Is it normal for my battery to die after 2 weeks of not driving.

02V70 · Post by **02V70** » 10 Feb 2024, 21:24

I replaced the battery recently with an interstate-branded one. I have not driven in two weeks, and when I tried to start the car today, it was completely dead, no lights turned on and the car had to be unlocked manually. Is this normal, or is there a parasitic drain? If I go a week without driving, it starts fine.

The battery was at 2.6 volts before I had a friend jump it. I idled for 10 minutes and drove 15 minutes to Costco. When I turned the car off and tried to start it again, it started. When I got home, I measured the battery, and it was 12.18 volts. Is my battery damaged from being drained that low?

In the future, I will probably unplug the battery when I am done driving. Will this be harmful to the car in any way? Will it make it forget any calibrations? Is there a better thing to unplug since I will have to crawl into the back to plug the battery back in?

Post by **cn90** » 10 Feb 2024, 22:27

- Battery can last 4-6 wks w/o driving.

- However, for extended period of no driving:
1. Consider a solar charger if you park outside.
2. Trickle charger if you park inside
3. D/C the battery is easy to do. The only thing you will lose is the clock,
which is easily fixed once you connect the battery.

- Once the battery is deeply discharged, it is probably damaged.
Best is to get new Interstate battery from Costco.

- Check the alternator output!

Post by **scot850** » 10 Feb 2024, 22:58

My Interstate battery on my P80 will go flat if I leave the aftermarket Viper alarm system on. It draws about 50 mA and will drain it in about 2 weeks or so. I am fortunate to be able to park it in an attached garage and leave it unlocked. But as suggested it has a trickle charger connected when not in regular use.

Draining a battery that low, as mentioned, can permanently damage the battery.

You could so a current draw on your battery and find out what it is and then ask Volvo or some smart guy on here (not me!) what the draw should be. I have heard of faulty alternators, door locks, glove boxes and more over the years that have caused unusual levels of drain.

For older P80's I have found 10-20 mA is normal. Newer models may be higher, but I don't know.

Neil.

02V70 · Post by **02V70** » 11 Feb 2024, 00:34

cn90 wrote: ↑10 Feb 2024, 22:27 Best is to get new Interstate battery from Costco.

This was a new interstate battery from Costco. Is it possible to get it replaced under warranty? If not I'll probably get one of those portable jump starters and just use that if the battery is somewhat damaged.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Feb 2024, 04:09

One deep discharge cycle should not damage it. It could be it was not fully charged off shelf and two weeks took it down. 50 mA draw on these cars is typical and in two weeks would discharge a good battery about 20%

Post by **jonesg** » 11 Feb 2024, 06:39

Test for parasitic draw, let the car go to sleep and watch if the draw drops.
try not engaging the alarm system if possible.

02V70 · Post by **02V70** » 11 Feb 2024, 13:45

My alarm system was already damaged so currently the fuse for it is pulled as it was causing the car to die overnight. Is there another fuse related to it that I should pull?

Post by **Krons** » 11 Feb 2024, 19:00

Keep a jump pack in the car. Got a couple of these for my motorcycles.

S ZEVZO Jump Starter 1000A Peak... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNVLL6MJ?re ... b_ap_share

Post by **jonesg** » 12 Feb 2024, 02:16

02V70 wrote: ↑11 Feb 2024, 13:45 My alarm system was already damaged so currently the fuse for it is pulled as it was causing the car to die overnight. Is there another fuse related to it that I should pull?

a parasitic draw test will answer that.

Post by **cn90** » 12 Feb 2024, 06:42

Costco provides warranty for Interstate batteries.

Reddit has a nice discussion here...