Hi,

Kids play in the back setas with lights.

Sometimes lights were left on for a long period of time.

I am charging the battery but it does not seem to hold charge.

The question is:

Does anyone ever experienced a battery failure at 2 years old and 14K miles?

Seems premature to me but I don't think the OEM battery is very good.

What is the best replacement?

Interstate?

Thanks

My battery died around 30k. I bought an Interstate Megatron (top of the line). The last thing I worry now about is the battery. They are all I ever buy anymore.

cn-

A number of posts talk about the Volvo battery not being very good. I have found a few things happening on these cars that NO battery could handle. The most common is a voltage drop on the positive cable at the battery clamp. There is a bulletin describing replacement, but personally I repair the cable with a butane torch and solder. Voltage drop MUST be under .3V on both positive and negative circuits. Another problem I have seen is a current draw. Glove box lights and trunk lights are the most common. System draw with the key off should be way under .1 amps, I recall it being around .02-.03 on the last car I checked. Your battery is covered under the new car warranty (50k and 4 years) so don't spend your money on something Volvo will pay for. Just make sure the voltage drops and current draws are ok, along with the replacement battery being fully charged before you leave the dealer.

Hi,

Thanks for your response.

Here is the brief summary:

1.Battery is only for free replacement for 2yr/24K after that pro-rated.

Dealer sells for $105.00 and it is a piece of junk anyway.

I have to pay half of that so about $50-60.

Costo (Oak Brook, IL) sells a MUCH BETTER battery for $55.00

Same guarantee free replacement for 2yr/24K, then pro-rated to 72 months total.

The Kirkland battery (made by Johnson Controls anyway, whick makes Interstate battery)is much better:

28 centimeters long (It fits perfectly on the V70 battery tray)

CCA 800

RC 120 minutes

This Kirkland battery is the same as the Interstate in my 1983 BMW 735i, which performs well for the last 4.5 years in the Chicago weather, so I know this is an excellent battery (this battery went dead twice because of the alternator on this BMW but after recharging it is back to full-speed!).

Plus Costco is open 7 days per week.

If I run into problems, I can always get a replacement with no questions asked.

cn

Mine died over Thanksgiving weekend 1999 at 35k mi.. Dealer replaced it that weekend, free, not pro-rated.

If your dealer will give you a free replacement. I'd take it. Otherwise, rather than pay 1/2 x 2Y$ for a Volvo battery, I'd just pay Y$ for an Interstate or Die-Hard.

-Uncle Olaf

'98 V70T5M, 56k mi., IPD stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate. V-1, Mobil-1 always, Dunlop SP8000s

cn,

The heavy duty "Volvo" battery from the dealer is an Interstate.

Since you are under warranty, have it replaced for free. Just be sure to have them check the electrical/charging system.

BTW mine died at @10K. The dealers know that many of the OEM were bad--don't get pushed around on this.

Bryan

Hi,

volvo batteries are pro rated meaning you should get some percentage off on your replacement batterie. Check your warranty book for details.

PS: If your doors are not all the way shut the red marker lamp will do the drainage.

Reinhard

I've read many posts about the premature death of Volvo batteries lately. The general opinion is that Interstate batteries and those made by Johnson Controls (some Sears Diehards) are excellent replacements.

Batteries are a funny thing. They can last 1 year or 10 years...You can never tell. My was fried by a bad regulator on the alternator (yea, I have a new one of those too!), you can consider yourself lucky and buy a new Volvo battery (if you prefer). Shaking a battery/rough roads will shorten their lifespan too.

If you drive rough/shaky roads, or even not, the best battery IMHO, is an Optima gel cell. The Red Top is appropriate for a Volvo. Costs 2X, but is said to last 2X, and is certainly better than ANY conventional battery.

Link Below.