Disconnect and Reconnect the Battery

Disconnecting the 12 V battery on your Abarth 595 / 695 (2008–2022) — the Type 312, based on the Fiat 500 — is a straightforward driveway job. You’ll need it for battery renewal, before winter storage, when working near the airbags or seat-belt pretensioners, or to recover the electrics after a flat. The 312 is a compact car but it still runs plenty of electronics: the infotainment and Uconnect head unit, the body computer, and the engine and gearbox control units all hold learned data and presets that will drop when you cut the power. That’s normal. Many of these cars also use a coded radio, so have your radio security code to hand before you start. Take the terminals off in the right order and refit them the same way, and the car relearns cleanly, usually within a short drive.

Where the 12 V Battery Is

The 12 V battery sits in the engine compartment, in the usual front corner under a cover. Open the bonnet, prop it securely, and lift the cover to reach the two terminals. The negative (−) post carries the earth strap to the body and usually wears a black cap; the positive (+) post is capped red and feeds the main harness. Identify both before you loosen anything — getting the order right is what keeps the job safe and simple.

First, a Few Checks

• Switch the ignition fully off and remove the key from the car so the electrics settle.
• Turn off the lights, climate fan, heated seats and stereo so nothing is drawing current.
• Note your radio security code and station presets — a coded head unit will ask for the code once power returns.
• Give the car a couple of minutes with everything off so the control modules power down before you pull a terminal.
• Have the correct spanner, gloves and eye protection ready, and never let a spanner bridge the two posts.

Disconnecting

1. Confirm the ignition is off and the key is out.
2. Loosen the clamp on the negative (−) terminal first, lift the lead clear and tuck it aside so it can’t spring back onto the post.
3. Now loosen and remove the positive (+) terminal.
4. If you’re working near the airbags or pretensioners, wait a few minutes after disconnecting before you begin, so stored charge in the restraint circuit has bled away.

Reconnecting

1. Fit the positive (+) terminal first and nip the clamp up snug.
2. Fit the negative (−) terminal last and tighten it.
3. Check both clamps are firm — a loose earth is the usual cause of odd faults afterwards — then refit the cover.

What You’ll Need to Reset Afterwards

With power restored, a few learned settings and presets need to come back:

• Clock and radio — re-enter the time, your station presets, and the radio security code if the head unit asks for it.
• Electric sunroof (if fitted) — it relearns its travel; if it won’t fully open or close, operate it to the end stops and hold briefly to re-initialise.
• Power windows — if one-touch is lost, hold the switch fully up until the glass tops out and hold a moment, then fully down and hold, to relearn the limits.
• Engine idle and stop-start — on cars with stop-start the system may sit out for a short while after a battery event until the battery-management side settles; normal idle and stop-start return after some driving.

If a Warning Light Stays On or the Car Feels Off

• Recheck that both clamps are clean and tight, especially the negative earth.
• Drive a few gentle miles so the idle, stop-start and any assist relearns can complete.
• Repeat the window and sunroof re-initialise if either didn’t take the first time.
• Rule out a genuinely flat or aged battery — a weak one throws odd faults and keeps stop-start disabled.
• Read any stored code and look it up on autodtcs.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the battery on an Abarth 595?

In the engine compartment, in the usual front corner under a cover. Open the bonnet and lift the cover to reach the red-capped positive post and the black negative post.

Which terminal do I disconnect first?

The negative (−) terminal comes off first and goes back on last; the positive (+) goes on first when reconnecting. This order avoids a short if a spanner touches bodywork.

Do I need to recode anything?

You’ll need to re-enter the clock and radio presets, and if the head unit is coded it will ask for the radio security code. A like-for-like battery of the correct type generally needs no other coding; on stop-start cars fit the correct AGM or EFB type.

Does a new battery need coding on the Abarth?

A like-for-like replacement of the right size and type usually needs no coding. The main thing is to match the original specification — a stop-start car must have the AGM or EFB battery it was built with.

Will disconnecting the battery clear fault codes or the service light?

It may clear some temporary codes, but it isn’t a proper service reset and won’t cure a real fault — the code returns if the cause remains. Diagnose the underlying issue instead.

Can I jump-start it instead of disconnecting?

Yes — if you only need to recover a flat, a jump-start keeps your settings and radio code intact. Disconnect only when renewing the battery or working near the airbags and electrics.

If a warning light stays on after reconnecting, read the stored code and look it up on autodtcs.com.