With winter season coming, automobiles tend to suffer, the most common scenario is to have troubles starting your Volvo Xc40 early in the day with very low temperatures. Generally this is associated with problems recharging the battery of your Volvo Xc40 . There are some causes that can explain why your battery does not recharge correctly anymore, and in this article we will try to help you to resolve this problem that can prevent you from using your motor vehicle. To get this done, first we will explain how recharging your car battery works, then the different problems of recharging a Volvo Xc40, and at last how to recharge an empty car battery.
How does recharging the battery of a Volvo Xc40 function?
Before we detail the different problems of recharging the battery on a Volvo Xc40 , we will explain to you how its recharging system works so that you can understand the problems you are struggling with. A motor vehicle battery works like a phone battery, it will store energy to start your Volvo Xc40 , turn on your headlights, enjoy music, lower your power windows… However all these actions will consume energy and it may deplete the energy reserve that your battery can store. To overcome this problem, the engineers have produced a component called the alternator , this component will use the energy produced by the engine of your Volvo Xc40 to create energy thanks to a copper coil and a magnet. This energy will recharge the battery of your motor vehicle . However, keep in mind that this process can only work when your motor vehicle is running, using electrical elements 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 Xc40’s battery
We will now describe the different battery charging problems on a Volvo Xc40 you may be victim of. If your battery is not recharging because there is actually a problem in your electrical set up, we will now see the different cases.
Battery charging problem on Volvo Xc40: My battery is discharging regardless if I am recharging it with a particular charger
In this first case, it is quite possible that your alternator is dead , indeed, if you control to recharge your battery with a charger and your Volvo Xc40 to start, the problem most certainly originates from your alternator which should not be able to create any more current.
Battery charging problem on Volvo Xc40: My motor vehicle shuts off and does not start regardless if I have charged the battery
If you have recharged your battery and you have been able to start your Volvo Xc40 but it switches off although you are driving and then does not start, the problem with recharging the battery of your Volvo Xc40 is that your battery no longer holds the charge .
Battery charging problem on Volvo Xc40: My battery is discharged although it is new
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If you’ve just bought a battery and it discharges although you’re driving, the problem most probably originates from your alternator. It cannot come from your battery, which is new and therefore holds the charge. The second opportunity is that you have a ground somewhere in your electrical system.
How to resolve the problem of battery charging on Volvo Xc40?
We will now give you the solutions according to the problem you are struggling with. Here are the different problems and their solutions:
- Faulty 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 solution, depending on your motor you will pay a few hundred euros. This repair is feasible in the event that your alternator is accessible.
- Battery that no longer holds the charge: In this case, the purchase of a new battery is the only realistic solution. In 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 Xc40 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 Xc40
Finally, to recharge the empty battery of a Volvo Xc40 there are only few solutions, using a battery charger is the most efficient solution, you can find some for 50 to 100 euros at vendors like Oscaro. In any other case you can use cables that will only provide the energy needed to begin.
If you have any additional questions about the Volvo Xc40, do not hesitate to consult our Volvo Xc40 category.
