V60 Long Term Parking - Battery Disconnect

[ali23gray]

Hi All,

Newbie here that just bought a second had 2015 V60 RD....
Family lives abroad and we are back in the UK 5-6 months a year meaning the car will sit for around half the year. In my previous car I used to simply pop the bonnet, disconnect the negative battery terminal, come back months later, reconnect and off I drove...

In the V60, I didn’t bet on the alarm going mental as soon as I disconnected the battery.. I guess I could have left the alarm ringing for days until the alarm support battery drained....it was dark, raining, left it to the last minute and didn’t have time to start pulling fuses,so took pity on the neighbours and have left my car draining the battery until we get home next time at Xmas...

Has anyone any suggestions/way to disable the alarm, to allow me to disconnect the battery for long term secure parking in our garage (no power out there)

thx in advance.

[HDAV]

Check the manual there is a process to follow normally

Depending on where it is parked you could fit a ctek charger
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E5VS5...286758601&th=1

[ali23gray]

Yep, the manual says how to change a battery but unfortunately does not specify disabling the alarm (&/or it’s backup battery) and keeping it disabled.

A charger isn’t really an option. i’d prefer to no have to run cables out of open windows while the house is unoccupied....

I’m guessing the old fuse pulling trick is gonna be the way to go..

[HDAV]

NO outside socket? Do you have a tow bar fitted?

I would consider a charger if leaving battery outside in cold for 3+ months even disconnected it won’t be tip top when you return.

[Tannaton]

I've not known the alarm sound before just because the battery had been disconnected? Had you locked the car first? If the alarm is set then I could understand why it's going off.

I believe (but can't find it) that Volvo guidance is the car should be fine for up to 3 months after which "battery maintenance" would be required.

[ali23gray]

Thanks guys,

No at this stage I left in the driveway (garage is full) and no socket available.

Tried all the options.... if locked.. then the alarm sounds...
If unlocked then of course you can disconnect the battery without alarm but the physical key only locks the passenger door and does not lock all four doors....
maybe the final option is leave it in the garage unlocked.....

ps. I’ve seen no issues leaving the batteries disconnected long term. The previous audi was left for months at a time over multiple years and fired up each and every time after simply disconnecting the negative terminal

[skippyfox]

You can get solar trickle chargers just leave on the dash board and plug into one of the power sockets/cigarette lighter.

[Nutbrook]

I'm pretty sure you can lock the remaining 3 doors manually and use the key for the passenger door only.
The manual shows key slots in the door edges (not the child locks). It's on page 167 of my V60 web manual. Haven't tried it myself but worth investigating.

You can then lock the car without alarm.
If you're disconnecting the neg. terminal why not take the battery off & leave on CTEK charge indoors while you are away?

Hope that helps

Peter

[ali23gray]

Nutbrook.... I think you solved the locking problem. thanks. It’s there in the manual, you’re right.

Skippyfox - your’s seems like the simplest solution for driveway parking.. I never heard of those before. Not sure which rock I’ve been under

In hindsight, leaving this to the last evening, in the dark and the rain wasn’t the smartest move..

thanks all. Great answers and glad to join the forum

[SwissXC90]

Just ensure that the place you connect the solar charger to is live at all times....

On my 2009 XC90 the front console cigar lighter sockets go off with the ignition but the rear socket in the trunk is live at all times

If in doubt, wire in your own solar power charging socket to a permanent power point under the dash, fit a connector, and then plug in the trickle charge to the connector when you need to use it.