Kangoo Electric Undervoltage

Hi, I'm having trouble with my 2022 Renault Kangoo Electric. It's got about 164080 km on it. I'm getting an undervoltage warning. The car is difficult to start, and some of the systems seem to be failing intermittently. I've also noticed the lights are weak and flickering, and the battery seems weak when starting. I suspect the battery is heavily discharged or defective. Any ideas what could be causing this? I have checked that all connections are secure and that there is no parasitic drain while parked.

4 comment(s)

Good day! I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing difficulties with your Renault Kangoo. I had a very similar problem with my old Peugeot 208 (petrol engine). The symptoms you describe such as difficult starting, system failures, weak lights, and a weak battery, are typical signs of an electrical problem. Considering you're getting an undervoltage warning, the charging system might be faulty. Now, I am no expert, but my problem was an issue with the alternator. The alternator is responsible for recharging the battery while the engine is running. When it fails, the battery discharges, leading to all sorts of electrical problems. Did you verify the alternator output?

Thanks for the quick response! I haven't specifically tested the alternator output on my Kangoo Electric since it doesn't have an alternator like a traditional combustion engine car. Do you know what component in an electric vehicle would perform the same function as the alternator?

Ah, my apologies! I had assumed it was a typical combustion engine. Electric vehicles have a DC-DC converter. It transforms high-voltage DC power from the battery into lower voltage DC power to charge the 12V battery and power all car's accessories. If your Kangoo is showing undervoltage, the DC-DC converter may be defective or there is some issue with the battery itself. Given the complexity, I would highly recommend taking it to a qualified workshop. They have the diagnostic tools to pinpoint the exact cause and avoid any further damage. Best of luck!

Thanks for the advice and clarification! I took it to a local mechanic who diagnosed a faulty DC-DC converter, which was not charging the 12V battery correctly. The repair cost was 290€. Everything seems to be working fine now.

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