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XC40 Undervoltage Issue

I'm experiencing an undervoltage issue with my 2019 Volvo XC40 diesel. It has 155458 km on the clock. I'm getting poor starts, intermittent failures of various systems, weak/flickering lights, and the battery seems weak when starting. I suspect a charging system issue, but I'm not sure where to start beyond checking the battery terminals. Has anyone else seen this?

A 2019 Volvo XC40 diesel with 155,458 km is experiencing an undervoltage issue, leading to poor starts, system failures, and weak lights. The problem is suspected to be related to the charging system. It is suggested to check the battery voltage with a multimeter while the engine is running to determine if the alternator is functioning properly. Ultimately, the issue was resolved by replacing a heavily discharged and defective battery.

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4 comment(s)

Sounds familiar. My old car, not a Volvo, but similar symptoms, turned out to be a bad alternator. Have you checked the battery voltage when the engine is running? Should be around 14V. If it's lower, the alternator isn't charging properly. Also, how old is the battery? Could just be worn out.

Thanks for the reply. Where exactly would I check the battery voltage when running? Directly at the battery terminals with a multimeter? And if the voltage is low, does that definitively point to the alternator, or could there be other culprits?

Yeah, check directly at the terminals with a multimeter while the engine's running. Low voltage pretty much nails it as an alternator issue, or potentially a bad connection somewhere in the charging circuit, but those are rare. Best bet is to take it to a workshop to have them confirm the alternator and replace it.

Understood, thanks for the advice! Took it to the shop, and they confirmed the battery was heavily discharged and defective. New battery installed; total cost 290€. Seems to have resolved all the issues.

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VOLVO

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XC40