"Low battery" warning on 2016 XC60

Ovlovgirl21 · Post by **Ovlovgirl21** » 11 Jun 2021, 11:02

Hello all. My wife's new-to-us '16 XC60 threw a "low battery" warning when coming home from errands yesterday.

I put a known good and reliable battery charger on it, and it indicated a fully charged battery.

Anyone else having what seems to be false "low battery" warnings on their '16 XC60?

Thanks.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 14 Jun 2021, 18:50

Check to see if the Alternator is working with a Voltmeter.

Post by **joejoethedogfaceboy** » 14 Jun 2021, 19:22

Agree with Rick. Also check the battery with a voltmeter, with engine off. How old is the battery? Original? 4-5 year old battery could be on its last legs.

Not sure if it is a problem with your MY, but there is a known issue with the Satellite radio draining the battery in older models, but that is usually when the engine is off and the radio on. Requires either a software update or a "brace" that bypasses the satellite module.

If you do end up replacing the battery, make sure that the BMS (battery monitoring sensor) gets reset in VIDA. I just replaced the battery (installed 7/16 for the previous owner at the dealer) in my '12 XC60 last week and the CEM battery counter was never reset from factory, even though it should have been reset at the last battery change.

-Joe

Ovlovgirl21 · Post by **Ovlovgirl21** » 15 Jun 2021, 07:59

Thank you gentlemen for your suggestions. The battery is brand new from the Volvo dealer when we bought the buggy in March of this year. If I keep getting the low battery warnings,will take it in to make sure they reset all the appropriate stuff.

Stuff like this really makes me miss the good old simplicity of our 145, 244 and 164's of yesteryear!

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 15 Jun 2021, 08:10

Ovlovgirl21 wrote: ↑15 Jun 2021, 07:59 Stuff like this really makes me miss the good old simplicity of our 145, 244 and 164's of yesteryear!

With old cars you could judge a mechanic by the amount of grease on his overalls. Today you need to open the mechanic's skull and see what is inside. With the US switch from education to training ( yes there is a difference ) it is hard to find one education. When do find one education take all your work to them.

Post by **pgill** » 15 Jun 2021, 14:49

This post explains how I disabled my Satellite Radio module on my LR2.

Note: the LR2 is a first cousins to the XC60.

And it is a first cousin to the S80 (which I own as well)

https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic36819.html

Good luck

Paul

DarkstarT6 · Post by **DarkstarT6** » 27 Sep 2021, 21:10

So did having the BMS reset via VIDA cure the low battery message/condition?

I recently purchased a '12 XC60 T6, and had multiple systems serviced at a European cars independent shop, including new battery. After that round of service the low battery message started showing up, even after the 'unplug it' hardware reset method.

Via an OBDII ELM327 scanner and an app that kind of speaks Volvo I can see that the battery has voltage between 13.8 and 14.2, and that it pulls a charge current between 0.8 and 5ish amps, so the alternator is working to an extent, but the battery charge state as reported in the app goes only from 46 to 56%. It also tells me it has been 3,670 days since the battery monitor has been reset, which amounts to factory startup. I have not driven a full hour at one time since noticing the issue, but will this week to see if I'm just not giving it time to charge. I'm wondering too though, if an old battery state is stored in a BMS register that is affecting the system.

If the ELM327 OBDII scanner and app are grabbing correct info, it shows two low current drains (but not what they are). Guessing one might be the Sirius receiver. I have the infotainment system turned off for now but don't know if that stops the sat receiver from doing that thing it does. The Carfax shows both previous owners serviced it at the original local dealer, so it should've had all the TSB updates.

So hi by the way, new guy here!

Ovlovgirl21 · Post by **Ovlovgirl21** » 28 Sep 2021, 07:39

Thanks to all who offered helpful suggestions. Great to be back in the Volvo community! Thankfully, the XC60 seems to be settling in to its new home with us, and it has not thrown a low battery code since I first posted. All quiet for now. Thanks again!!

Post by **pgill** » 28 Sep 2021, 11:14

DarkstarT6 wrote: ↑27 Sep 2021, 21:10 So did having the BMS reset via VIDA cure the low battery message/condition?

I recently purchased a '12 XC60 T6,..................
........the battery charge state as reported in the app goes only from 46 to 56%............

................I have the infotainment system turned off for now but don't know if that stops the sat receiver from doing that thing it does.

So hi by the way, new guy here!

DarkStar,

I really like the Zephyrus Wheels. I've purchased two sets of those wheels one for my 2010 S80 and another for my 2008 LR2.

At some point you will need to explain how you went from a XC70 T6 P3 to a XC60 T6 P3 (not here, start a new thread)

I don't know if the Satellite radio module is the same all the way to 2016. But I believe that my LR2 module would plug right in to my S80 and work fine.

I need to check the wiring diagram but I believe that the module shuts itself down and the signal to shut down is from the Fiberoptic connection. If the module is latched up it will remain in an active mode instead of a standby mode. This will drain your battery in a few days.

By contrast the Bluetooth module is also connected to the CAN bus and I suspect that it receives a message to shutdown from the CAN bus.

If you bypass the Satellite radio and unplug its power it would be interesting to see if the low battery message goes away

Good luck

Paul

DarkstarT6 · Post by **DarkstarT6** » 28 Sep 2021, 12:10

Thanks for your reply Paul.

The satellite receiver isn't top priority on my troubleshooting list as it surely isn't affecting charging while driving. Thanks for a good start in train of thought though, it is definitely an important detail to figure out since I don't use it anyway, and don't have access to AC for a trickle charger where I have to park.

I like the Zephyrus wheels too, these are fairly clean with just one silver dollar sized spot of bubbling under the clear coat on one. Also I think 18" is a nice balance between looks, performance, and tire price. I bet they look great on your LR2, I've only seen them on Volvos.

Thanks again,

Michael