S40 (New) Electrics : - 3 years of ownership, 2 dead batteries? - Page 2

LizardOfBodom · Mar 13th, 2018, 13:13

Except for obvious faults (battery fault or alternator drain as pointed), maybe something actually happened during your hoidays to drain it? Like for example alarm going off or light in glovebox/footwell?

StatusRed · Mar 13th, 2018, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

Except for obvious faults (battery fault or alternator drain as pointed), maybe something actually happened during your hoidays to drain it? Like for example alarm going off or light in glovebox/footwell?

No lights were on and security didn't email me to say about an alarm going off so I doubt it

theshadow27 · Mar 13th, 2018, 20:12

A dying alternator will eat batteries, even if the voltage tests fine. I went through 3 before replacing the alternator in desperation, has been perfect since. Volvo batteries are best, but if you must go aftermarket, only AGM will do. These cars need a LOT of juice! Nominally 14.5V when engine is running.

StatusRed · Mar 13th, 2018, 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow27

A dying alternator will eat batteries, even if the voltage tests fine. I went through 3 before replacing the alternator in desperation, has been perfect since. Volvo batteries are best, but if you must go aftermarket, only AGM will do. These cars need a LOT of juice! Nominally 14.5V when engine is running.

I thought AGM was for stop/start?

Bungo · Mar 15th, 2018, 12:43

You don't say how much mileage but given the year I imagine it's 100k+. Alternators are a bit of a weak point on these cars at that mileage and year.
Not sure if they still do, but Halfords used to offer a free battery and alternator check, but if you have a meter and know how it's pretty easy diy.

domhart10 · Mar 15th, 2018, 13:45

what battery did you have problems with? mine is over 3 years of ownership ... probably still the original battery. mileage from 45k now on 112k and still the same battery.

Alternators are a problem for these cars, but batteries should be good unless there is something on using it?

iainmd · Mar 15th, 2018, 14:15

My T5 lasted 13yrs of ownership with no alternator issues. The Volvo battery started to get weak at 9yrs so I replaced it with a Yuasa (not AGM) and it was every bit as good as the Volvo original. Better still it was sealed. I'm not a fan of the original Volvo ones not being sealed.

Our V50 lasted until this year at 8yrs old before the original Volvo battery became weak. Again, I replaced it with a Yuasa Silver 5000 and again it was every bit as good as the Volvo original one.

Normally I wouldn't buy anything from Halfords but their pricing on Yuasa batteries is keen so the V50 battery came from there.

In the OPs case it certainly sounds like the alternator needs to be tested. It sounds suspect.

Boatie · Mar 15th, 2018, 14:37

As I read various comments regarding batteries I can't help but smile at some of the comments (not just in this thread). There's a lot more to battery technology than many imagine. Anyone can goose a lead acid battery in a matter of weeks. It hinges around the level/depth of discharge and the re-charging regime. A visit to a few websites can form the basis of hours of reading.

StatusRed · Mar 15th, 2018, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bungo

You don't say how much mileage but given the year I imagine it's 100k+. Alternators are a bit of a weak point on these cars at that mileage and year.
Not sure if they still do, but Halfords used to offer a free battery and alternator check, but if you have a meter and know how it's pretty easy diy.

135K miles, so yeah that's why I'm also thinking alternator.

I tried to put my hand on it today to check if it's warm but the access is very bad I could only get to a piece of aluminium coming off the top of it which wasn't warm, so hardly a thorough test. I'm not immediately concerned now that I have my jumpstarter but I think given the mileage I'll probably change the alternator in due course as a preventive measure if nothing else.

Do people suggest any good aftermarket alternators?

EDIT: HANG ON... I've just thought of something..... in 2015 -> 2016 I had a black box fitted, "deactivated" but never removed; possible culprit?

Bungo · Mar 16th, 2018, 15:32

Although these boxes can cause issues they would show up more quickly.
As said earlier, batteries and even alternators will suffer from short start stop journeys, especially in winter with all the electrics on.

Mar 13th, 2018, 13:13	#11
LizardOfBodom WowIcanwriteAnythingHere! Last Online: Mar 26th, 2024 16:05 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Dublin/Meath	Except for obvious faults (battery fault or alternator drain as pointed), maybe something actually happened during your hoidays to drain it? Like for example alarm going off or light in glovebox/footwell? __________________ 2005 V50 T5AWD M66, Stage1 Hilton tune E-focus torque mount, E46 bi-xenon retrofit v2 , (also available in PDF form), DTSC fully-off mod, Brembo discs+ATE ceramic pads

Mar 15th, 2018, 12:43	#15
Bungo Premier Member Last Online: Oct 29th, 2020 23:25 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Midlands	You don't say how much mileage but given the year I imagine it's 100k+. Alternators are a bit of a weak point on these cars at that mileage and year. Not sure if they still do, but Halfords used to offer a free battery and alternator check, but if you have a meter and know how it's pretty easy diy. __________________ 2008 S40 2.0d R design auto powershift

Mar 15th, 2018, 13:45	#16
domhart10 Volvo S40 Last Online: Yesterday 23:31 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chichester	what battery did you have problems with? mine is over 3 years of ownership ... probably still the original battery. mileage from 45k now on 112k and still the same battery. Alternators are a problem for these cars, but batteries should be good unless there is something on using it? __________________ ----------------------------------------- Current: 2009 Volvo S40 T5 Progress Thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=271945 Previous Volvo: 2008 S40 SE Lux R Design 2.0D

Mar 15th, 2018, 14:15	#17
iainmd Member Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 12:13 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fife View Photos By: iainmd	My T5 lasted 13yrs of ownership with no alternator issues. The Volvo battery started to get weak at 9yrs so I replaced it with a Yuasa (not AGM) and it was every bit as good as the Volvo original. Better still it was sealed. I'm not a fan of the original Volvo ones not being sealed. Our V50 lasted until this year at 8yrs old before the original Volvo battery became weak. Again, I replaced it with a Yuasa Silver 5000 and again it was every bit as good as the Volvo original one. Normally I wouldn't buy anything from Halfords but their pricing on Yuasa batteries is keen so the V50 battery came from there. In the OPs case it certainly sounds like the alternator needs to be tested. It sounds suspect. __________________ Present: 2009 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Past: 2004 Volvo S40 T5 SE

Mar 16th, 2018, 15:32	#20
Bungo Premier Member Last Online: Oct 29th, 2020 23:25 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Midlands	Although these boxes can cause issues they would show up more quickly. As said earlier, batteries and even alternators will suffer from short start stop journeys, especially in winter with all the electrics on. __________________ 2008 S40 2.0d R design auto powershift

Mar 13th, 2018, 20:12	#13
theshadow27 New Member Last Online: Apr 6th, 2018 19:55 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Virginia	A dying alternator will eat batteries, even if the voltage tests fine. I went through 3 before replacing the alternator in desperation, has been perfect since. Volvo batteries are best, but if you must go aftermarket, only AGM will do. These cars need a LOT of juice! Nominally 14.5V when engine is running.

Mar 15th, 2018, 14:37	#18
Boatie Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 18:20 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Watford	As I read various comments regarding batteries I can't help but smile at some of the comments (not just in this thread). There's a lot more to battery technology than many imagine. Anyone can goose a lead acid battery in a matter of weeks. It hinges around the level/depth of discharge and the re-charging regime. A visit to a few websites can form the basis of hours of reading.

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