Flat battery issue

[Paul-C]

Some advice required on reasons causing a flat battery as below
I have had the car, a XC60 17 plate 2.4 D auto. Since Dec 17 (6months old) and quickly had two dash cams fitted by Halfords, Garmin 65 front and nextbase dash back. The Garmin is wired for parking mode.
The car had a battery change 12 months ago, according to Volvo service it had a fault, now one year on the battery is flat, something is draining the power.
I average around 150 miles/week and would think that mileage would keep the battery topped up.
Discussing this with the dealership the response is “it won’t be the battery it’s new and if there was an issue it is not covered in your warranty because of the battery change last year it will be one or both of the dashcams. Halfords are notorious for creating problems. If you want us to check it out we will at your cost”
Any thoughts appreciated
Thanks

[cheshired5]

Just get a multimeter and do a parasitic drain test.
A drain which kills a battery that quickly will be easy to find.

[soupytwister]

Remarkably similar to the dealer response to my S60 problem with the electrics I've just posted. Difference is mine is 8 weeks old and has never had anything like dashcams fitted.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Paul-C

Some advice required on reasons causing a flat battery as below
I have had the car, a XC60 17 plate 2.4 D auto. Since Dec 17 (6months old) and quickly had two dash cams fitted by Halfords, Garmin 65 front and nextbase dash back. The Garmin is wired for parking mode.
The car had a battery change 12 months ago, according to Volvo service it had a fault, now one year on the battery is flat, something is draining the power.
I average around 150 miles/week and would think that mileage would keep the battery topped up.
Discussing this with the dealership the response is “it won’t be the battery it’s new and if there was an issue it is not covered in your warranty because of the battery change last year it will be one or both of the dashcams. Halfords are notorious for creating problems. If you want us to check it out we will at your cost”
Any thoughts appreciated
Thanks

Has the dealer carried out the Mandatory Volvo Battery test which is built into the car? If it fails the test the code generated enables a further warranty claim. They are not following the correct procedure ! .
your cameras should draw much less than 1 amp in their standby mode .
HOWEVER ... The dealer is right with their remarks ... If Halfords have wired them up incorrectly the current they do draw in standby could be keeping all the other computer modules alive preventing them going in to sleep mode ... You need to get the cameras disconnected , then fully charge the battery which can take 24 hours with these modern batteries .... It is best to leave the charger on as long as you possibly can preferably over 24 hours then see how you get on before going back to Volvo ..

[nu11eaf]

Originally Posted by Clan

Has the dealer carried out the Mandatory Volvo Battery test which is built into the car? If it fails the test the code generated enables a further warranty claim. They are not following the correct procedure ! .
your cameras should draw much less than 1 amp in their standby mode .
HOWEVER ... The dealer is right with their remarks ... If Halfords have wired them up incorrectly the current they do draw in standby could be keeping all the other computer modules alive preventing them going in to sleep mode ... You need to get the cameras disconnected , then fully charge the battery which can take 24 hours with these modern batteries .... It is best to leave the charger on as long as you possibly can preferably over 24 hours then see how you get on before going back to Volvo ..

A very good point and reminder to anyone fitting electrical equipment to their car, using the wrong live and earth points that may be shared with other electronics can have unwanted side effects.

[Paul-C]

Thanks for the comments.
The job of charging the battery is itself become an issue, I bought a Ring battery charger from Halfords and "new out of the box" it didn't work, proved by taking charger and battery to Halfords and tried against one off the shelf.
Upgraded to a "Ring smart charger" that didn't work also but being smart threw confusing data onto the charger screen, so I rang RingAutomotive and their tech people initially said it was the battery then "over the phone diagnostic check" said it's the charger, so today I get replacement number three.
I have already discussed with Halfords removing the dashcam electrics but when I have a fully charged battery I will do the parasitic drain test and post results.
Taking the car in for a 12 month 27k service Friday to a local independent Volvo garage £150 dealer wanted to charge £475

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Paul-C

Thanks for the comments.
The job of charging the battery is itself become an issue, I bought a Ring battery charger from Halfords and "new out of the box" it didn't work, proved by taking charger and battery to Halfords and tried against one off the shelf.
Upgraded to a "Ring smart charger" that didn't work also but being smart threw confusing data onto the charger screen, so I rang RingAutomotive and their tech people initially said it was the battery then "over the phone diagnostic check" said it's the charger, so today I get replacement number three.
I have already discussed with Halfords removing the dashcam electrics but when I have a fully charged battery I will do the parasitic drain test and post results.
Taking the car in for a 12 month 27k service Friday to a local independent Volvo garage £150 dealer wanted to charge £475

which service are you due .. i assume a 3rd year 54000 ? ( No such thing as a 27000 mile service ) you do get what you pay for you wont get the full volvo service for £150 ...

[nu11eaf]

Also worth noting that you will get the latest software updates and 12 months breakdown and recovery service with the volvo service.

[SuffolkBoy]

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

Also worth noting that you will get the latest software updates and 12 months breakdown and recovery service with the volvo service.

+1 for recommending Dealer service - the car is still under Warranty according to the information given by the OP, and getting software updates and breakdown cover for another 12 months is very worthwhile.

If the OP is a VOC member, there should be 10% discount from the Dealer for the service too.

Also has the local independent garage got all the equipment to plug into the car to ensure that the service is done properly??

[Clan]

Originally Posted by SuffolkBoy

+1 for recommending Dealer service - the car is still under Warranty according to the information given by the OP, and getting software updates and breakdown cover for another 12 months is very worthwhile.

If the OP is a VOC member, there should be 10% discount from the Dealer for the service too.

Also has the local independent garage got all the equipment to plug into the car to ensure that the service is done properly??

and is he aware of the need for aux belt replacement .... which is vital to ensure the engine doesn't destruct itself ? Cars are very specialised these days , there is a lot of information required even when doing basic services ...