XC60 'Battery Low'

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Thrustyjust

Seems I have an 80 AH battery after having a look today. Spoke to Volvo and the parts guy said that it could be the key fob battery which is the cause , as it shows the same 'low battery' as the car battery does on the dash. A strange logic by Volvo , I suppose. So , he said change the fob batteries first and see if it goes away. I did check the levels in the battery and all seemed good and clear, with nothing nasty crud in there. He said they can test it if I want to.
I have ordered 2 batteries for £3 and if I need a battery, either £85 plus 4 year warranty from my mates wifes place or a 3 year warranty and £106.20 from Volvo. So not drastic prices to be honest.

One fob battery on my V40 was completely used up after 3 years and would not open the car at all. They don't last forever.

Roy

[Thrustyjust]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

One fob battery on my V40 was completely used up after 3 years and would not open the car at all. They don't last forever.

Roy

We bought the car 2 1/2 years ago at 4 years old and I've never changed them, so fingers crossed !!

[Bantambuddy]

I have been getting the low battery warning on my XC60 MY2015 whilst the temperature has been very low but now it is warmer it no longer displays. I checked the charging voltage and it was reading around 14.9/15 volts so will be interested in results of changing the key fob battery as mine is 2 1/2 years old

[xsaab]

On my previous make of car the fob batteries were changed as and when needed at service time as a foc activity - so if your fob battery appears to last for a long time it could be you are being looked after by your servicing agent.

[Thrustyjust]

Originally Posted by xsaab

On my previous make of car the fob batteries were changed as and when needed at service time as a foc activity - so if your fob battery appears to last for a long time it could be you are being looked after by your servicing agent.

Unless Volvo are doing this FOC , there is nothing on my service invoices for the £5 per battery for the fob they wanted , when I spoke yesterday. So, I bought 2 for £3 on line ( Energiser)

[Whyman]

I have had this message over the last two years, sent into Volvo dealer at least twice who said battery was OK each time

Recently when I get the message the electric tailgate does not work.

Checking the battery at rest shows 11.9 volts.

I have connnected to the battery a CTEK charger cable that has three lights, red Amber and green. Whenever I have checked it it has been red or battery needs charging. I have charged the battery with the charger which should go into recondition mode but no improvement.

Any way I have today fitted a Bosch S5 battery today from ECP an extra 30% off in the January sale. As soon as I fitted the battery the indicator went green which it never did with the old battery.

Hopefully the problem is now resolved. Time will tell.

[wimorrison]

if that battery is (or was) showing 11.9 then it is in a bad state of charge and will throw a fault.

Have you checked the charging voltage? this should be around 14.5v, no less than 14.2 and ideally no more than 14.8v

If it is lower than this it won't reach a full change, and more will damage the plates

[Whiterdesign]

Mine does this on a nearly daily basis, done it since it was nearly new. Mention it at every service but still the same. Car is now nearly 5 years old and on original battery, always starts first time summer or winter so i just ignore it now.

[Fat Magpie]

They do die, I have been told 5 years is a good innings for a car battery.

I am off later today to pick up a new 90 AH monster from the dealer, I tried sourcing it from other motor factors but getting one of that capacity and physical size was impossible. Apparently the Volvo branded batteries are Varta batteries. A solid well made, expensive German make.

You should be able to leave your Volvo for a month with out any problems and still start it, the battery been able to cope running the various (quiescent current) systems like alarm and sat nav whilst your gone. Sadly mine was having difficulties after 3 weeks.

[Whyman]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

if that battery is (or was) showing 11.9 then it is in a bad state of charge and will throw a fault.

Have you checked the charging voltage? this should be around 14.5v, no less than 14.2 and ideally no more than 14.8v

If it is lower than this it won't reach a full change, and more will damage the plates

Thanks for the reply
Charging was showing 14.6 v consitantly over the last year as I have checked approx once a month. Battery has never failed to start the car but the Low battery message was appearing more often. Sign of a failing battery, that is unlikely to get better, so I bit the bullet before it caused a problem. Car will be parked at the airport for two weeks in March and I do not want to return to a flat battery particularly as we land a 6 am.