With winter coming, automobiles tend to suffer, the most common scenario is to have difficulties starting your volvo v40 early in the day with very low temperatures. In general this is related to problems recharging the battery of your volvo v40 . There are some reasons that can describe why your battery does not recharge properly anymore, and in this article we will try to help you to resolve this issue that can prevent you from using your motor vehicle. To get this done, first we will describe how recharging your car battery works, then the different problems of recharging a volvo v40, and at last how to recharge an empty car battery.

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How does recharging the battery of a volvo v40 function?

Before we describe the different complications of recharging the battery on a volvo v40 , we will describe to you how its recharging system operates so that you can figure out the complications you are facing. A motor vehicle battery works like a phone battery, it will store energy to start your volvo v40 , turn on your headlights, enjoy music, lower your power windows… However all these actions will consume energy and it may possibly deplete the energy reserve that your battery can store. To handle this issue, the engineers have developed a component called the alternator , this component will use the energy produced by the engine of your volvo v40 to generate energy thanks to a copper coil and a magnet. This energy will recharge the battery of your motor vehicle . However, bear in mind that this process can only work when your motor vehicle is running, using electrical components of your motor vehicle when it is stopped will decrease the energy reserve of your motor vehicle. It is considered that a battery of a xxx has a life span of 3 to 5 years.

Problems recharging a volvo v40’s battery

We will now describe the different battery charging complications on a volvo v40 you might be victim of. If your battery is not recharging because there is actually a issue in your electrical installation, we will now see the different cases.

Battery charging problem on volvo v40: My battery is discharging even if I am recharging it with a specific charger

In this first case, it is quite possible that your alternator is dead , obviously, if you control to recharge your battery with a charger and your volvo v40 to start, the problem obviously originates from your alternator which should not be able to generate any more current.

Battery charging issue on volvo v40: My motor vehicle shuts off and does not start even if I have charged the battery

If you have recharged your battery and you have managed to start your volvo v40 but it switches off while you are driving and then does not start, the trouble with recharging the battery of your volvo v40 is that your battery no longer holds the charge .

Battery charging issue on volvo v40: My battery is discharged although it is new

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If you’ve just bought a battery and it discharges while you’re driving, the issue most probably originates from your alternator. It cannot result from your battery, which is new and consequently holds the charge. The second opportunity is that you have a ground somewhere in your electrical system.

How to resolve the issue of battery charging on volvo v40?

We will now give you the solutions according to the issue you are facing. Here are the different complications and their solutions:

  • Defective alternator: You can try with basic mechanics to check it with a pressure gauge to see if it’s producing power. If it doesn’t, replacing it is the best remedy, depending on your motor you will pay a few hundred euros. This fix is feasible in the event your alternator is accessible.
  • Battery that no longer holds the charge: In such a case, the purchase of a new battery is the only realistic remedy. In actual fact, if you have already recharged it but it is still empty because it is good to be replaced, count between 60 and 100 euros depending on your engine.
  • Ground in the electrical circuit: If you cannot start your volvo v40 but your alternator and battery are in good condition, it is possible that you have a ground on your wiring harness and that you lose energy, a check by a motor vehicle electrician is in such a case necessary.

How to recharge an empty battery of a volvo v40

Finally, to recharge the empty battery of a volvo v40 there are only few solutions, using a battery charger is the most efficient remedy, you can find some for 50 to 100 euros at vendors like Oscaro. Otherwise you can use cables that will only provide the energy needed to begin.

If you need more guides on the volvo v40, go to our volvo v40 category.