electrical question

[SirBrickWagon]

came outside this morning to find my car's battery had died. I think i left the indicator on overnight accidentally. would this cause a battery to drain overnight when the key is out?

[scot850]

If I recall correctly, when the key is out, the only time the lights will stay on is if the sidelight setting is used on the light switch. When you do as you say and remove the ignition switch does the turn signal stay lit if left in that position?

The turn signals will stay on if in hazard mode.

The usual suspects are the glove box light staying on when closed or the interior lights staying on or left on. Glove box, put your cell phone in there in video mode and close the door and see if the light stays on.

Otherwise, it could just be a bad battery, or as it has been really cold again for the last few days, if you did a lot of short runs, the battery may not have had time to recover between uses.

Good luck and hopefully it is a lot of short trips. When the weather is this cold, it may be worth thinking of a trickle charger for the battery to help it recover. Princess Auto has some on sale for around $20-30 just now.

The next stage is to do a current draw test, but I think you have not got there yet.

Neil.

[SirBrickWagon]

If I recall correctly, when the key is out, the only time the lights will stay on is if the sidelight setting is used on the light switch. When you do as you say and remove the ignition switch does the turn signal stay lit if left in that position?

The turn signals will stay on if in hazard mode.

The usual suspects are the glove box light staying on when closed or the interior lights staying on or left on. Glove box, put your cell phone in there in video mode and close the door and see if the light stays on.

Otherwise, it could just be a bad battery, or as it has been really cold again for the last few days, if you did a lot of short runs, the battery may not have had time to recover between uses.

Good luck and hopefully it is a lot of short trips. When the weather is this cold, it may be worth thinking of a trickle charger for the battery to help it recover. Princess Auto has some on sale for around $20-30 just now.

The next stage is to do a current draw test, but I think you have not got there yet.

Neil.

i do think it's the short trips. glovebox light randomly burnt out when i was "fixing" the latch and doesn't light up anymore. glovebox is still closed regardless. i usually take mail trips in the car, just to get it moving a little. thankfully i'm not the only one in my neighbourhood that appreciates the brick, there's a P2 XC70 owner who gave me a compliment as i was driving by one day, and we just had a good chat about volvos for a while

[scot850]

If you think that is the case, then these might be a good idea. On sale to 27th Feb

https://www.princessauto.com/en/product/PA0008970600

https://www.princessauto.com/en/4a-batt ... 0008970618

The problem with the light is if it stays 'live' and does not switch off when the door is closed. Safest is to remove the bulb if you can to make sure it is not drawing on the battery.

The old 850's and first gen V70/S70 Volvos get a fair amount of attention when out and about. My laser blue V70R gets lots of attention when out and around as well.

Neil.

[SirBrickWagon]

If you think that is the case, then these might be a good idea. On sale to 27th Feb

https://www.princessauto.com/en/product/PA0008970600

https://www.princessauto.com/en/4a-batt ... 0008970618

The problem with the light is if it stays 'live' and does not switch off when the door is closed. Safest is to remove the bulb if you can to make sure it is not drawing on the battery.

The old 850's and first gen V70/S70 Volvos get a fair amount of attention when out and about. My laser blue V70R gets lots of attention when out and around as well.

Neil.

just got home to test the battery, and it read a steady 12 volts. maybe yesterday was just a fluke.

[scot850]

Just keep an eye on it. 12V is a little on the low side. Should be nearer 12.5V on a good battery.

Neil.