V40 Battery Issues

Hi, I've got a 2003 Volvo V40 with a gasoline engine that's giving me some grief. The battery seems weak when starting, especially in the cold, and the lights are flickering at times. The car has 224688 km on the clock. I've checked the battery voltage, and it seems a bit low, even after a decent run. I suspect the battery sensor might be faulty. Has anyone experienced something similar?

4 comment(s)

Whoa, sounds eerily familiar! I had almost the exact same symptoms with my V40 last year – the lights flickering like a disco ball and the engine barely turning over sometimes. Have you checked the battery terminals for corrosion? That was my first thought, but it turned out to be something else entirely. Did you get any error codes?

Good point about the terminals, I did give them a clean, but no luck. I don't have an OBD reader, so no error codes to report, unfortunately. What was the 'something else' in your case? Was it the battery sensor?

Yep, bingo! Turned out it was the battery sensor. The voltage regulator was going haywire, not charging the battery correctly. It's like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it, the alternator is working but the battery never gets a full charge. Honestly, I'd take it to a workshop. They can properly diagnose it and replace the sensor if needed. Cost me around 300€, I think. But hey, at least no more disco lights!

Thanks for the insight! I'll get it checked out at the workshop then. Sounds like the battery sensor is the likely culprit. Just got a quote for 315€ including the replacement. Hopefully, that'll sort it out. Appreciate the help!

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