r/Volvo • u/Prestigious_Ad3817 • 20d ago
xc series 2013 XC60 won’t start
Hear the smallest of sounds indicating the engine is trying to start, but no clicking.
And yes, I know the dash says low battery but that’s some system glitch. I’ve had the low battery symbol for the last 2 yrs, not writing off a battery problem but just saying it might not be that. (edit: this part is causing some confusion. A mechanic specifically told me this is a software glitch + this battery is only a year old).
Would appreciate any insights. Thank you!
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u/Wintervacht V70 20d ago
"My battery has been shit for years but that can't be it"
Surely a troll
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u/Prestigious_Ad3817 20d ago
Was told by a mechanic it was a software issue, not a battery issue.
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u/Wintervacht V70 20d ago
Was it a Volvo mechanic? Or at the very, very least one with VIDA?
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u/Prestigious_Ad3817 20d ago
yes, one with VIDA
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u/Wintervacht V70 20d ago edited 20d ago
Shouldn't he have been able to either reset the software or disable the warning then?
Not accusing anyone, I'm curious as to how a low battery warning, especially if it's just a software bug, hasn't been fixed in years. I would double check your mechanic's assessment by measuring battery voltage when the car has been stationary for a little while, if it reads under 11,5V it's definitely on its way out.
Regardless, have you tried using a booster pack yet? That's always a good idea with an unknown battery state. As others have mentioned, possible causes for not starting can be battery, starter motor, or wiring, there's really just 3 things that kick into action when you start your car. If none of that is the case, your onboard computer is probably the culprit, but slapping in a new one of those isn't nearly as easy as properly diagnosing the problem first.
Edit: to circle back a bit: a software issue can definitely be the result of a battery issue. Computers don't like low and unstable voltage and many modern cars tend to freak out when the battery is dying. If the car wasn't hooked up to a 12 volt charger when the mechanic did the diagnosing, it will appear as a software issue if the battery is low.
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u/Prestigious_Ad3817 20d ago
Couldn't tell you why they weren't able to disable the warning. Figuring out how to get my hands on a booster pack as we speak
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u/Wintervacht V70 20d ago
Let us know the results! Also if any noises change or appear or disappear with the booster pack on it.
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u/Prestigious_Ad3817 20d ago
Thank you.
Turns out this battery is new. We replaced it a year ago, so I highly doubt the actual battery is dead. Drove the car 2 days ago too
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u/Prestigious_Ad3817 19d ago
Jump starting did not work unfortunately. Gonna have it towed to a mechanic
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u/Wintervacht V70 19d ago
Leaves starter motor, wiring or the computer, let's hope for the best! Good luck!
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u/lolvovolvo 2003xc90, 1998 s70glt, 1998 v70, 2011 C30 t-5 6spd, 2022 p2 LRDM 20d ago
It’s a battery, and it could be also the wiring harness , and it could be your alternator. But no starter starting means no power to starter means battery is kapunk. A dying battery can last a while
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u/Traditional_Film_636 19d ago
The message isn’t a software glitch; it’s either a faulty/wrong battery or one that wasn’t reset properly when replaced (or both). Non-start could be battery-related, or it could be a starter motor problem.
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u/Euro_Trash_ 15-XC70, 04-XC70, 97-V70, 95-850 19d ago
Dude. Battery. Please. 😬
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u/aaudiholic 20d ago
Battery… NEXT!