Low battery after 15 mins. Is this normal?
Discussion
Heff31 said:
Hi All,
Still getting use to my 2012 Vantage and noticed a few times I get a low battery message if I have the engine is off and I am e.g. playing with the stereo. Is this normal after a relatively short time?
Hello, I don't think so. I think it is likely the first sign of an ageing battery.Still getting use to my 2012 Vantage and noticed a few times I get a low battery message if I have the engine is off and I am e.g. playing with the stereo. Is this normal after a relatively short time?
I would suggest putting an current meter in series with the battery. Most DMMs will handle 10 amps which should be sufficient as long as you don't try to start the car or turn on the headlights.
It would be interesting to see what the current drain is with the car key turned on, and then off, and then when the car sits for more than 5-10 minutes. I recall being surprised by the current draw with the key turned on (all the computers booted up), and by the draw for the first 4-5 minutes after you turn the key off. Eventually it should drop to 50 milliamps or so which is the alarm system and the keyless entry. If you are drawing amps with the key out that isn't proper.
It would be interesting to see what the current drain is with the car key turned on, and then off, and then when the car sits for more than 5-10 minutes. I recall being surprised by the current draw with the key turned on (all the computers booted up), and by the draw for the first 4-5 minutes after you turn the key off. Eventually it should drop to 50 milliamps or so which is the alarm system and the keyless entry. If you are drawing amps with the key out that isn't proper.
EVR said:
Heff31 said:
Hi All,
Still getting use to my 2012 Vantage and noticed a few times I get a low battery message if I have the engine is off and I am e.g. playing with the stereo. Is this normal after a relatively short time?
Hello, I don't think so. I think it is likely the first sign of an ageing battery.Still getting use to my 2012 Vantage and noticed a few times I get a low battery message if I have the engine is off and I am e.g. playing with the stereo. Is this normal after a relatively short time?
ds666 said:
EVR said:
Heff31 said:
Hi All,
Still getting use to my 2012 Vantage and noticed a few times I get a low battery message if I have the engine is off and I am e.g. playing with the stereo. Is this normal after a relatively short time?
Hello, I don't think so. I think it is likely the first sign of an ageing battery.Still getting use to my 2012 Vantage and noticed a few times I get a low battery message if I have the engine is off and I am e.g. playing with the stereo. Is this normal after a relatively short time?
ds666 said:
+1 . My 2102 v12 started doing the same thing . Waiting at the station to pick younger daughter up listening to radio for a few minutes , low battery warning and the a worry to start . Change the battery .
This. I'm onto my third battery on my V8..... (11 year old, had since new). Its not a difficult job, just fiddly and you need to make sure you keep your back straight when pulling it out!
I'm finding the lockdown is killing it, car isn't getting used so it is going flat every other week or so.......
I thought it was just an automated message after a certain amount of time with the car "on" but not running the engine. Mine has its original battery (7 years old), has done this since I've had it (nearly 6 years), has never been on a battery conditioner and starts no problem after sitting unused in the cold for 2 weeks.
I had a continuous problem with a flat battery after 10 - 15 days with a new battery fitted. After much soul searching I got the factory Tracker removed (needs a visit to AM shop to de install it). Solved the problem and now I can leave it for much longer with no problem. This is known problem with some of the earlier Trackers. My car is AMV8 MY 2007. Having said that, lead acid batteries will deteriorate very quickly if you regularly leave them in a semi discharged state. Use your car regularly or put the battery on charge - thats the rule to keep your battery healthy.
Additionally the 'low battery' message is because the voltage detector is too sensitive and you can generally ignore it if you know that the battery is newish or known to be good.
BUT - Remember that if you dont follow the above advice, your battery will deteriorate and the Battery Low message must not be ignored.
My Interesting 'Battery experience' ........
Before I had the Tracker removed, I bought a new Bosch battery. It failed after 17 months and was diagnosed to be dead by the Bosch dealer. It was replaced under warranty FOC. I am now convinced that the battery was totally OK when purchased and I murdered the battery by allowing it to discharge and be left in this state on several occasions .
There are many many people who are wondering why their car batteries are knackered during lockdown. - Keep it charged!
Phil Collins
Additionally the 'low battery' message is because the voltage detector is too sensitive and you can generally ignore it if you know that the battery is newish or known to be good.
BUT - Remember that if you dont follow the above advice, your battery will deteriorate and the Battery Low message must not be ignored.
My Interesting 'Battery experience' ........
Before I had the Tracker removed, I bought a new Bosch battery. It failed after 17 months and was diagnosed to be dead by the Bosch dealer. It was replaced under warranty FOC. I am now convinced that the battery was totally OK when purchased and I murdered the battery by allowing it to discharge and be left in this state on several occasions .
There are many many people who are wondering why their car batteries are knackered during lockdown. - Keep it charged!
Phil Collins
Philipcollins340 said:
Many of the factory fit alarms had fobs supplied to activate the alarm. Also you will have a contract if the alarm is activated.
I bieve that later cars had an App
Phin
L C
It's the tracker people are talking about, not the alarm. Different things.I bieve that later cars had an App
Phin
L C
Even if you do not pay for tracker subscription it can drain the battery. Not subscribing (paying) for the tracker and having it disconnected are different things.
I've not long had a Vanquish and the same thing occurs after perhaps 5 mins or so without the engine running. The dealer has said its perfectly normal due to all the electronics blah blah... but isn't something I experience in any other car which, guess what, also have all the electronics etc. It seems fine once its going again, and I guess better that it tells you than flattens the battery! I was advised to keep it on a battery charger, but as it gets used weekly - even at the moment - I'm not about to go through that particular hassle every time I want to take the car out.
I have the odd other point of dissatisfaction with it but that's by the by...for now!
I have the odd other point of dissatisfaction with it but that's by the by...for now!
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