Electrical Gremlins Killing the Battery

[steve2526]

Our 2001 V70 has several electrical problems and they're killing a new battery.

During the summer months, the fan continued to run long after the car was turned off, and in some cases started running on its own while it was parked.

With the cold weather now here, there's been a couple of mornings the month-old battery has been drained. We took it for a 40 mile drive today to charge it up. Stopped to do shopping halfway, and turned the headlight switch to off, but my wife saw the headlights were on when she got out (engine still running).

I turned the switch to the parking light position, and when we came out the parking lights were on.

Ideas on where to start looking to avoid a trip to the dealer would be appreciated!

[oragex]

You are in for a new battery, BUT first find the electrical draw or the new battery won't last long either.

When a battery is discharged by a current draw overnight, then recharged by the alternator the next day, within months the battery will get damaged and will lose the capacity of being recharged. Car batteries don't like being cycled. I bet your battery doesn't charge more than 10-20% any longer, and this is why if you leave the radio/lights on for a few minutes with the engine off, it goes completely flat.

It is not normal for the fan to keep turning like that for too long, so that would be the first thing to look at. Either the controller on the fan, or maybe the coolant temp sensor (see if the needle climbs smoothly as the engine warms up).

The thing with the headlights, do you mean these won't turn off with the engine off ?

Another thing to look at, my 2003 had the same scenario except it was the rear plate lights that were shorted - common on this car. Maybe see at night if the plate lights work, if not you may need a new harness. Until then just disconnect as shown - you will have to open the trunk with the key (see the lock right when the video starts, give it a try see if it's turns) www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1xxHECS8as

[steve2526]

Thanks for the quick reply.

With engine running and switch to 0, headlights/DRL, front parking lights, tail lights and plate lights all on

Switch in parking light position, headlights/DRL are off, front parking lights, rear tail lights and plate lights on

Switch to headlights and all lights are on.

With the engine off and the switch in the middle position when we shopped earlier today the front parking lights were on. I didn't check to see if the tail lights and plate lights were on.

[EngineeringBloke]

Is this car new to you? Has the behavior changed recently?

1. Parking lights. If you leave the light switch in position 1 then the parking lights stay on after the ignition key is removed. (See below).
Please check what happens to the parking lights, with the light switch in position 0, and then also in position 1, when you are outside the car with the car locked.

2. As noted, the engine fan will run after the key is removed if needed to cool the engine. This should turn off within about 10 minutes maximum, as the engine should be cool enough by then. Now that it is cooler, are you seeing the fan still running, and for how long? Check to see if it runs 20 minutes after parking.

3. You might have an excessive current drain with the ignition off. There are Youtube videos that show how to track one down. You should not have to go to the dealer in order to determine how much current is flowing from the battery after the car is off. Most mechanics can diagnose this issue. Current should be not much more than 0.1 amps. The alarm, remote key fob detector, and a few other circuits will run (trunk lights, too, if the trunk is open to access the turbo model's trunk mounted battery).

The alternator has diode rectifiers, these can fail open or closed circuit. If a diode fails closed circuit, it is a short to the battery and can be a high drain. With your car being 17 years old, this is a possibility.


It appears you are leaving the car with the parking lights turned on. From the owners manual 2001 v70 - there is a typo below - I think it should read "If the headlight switch is in position '0' all lights will go out when the ignition is switched off."

https://volvo.custhelp.com/app/manuals/ ... /om_id/766

O All lights off

Models with daytime running lights: Low beam headlights will automatically come on if the ignition key is in position II. Front and rear parking lights and license plate lights will also be on.

Volvo recommends the use of daytime running lights. If, however, you would prefer to have these lights turned off (USA only), please consult your Volvo retailer. Please note that the use of daytime running lights is mandatory in Canada.

Parking lights on

Headlights, parking lights, license plate lights and instrument panel illumination are on if the ignition key is in position II. If the headlight switch is in position all lights will go out when the ignition is switched off.

The headlight switch must be in this position before the high beams will function.

Switch from high to low beams and vice versa by pulling the turn signal switch lever on the left side of steering column toward you.

[Mike Langlois]

I just dealt with a similar problem in a 2002 V70 X/C. Finally replaced a damaged turn signal switch a and no more battery drain.
Took the time to trouble shoot and pull fuses before replacing the obviously broken switch...

[oragex]

Usually, cars in Canada came with the daytime running lights on by factory (both front and rear lights stay on no matter how the headlight switch is turned). It seems a previous owner has deactivated this functionality with the Vida software. Try as above to rotate the switch knob to a different position when leaving the car. Otherwise, maybe find someone with Vida and set the daytime running lights to on back again. https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/archive/ ... 54016.html