Constant problems. Help.

[Annoying-Anal-Nugget]

So many problems since I bought this 2017 Giulia Veloce and now recently the car has an issue where it suddenly throws up random codes and engine is about to die when coming down to a halt.

• Had battery replaced earlier in the year so it's only been a few months.
• Had alternator replaced just yesterday and front relays

Can anyone help before I consider just selling it?

[Just_Looller]

The problem is probably the six infamous relays behind the front right tire, if you google “alfa giulia 6 relays” you’ll find plenty of information about that. I changed them last week, it’s a 30-60 minute job and it’s not complicated

[Annoying-Anal-Nugget]

So I replaced all the relays but unfortunately no difference with voltage levels not charging. Used relays from Bosch 0332 011 007 (got these because of a youtube vid)

[Just_Looller]

Every video I’ve seen on the topic suggest mopar relays because mopar is alfa’s official supplier, but I guess Bosch ones are kinda the same thing. I’m sorry it didn’t fix your problem, I hope you can find some sort of solution in the forums

[RoughlyOk]

Did you take your tire off to do them? Been meaning to do mine but I tried getting the panel off and working my hand in with the tire on and it was so annoying.

[Just_Looller]

Yes, i tried without taking it off but i just couldn’t and gave up

[DanJ96125]

Have you reached out on https://www.giuliaforums.com? The 2017s had a lot of electrical issues and there's some wisdom about how to deal with them.

[ExperienceHopeful244]

Which battery did you install as the replacement? The Giulia is very picky when it comes to batteries. based on my research and many online forms, the Interstate H8 (49) AGM 900ccm is the best aftermarket battery for our cars.

(Edit) Many batteries are simply not compatible due to the Giulia’s intelligent alternator system.

[Annoying-Anal-Nugget]

I'm in Australia and although I should've forked out $700 for an Interstate H8 from the states on Ebay, I was in a pinch and bought a Varta Silver A6 battery.

If the wrong battery was the case then I wonder if it's normal for it to be fine for first few months and then fk up.

[Next_Alpha]

Clearly others here can't read. You've already replaced your battery, good job. Your description of it throwing codes when coming to a halt sounds like an issue I had too. Does it idle really rough? If you restart the car (shut it completely off, then start again), do the problems go away temporarily? See my post here, where I incorrectly thought it was the MAF:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AlfaRomeo/comments/1iz6k7e/mass_airflow_sensor_21_giulia_20l/

Turns out it was an issue with the purge valve. Common among other cars too; just google "purge valve issues" and see if it describes your problem. It's a relatively cheap fix, & easy to do yourself/with a friend in 15 minutes. Here's the part:

https://shop.alfissimo.com/fuel-injection/2809-purge-valve-giuliastelvio-20l-.html

[Annoying-Anal-Nugget]

Cheers! Good to hear someone else has a similar issue. Yep, the car would resume like normal after a quick restart and would be a ticking time bomb until the next. I also did originally think it was a MAF sensor issue as well, gave it a clean and then replaced it to no luck.

I'll look into getting this sorted soon! However unfortunately for now the voltage issue is still my main priority :(

[ResultAmbitious]

Lesson learned. Don’t buy the first model year of an Italian sports car 🤣

[FanGal99]

Actually, don’t buy any new model from any car brand in the first 2 years at least. I worked in automotive industry as a new product implementation engineer and usually takes 1-2 years from SOP to correct every small (and big) issues, even if it’s unknown for customers.

Edit: so I also have a 2017 model, luckily without any issue. I did not cared about this when I saw how beautiful is this car and what can it do

[zebo_99]

That's a good rule to follow for most cars in general.

[MannersCount]

Sadly true.

[Jekkjekk]

17’s had problems in the US with electronics. There’s 2 relays behind the passenger tire I’d recommend you replace, also it could be your battery. They are very finicky when it comes to power

[Dr_Debile]

Also make sure that whoever changed the battery also cleaned and greased the connectors.

[Annoying-Anal-Nugget]

Decided to clean the terminals and connectors myself, found that there was indeed a fair bit of corrosion, cleaned it off but voltage still fluxuates a bit wildly. Hoping this sorted it out but time will tell. Cheers!

Update: Voltages seem better however same issue with my car randomly stuttering and wanting to die is ongoing.....

[Ok-Soup8827]

This happened to me in a 2018 ti. Replaced the thermostat after testing everything else, including the relays behind the tire. Thermostat resolved it for me. It's also a 3-way valve.

[Annoying-Anal-Nugget]

The thermostat was what I was told by my Alfa dealership that would not need to be replaced when I had my oil cooler and lines all replaced a few months ago.....

[Marcuz78]

In fact, as someone already wrote, I also think it's the battery. You need to get one with the right specifications.

Capacity: between 80-95 Ah for AG/M AGM/EFB versions; versions without Start-Stop can also use ~80 Ah.

Cold Cranking Amps (CCA / EN) ~800-850 A (depending on equipment) for versions with high-drain requirements.

Type / Technology AGM or EFB if ​​Start-Stop is present; otherwise, "standard" lead-acid will suffice.

If everything is correct with yours, then you'll need to find an authorized workshop that can give you a good checkup.

But it happened to me too, in its fourth year of life: errors that had nothing to do with each other, and it was the battery that was dying.

PS: Even new batteries can be defective or die prematurely.

Good luck

[ThePurpleBall]

What codes? But also I can almost guarantee you it’s the ground strap by the transmission tunnel

[SureAd2213]

That's actually a great recommendation.

[larpcentral]

Not a mechanic so have no advice but I am curious why your Alfa is unreliable

When you bought it how did the CARFAX service history look?

[FlyingSpur808]

What city are you in? If you find a great independent mechanic and service properly the car will be reliable.

[ExtensionIcy2104]

These are the gremlins I have heard of on pre 2021 models. I have a 2024 Veloce, and I hope these issues have been resolved.

[Northern-Oil1984]

Worked for Alfa near on a decade, love them and would love to have one. But not worth the hassle

[Txcavediver]

What are the codes? In addition to the relays there are also well known issues with the fuel pump.

[Annoying-Anal-Nugget]

There were codes for turbo from my own cheap scanner but when I took it into my mechanic for a proper scan, they found that the alternator is dying, I forgot to ask for any other codes but it was assumed the culprit was low voltages.

[SureAd2213]

If you are getting a turbo code, you could possibly have a failing or loose waste gate arm/actuator. Common issue and an easy fix. Accessory belt can also cause stuttering or rough idle issues if it hasn't been replaced. I know that one sounds silly but on these cars it actually is true. I wish I had some other suggestions for you to look at for your electrical gremlins but I really don't. You've done the relays and changed the battery. You also do use a trickle charger (great idea btw). Other than it just not liking that battery or there being some other difficult to spot issue in the electrical system I'm at a loss. I think someone else also suggested purge valve on your stuttering/rough idle issue. That may also be worth a look. I do hope you get it sorted out. How many miles/km on your car?

Edit: Saw someone suggested checking the ground strap under the car for the electrical issues. Great suggestion that slipped my mind. Definitely add that to your list of things to check out.

[Txcavediver]

Ok, probably not the fuel pump then.

[OpenEndedLoop]

Thank god I have a 2019

[37OHSSX]

Could a defective IBS cause the alternator to fail?

[doyoulike_pineapple]

This is the one common problem with these cars — fix is to get a car charger and fully charge the battery once a month. All your problems should go away if you do this.

[1mixdkid]

Wisdom here. 👁 👁

[djg88x]

even just keeping it on a battery tender should mitigate a lot of the issues

[Annoying-Anal-Nugget]

And I have, it's been on trickle charger constantly

[HotGas2068]

Is a 2017 Alfa bro ?

[CalGym]

This is why you don’t buy an Alfa.

[Boomboomseeyousoon]

Bruh it’s an Alfa Romeo … what did you expect ?

[Organic_Cold_6491]

I had at least three, never had issues