideas greatly appreciated...

 

[dc]

Just had a diagnostic check carried out and it seems a faulty crankcase sensor is the cause. Should be sorted Monday...

 

[dc]

And not a moment too soon. The car is shutting down all the time now. Conked out on a busy roundabout in Watford last night. Very embarrassing..

 

[dc]

Had the crank shaft sensor replaced at ProAlfa in Watford today. Car is now running as it should. Next stop, getting the Wizard back sections fitted...