Battery replacement caused electrical failure

Kerbygirl · Post by **Kerbygirl** » 01 Aug 2012, 19:57

After having my battery changed on my 2003 XC90, the following things happened: all instrument lighting dimmed and will not change / update. Turn signals do not work. Fog lights, bright lights, parking lights don't work. Rear wiper, washer, windshield washer don't work.

The tech that put the battery in did as the manual states: waited 5 min (actually more like 15) after turning vehicle off before removing battery. He disconnected neg first then pos. Once the new battery was installed, all of the above occurred.

We have also tried this as stated in the manual: "after battery has been disconnected and / or replaced, lock and unlock with the central locking system's remote control to reactivate such features as power windows, moonroof, courtesy lighting etc.

Sure could use some expertise here. Thanks in advance!

Post by **MoVolvos** » 01 Aug 2012, 20:35

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Should pick up another fresh Battery from Costco, Walmart or O'Reilly's first before jumping to conclusions.

Blessings,
BKM
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Kerbygirl · Post by **Kerbygirl** » 01 Aug 2012, 20:53

The one I bought is from Interstate and as far as performance goes, is working well. The problem occurred at removal & Installation. The battery was $156... Should I still try another one?

Post by **misha** » 01 Aug 2012, 20:54

Remove negative battery cable and wait for about 10-15 minutes...reconnect it and wait a few minutes before start the car.If this not reset it,then you will need to check the battery.

Also....for that stuff which don't work(turn signals,wipers,washers)check their fuses...i assume that they worked before battery replacement.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 01 Aug 2012, 21:02

Kerbygirl wrote:The one I bought is from Interstate and as far as performance goes, is working well. The problem occurred at removal & Installation. The battery was $156... Should I still try another one?

Interstate are typical shop batteries and could have been sitting around awhile. Check the Manufacturing Date. A good battery should cost less than a hundred dollars unless it is a special unit like my old 95 E420 which only the dealer carried. Take the Battery to O'Reilly's or Walmart for a free check. Personally I would not buy an Interstate. I have purchased many Batteries from Costco over the years (owned a lot of cars) and I do not remember any being more than 1 month or so old.

Blessings,
BKM
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Kerbygirl · Post by **Kerbygirl** » 01 Aug 2012, 21:17

Thanks! I'll try both suggestions and post the results.

Post by **jimmy57** » 02 Aug 2012, 00:30

I would add to what Misha said. When you disconnect the neg cable at battery touch it to pos cable. There may have been something, like doors open, that could have had the electrical system still alive and when the batt was disconnected some of the modules went offline into a protection mode. There are capacitors in most of the modules that store enough charge to keep the chipset in the module alive for as much as 2 hours (not the airbag module, it has a quick discharge for service and post-crash reasons). If you touch the neg cable to pos cable you will not short the battery but you will cause the caps to discharge and the modules will truly start from full off condition.
These cars do random offline non-responsive module number regularly when they are being disassembled for various repairs(instrument cluster and climate control seem to be the worst).