Volvo On Call: Failed to start preconditioning

[Lexman8]

I wonder if, ironically, it's a temperature related problem. I had a major s/w update done in Oct and precon has been working perfectly even in this cold spell. However, I keep the car in the garage overnight so the temperature never gets below freezing.

[Deman77]

Originally Posted by Konst

Same here. And even charging battery overnight I’m getting the same message.

This is very interesting. This would imply it’s not actual charge related.

Mine was driven a bit yesterday. Short trips that took a while due to bad traffic. But over an hour in up time. This morning pre-con started and the car started thawing nicely but after 10min it told me it turned off to save battery charge. I do think it’s charge related but your case makes me think that it’s more likely to do with some sensors and the charge level (or voltage) than just the battery drain. The dealer also said I never had battery too low in my visits. It could be it is within testing tolerances but not within some sensor tolerances especially as it cools and it’s capacity is lower.

[Busa1400]

There is a new software update out - that deals with preconditioning and remote start.

I had lots of problems until the update - now works seamlessly

[Konst]

Originally Posted by Deman77

This is very interesting. This would imply it’s not actual charge related.

I was wondering this too. My main battery was replaced 5 month ago ( I was having "low charge" messages since the car was new) and now I use to charge it every week or so with a CTEK AGM charger bought on purpose. But now I'm wondering if connecting the charger as indicated in the manual on the small front hood battery is actually recharging the main battery on the back...

This morning, VOC app aborted again pre-heating, but reaching the car its turned to be on and heated...

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Busa1400

There is a new software update out - that deals with preconditioning and remote start.

I had lots of problems until the update - now works seamlessly

Precon and ERS are quite different on the T8 compared to the D5 and T6 and I think this software update applies specifically to the T8 which has had ongoing issues in this area for a long time.

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Konst

But now I'm wondering if connecting the charger as indicated in the manual on the small front hood battery is actually recharging the main battery on the back...

There's a big warning against charging the main battery directly. I wonder whether the front charging points connect to the charge controller which then ensures that both batteries are charged correctly. However, as the Ctek is then seeing a charge controller, and not seeing a 'simple' battery load, it is perhaps finishing the charge cycle before either or both batteries are fully charged. Or, once the secondary battery is fully charged (it's only 10Ah) the charger detects that and stops charging the main battery?

[neon]

I am now getting low battery warning again when trying to use the auxiliary heater.
What a waste of money that very expensive option was when it does not work more often than it does. I would have expected an upgraded battery for those choosing the option to ensure it works more often.
Looks like another call to the dealer.

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by neon

I am now getting low battery warning again when trying to use the auxiliary heater.
What a waste of money that very expensive option was when it does not work more often than it does. I would have expected an upgraded battery for those choosing the option to ensure it works more often.
Looks like another call to the dealer.

It's a bad situation. Skimping on the battery to save a few kroner is causing problems and dissatisfaction for customers and hassle for the dealers. I was surprised that the main battery is only 80Ah. My Merc's battery was 110Ah and that car didn't have start/stop, 2 heated screens, 4 heated seats and 100+ electronic modules to power up. Neither did it have an internet connection permanently on and a precon system which draws power for up to 40 mins when the engine isn't running.

[Deman77]

Let’s make this as painful as the road noise thread. They are bound to address it when marketing links it to lower sales. I am shocked that some people have had it for over a year and it’s still not solved.

[Konst]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

It's a bad situation. Skimping on the battery to save a few kroner is causing problems and dissatisfaction for customers and hassle for the dealers. I was surprised that the main battery is only 80Ah. My Merc's battery was 110Ah and that car didn't have start/stop, 2 heated screens, 4 heated seats and 100+ electronic modules to power up. Neither did it have an internet connection permanently on and a precon system which draws power for up to 40 mins when the engine isn't running.

I fully agree with that. In addition to the underpowered battery, Volvo didn't put a battery charge gauge on the display so you can't see the car is almost not charging on short trips.
With so much functions drawing amperes, I suspect the alternator can barely supply to the consumers. I've noticed if I put the battery on charge overnight (assuming I'm actually charging the main battery and not only the small 10 AH battery) when I go back to home after 20 km trip the battery charger shows almost the same level of charge.
On camper and mobil-homes the fuel-heaters are well know to draw a lot of amperes at starting phase. And on the XC90 we have the additional heater which start anyway below 8°, if you don't use auxiliary heater before starting.
80AH isn't probably enough.