Volvo support battery

[mcouchard]

Hi all does the support battery only do the start stop or does it also supply the power steering?
I have low battery warning and no start stop it's worked once in two months. The main battery seems fine tested the voltage as is sitting at 12.8/12.9v with the engine off and having left it overnight.
If the support battery only does the start stop, I will leave it but if it is power steering as well it may explain my issues.
Looks like it's a scuttle panel off job and I assume a Volvo only part never seen a second support battery before a very Volvo thing.

[GrahamBrown1]

The support battery runs the cars electrics ect when start stop is in use, ie engine off. You gain access to the battery by removing the main battery. The power steering on later models is hydro electric and is run off the main battery.

Aftermarket versions of the support battery are available. A genuine one from volvo is about the £100 mark. I would remove and test it. You can clear your battery message by resetting the BMS. There are YouTube videos showing you this without the need for a plug in tool.

[The Judderman]

I recently purchased a Varta AGM support battery from Tayna Batteries. I seem to think that it was around the fifty quid mark.
I ordered it after 6PM and I was looking at it the next morning.
I was Well impressed.

[V60white]

Originally Posted by mcouchard

Hi all does the support battery only do the start stop or does it also supply the power steering?
I have low battery warning and no start stop it's worked once in two months. The main battery seems fine tested the voltage as is sitting at 12.8/12.9v with the engine off and having left it overnight.
If the support battery only does the start stop, I will leave it but if it is power steering as well it may explain my issues.
Looks like it's a scuttle panel off job and I assume a Volvo only part never seen a second support battery before a very Volvo thing.

Mine is the same, no stop start, maybe twice its restarted when stalled and I have dipped the clutch. Voltage on my main battery is the same too.
I understand the back up battery can be replaced with a motorcycle battery which is far cheaper than the Volvo version...just need the same spec and size.
I haven't bothered doing anything because I don't like the stop start systems anyway.
My ps is hydraulic...2013 V60

[V60white]

Originally Posted by The Judderman

I recently purchased a Varta AGM support battery from Tayna Batteries. I seem to think that it was around the fifty quid mark.
I ordered it after 6PM and I was looking at it the next morning.
I was Well impressed.

Second that for Tayna batteries, brilliant service from them and always next day delivery.

[mcouchard]

Great thanks all, considering the price of the aftermarket ones I have ordered an Exide EK091 from Tanya was only £45 all in. Not too bothered about the Start Stop but I don't want the alternator trying to charge a dead aux battery plus my fuel consumption has dropped in past two weeks.

Will syrine out and replace the power steering fluid tomorrow with the recommend stuff to rule that out before investigating the steering further.

[V60white]

Originally Posted by mcouchard

Will syrine out and replace the power steering fluid tomorrow with the recommend stuff to rule that out before investigating the steering further.

I have done that with a few cars including my V60, doing three or four syringe clearances over a couple of months. It improves the smoothness no end !!
The Ford fluid is fine, it's in the owners manual anyway as ford spec stuff !!

[mcouchard]

Thanks it appears a fluid change was all that was required, much better after the first change, will see how it goes and do another in a few weeks but night and day improvement already.

[V60white]

Originally Posted by mcouchard

Thanks it appears a fluid change was all that was required, much better after the first change, will see how it goes and do another in a few weeks but night and day improvement already.

Excellent news on the PS !!
Let us know how you get on with the battery change over.

[AndiS60]

Originally Posted by GrahamBrown1

The support battery runs the cars electrics ect when start stop is in use, ie engine off. You gain access to the battery by removing the main battery. The power steering on later models is hydro electric and is run off the main battery.

Aftermarket versions of the support battery are available. A genuine one from volvo is about the £100 mark. I would remove and test it. You can clear your battery message by resetting the BMS. There are YouTube videos showing you this without the need for a plug in tool.

Before you buy anything do as Graham suggests and reset the BMS, easy to do and worked for me....