1995 850GLT Battery Use/Charging

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 19 Jul 2015, 15:09

Quick question, I don't always have the time to use my car due to traveling. I have a Battery Tender that works quite well.

However, someone also mentioned to me some "gadget" that you put on the car's battery terminal (unsure which one) that in essence turns off the connection from your battery to car.

I thought this may be a better alternative than using my Battery Tender when I'm gone for a week or 2.

Any idea what this gadget is and where to buy one?

Post by **abscate** » 19 Jul 2015, 15:15

2 weeks is fine to leave a Volvo. If your battery discharges during that time you have an electrical problem to fix.

The gadget is a terminal knife switch or terminal switch. They are commonly used in marine applications.

Each time you disconnect the battery the ECU has to relearn the fuel mapping and all the OBD monitor circuits go not ready, too.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 19 Jul 2015, 15:36

abscate wrote:2 weeks is fine to leave a Volvo. If your battery discharges during that time you have an electrical problem to fix.

The gadget is a terminal knife switch or terminal switch. They are commonly used in marine applications.

Each time you disconnect the battery the ECU has to relearn the fuel mapping and all the OBD monitor circuits go not ready, too.

So the OBD computer forgets what's going on? That would suck.

Post by **abscate** » 19 Jul 2015, 15:42

It will clear the codes but also reset the monitors until you perform about 100 miles of driving. The car will test as " not ready for inspection" at most emission tests until this is completed.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 19 Jul 2015, 15:59

abscate wrote:It will clear the codes but also reset the monitors until you perform about 100 miles of driving. The car will test as " not ready for inspection" at most emission tests until this is completed.

Thanks, I will stick to my Battery Tender then.

The service light just popped on, so I need to check the little light box up front, and see what the code is when I press the button.

Post by **misha** » 19 Jul 2015, 16:31

abscate wrote:2 weeks is fine to leave a Volvo. If your battery discharges during that time you have an electrical problem to fix.

It can be...in the summer...if battery is fully charged before you park it for two weeks.In the winter....it will be dead after a week.
If the car have aftermarket alarm system installed.....battery will be almost dead after just a week of not starting it.
@viper69....service light is just an oil change reminder,not check engine light.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 19 Jul 2015, 18:21

misha wrote:
abscate wrote:2 weeks is fine to leave a Volvo. If your battery discharges during that time you have an electrical problem to fix.
It can be...in the summer...if battery is fully charged before you park it for two weeks.In the winter....it will be dead after a week.
If the car have aftermarket alarm system installed.....battery will be almost dead after just a week of not starting it.
@viper69....service light is just an oil change reminder,not check engine light.

I can never remember what the Amber Service light is for. So I always end up checking the computer under the hood looking at the flashing lights when you push the buttons.

SO, the amber light is only for oil changes?? Either way, I have to turn it off, because I doubt Jiffy Lube etc, will know how to turn it off.

Post by **misha** » 20 Jul 2015, 07:01

You can turn it off yourself under the hood via built in obdI system.
ObdII system requires specific Volvo scan tool to reset it and to access the codes.

viper69 · Post by **viper69** » 20 Jul 2015, 11:05

misha wrote:You can turn it off yourself under the hood via built in obdI system.
ObdII system requires specific Volvo scan tool to reset it and to access the codes.

Hmm.. I know I have turned off a light in the dash from under the hood, w/out special tech. Just using my fingers. Perhaps it was a light that was not the Amber service light. Does a 95 Volvo have Obd 1 and Obd 2? I thought it only had OBD1 system.

Post by **misha** » 20 Jul 2015, 13:06