Will flashing odometer + b&m fail drain my battery?

1107 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by tom_kiwi_alfa, 12 d ago

Meeky37

Hi,

Today my odometer started flashing. And my Blue and Me is not working properly.

I have tried disconnecting the negative for a few minutes and that hasn’t made any difference.

I still have power to usb and the aux with my media adapter works.

Besides the point the flashing odometer is REALLY annoying - is this issue as described going to drain my battery? I have work in the morning is the car going to be dead by then? panic

My start/stop hasn’t worked since I got the car. Is the battery just deteriorated and causing problems with blue and me now? Or should I go down the proxy alignment, then b and m refurb route?

I’m sorry if this topic has been widely covered I’m just very stressed about it and my circumstances seem to differ from some others.

Super grateful for anyone who can help 😄

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wbanham

· #2 · 8 mo ago

I think it is very unlikely to affect the battery even though it does have one line direct from the battery, not through ignition. You could always disconnect the negative and reconnect in the morning,

These units go faulty eventually and that's why the odometer is flashing. Depends what you've lost and what you need!

If you want to check your battery condition see below.

1. Engine off.

12.66V . . . . . . . . . . 100%
12.45V . . . . . . . . . . 75%
12.24V . . . . . . . . . . 50%
12.06V . . . . . . . . . . 25%
11.89V . . . . . . . . . . 0%

2. Charging voltage with engine idling should be 13.5V to 14.5V
3. Ensure the engine cranking voltage is between 9.67V and 10.57V.

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Meeky37

Discussion Starter · #3 · 8 mo ago

wbanham said:
I think it is very unlikely to affect the battery even though it does have one line direct from the battery, not through ignition. You could always disconnect the negative and reconnect in the morning,

These units go faulty eventually and that's why the odometer is flashing. Depends what you've lost and what you need!

If you want to check your battery condition see below.

1. Engine off.

12.66V . . . . . . . . . . 100%
12.45V . . . . . . . . . . 75%
12.24V . . . . . . . . . . 50%
12.06V . . . . . . . . . . 25%
11.89V . . . . . . . . . . 0%

2. Charging voltage with engine idling should be 13.5V to 14.5V
3. Ensure the engine cranking voltage is between 9.67V and 10.57V.

Hey.

Thanks for your reply. I assume these are readings I’d need a multimeter for to check?

I’ll keep them in mind and ask my local garage to take a look.

I think with blue and me I’m gonna go down the route potentially of removing the faulty unit and coding it out with software. Since blue and me is mostly pretty useless.

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wbanham

· #4 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

Yes multimeter. Giulietta's can be very sensitive to low battery voltage. If everything else is ok, it is likely the B&M unit.

I would try reseating the connector as well and make sure you leave the battery unconnected for a couple of minutes, electronic devices can hold charge for a while.

If you don't want it , it needs to be unplugged and then a proxy alignment using diagnostic software takes about 10 minutes.

2nd hand replacement units will work apparently but better to get one close to the age of your current one.

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MadMotoUK

· #5 · 8 mo ago

Good voltage doesn't mean a good battery. It needs to be load tested to prove it's state of health.

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wbanham

· #6 · 8 mo ago (Edited)

I think you mean a good voltage doesn't guarantee a good battery. Crank test is good enough for 99% rather than take it to somewhere selling batteries ...

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Meeky37

Discussion Starter · #7 · 8 mo ago

Thank you for your help.

I removed the Blue&Me and then used cables and multi ecu scan to do a proxi alignment.

Installed a popular Bluetooth adapter replacement for Alfa/Fiat from Amazon and it works far better than blue and me ever did with the benefit of music and calls streaming all in one.

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Faust

· #8 · 8 mo ago

Meeky37 said:
Thank you for your help.

I removed the Blue&Me and then used cables and multi ecu scan to do a proxi alignment.

Installed a popular Bluetooth adapter replacement for Alfa/Fiat from Amazon and it works far better than blue and me ever did with the benefit of music and calls streaming all in one.

Would you mind sending me the link to the BT adapter you bought from Amazon please

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Meeky37

Discussion Starter · #9 · 7 mo ago

Faust said:
Would you mind sending me the link to the BT adapter you bought from Amazon please

Bluetooth music hands-free kit suitable for Alfa Romeo: 147 156 159 Mito Giulietta Brera GT Spider - FIAT: 500 Bravo Doblo Ducato Panda Punto Stilo Idea Croma Palio - Lancia: Musa Ypsilon Delta https://amzn.eu/d/3t5FVBF

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tom_kiwi_alfa

· #10 · 13 d ago

Meeky37 said:
Thank you for your help.

I removed the Blue&Me and then used cables and multi ecu scan to do a proxi alignment.

Installed a popular Bluetooth adapter replacement for Alfa/Fiat from Amazon and it works far better than blue and me ever did with the benefit of music and calls streaming all in one.

Hi mate, I've got exactly the same issue with my Alfa Mito. The local Alfa dealer is telling me that a proxy alignment after removing the B&M module won't fix it, and that the odo will keep flashing and battery will drain... seems like you managed to sort it, though? Did the proxy alignment after unplugging the unit go right through, and then stop the odo flashing? Battery drain no longer an issue? Hoping you can confirm for me, as I'll then get an independent euro mechanic to do it rather than going to the dealer. Cheers

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johnnyroper

· #11 · 13 d ago

If it’s B and M causing it then unplugging and proxy alignment will sort it.
I binned the b and m from our mito and done as above, absolutely fine after

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Meeky37

Discussion Starter · #12 · 12 d ago

tom_kiwi_alfa said:
Hi mate, I've got exactly the same issue with my Alfa Mito. The local Alfa dealer is telling me that a proxy alignment after removing the B&M module won't fix it, and that the odo will keep flashing and battery will drain... seems like you managed to sort it, though? Did the proxy alignment after unplugging the unit go right through, and then stop the odo flashing? Battery drain no longer an issue? Hoping you can confirm for me, as I'll then get an independent euro mechanic to do it rather than going to the dealer. Cheers

Yep it sorted it. Removed the very light / cheap feeling B&M unit. It will still flash then until you do a proxy. I went for the option where it doesn’t have blue and me buttons in the multi ecu scan.
Left my car sitting for a week at the airport on holiday and it started fine so I assume the battery isn’t draining?

Later fitted a device from Amazon that is superior because it lets me do my tunes too. Plus I can skip tracks, accept calls using the next and back button on the radio. Had to sacrifice the CD but no bother in 2023.

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tom_kiwi_alfa

· #13 · 12 d ago

Thanks guys, appreciate your responses. I guess I'll ignore the dealer and take it to my indy mechanic next week. Will report back!

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