I have a 2011 c70. Parked 5 days at the airport and couldn't even unlock the doors. Had to use the cheater key. This is the 3rd time it has happened since having the car. In oct 2012 they updated the software but my guess they need new programmers to write better code. Just not fun to deal with.

 

I took mine back to the dealership in January and left it for them for ten days. They started it after eight days. I was sure they hadn't fixed it. Brought it home and left it parked for 20 days. IT IS FINALLY FIXED. Not sure which software upgrade fixed it. The dealership is Don Beyer right by Dulles Airport. I had three new batteries before the problem was actually fixed. Take it back to the dealership. Before you go contact:
Erica Kirsch
Executive Management Specialist
Volvo Cars of North America
(201) 768-7300 ext. 1994

 

Interesting thing today - went to start my car and it wouldn't turn over but the the lights stayed on. I have driven the car over the past several days so this wasn't expected - after about an hour (when i got home from my son's soccer game) the battery was dead. I hooked the car up to charger will see in the morning if it starts. my neighbor is thinking the alternator .... any other experiences like this?

 

Battery should read 14.1 volts. Take vehicle to autoparts store for complete battery/charging system test for free! Advance Auto or Autozone etc.

 

it was under 14 volts. (My neighbor has all tools known to man - even picked out the battery charger my wife bought me for christmas!) i charged it overnight and it started no problem this morning. am taking it in to the dealer to have them check it over this week. maybe it just needs a software update.

 

Just got back from the dealer - they did software updates and the previous was apparently using Sirius. Although I do not use the service, there was a drain on the battery as it was still wired. the dealer feels that had a lot to do with it. So we will see if this solves the problem.

Side Note - although in the past i have shied away from dealers, i have to say that Darcars in the DC area was very good, attentive and didn't charge me anything for the extra things they did - plus a nice car wash.

 

My car was at DarCars in Frederick when it first had the battery drain issue. They said that there wasn't anything wrong with it. Then it went to Fairfax Volvo for three visits and finally to Don Beyer for two visits before it was finally fixed. I guess by now Volvo realizes that there is a problem and I do suspect it has to do with Sirius radio. My car also has that but I do not subscribe. I am disappointed that the C70 was dropped from the 2014 line-up.

 

If the lighting are dim when the car is operating, it is not charging very well. Though I suspect the problem is not a drain, the best way to find the drain on this car is to disconnect one power supply wire and put a voltmeter between the wire and power supply terminal.

 

I have the same problem with my 2006 C70 the car has now had 3 batteries and a very expensive alternator replacement, if I lock the car it can be fine for a few days, the Led lights are on ,on the locking system other times the battery is flat over night, I think it may be something to do with either the alarm or locking system, can anybody help

 

It must have been a software issue that finally fixed my car. Do you have Sirius radio? Has it been to the dealer for the new batteries, etc?

I posted on Volvo's Facebook page that I was having an issue that the dealer could not resolve. They suggested I contact Customer Service volvoNAcares@volvoforlife.com or phone: 1-800-458-1552.

I was contacted by telephone and my case was monitored by:
Erica Kirsch
Executive Management Specialist
Volvo Cars of North America
(201) 768-7300 ext. 1994

They sent a regional rep to the dealership to review the past service history. In the end, my car was fixed.

Good luck,

 

Hi

have the same problem with my 2001 C70. There is definitely a battery drain and before thinking of replace the alternator the rectifier will be replaced as there is clearly a severe drain on the battery. I can do a round trip of 60 + miles and park the car on return to home and the battery is dead the next day.
I have been disconnecting my battery lead everytime I park now (A REAL PAIN) but at least I do not have the problem anymore just the hassle until the rectifier is renewed.
Hope this gives hope to all with the same problem.

 

I have owned my Volvo C70 for right at a year, I have had multiple battery issues with cables, in fact, just a couple weeks ago, I paid over $700 to replace battery cables after just having the car for a year, and today, same issue, battery dead in its tracks. Very disappointed in Volvo and their service. Guess I need to stick with Mercedes.

 

my cpo 2008 c70 had corroded cables and battery replaced under warranty in 2011 @ 20k miles ($300 for battery, $300 for cables). since then, it's needed a new battery every 3 years pretty much on the dot.

many folks have had sirius fm draining batteries which is fixable with a free software update. non-starting due to failed ignition switches is common as well. but any time a weird electrical issue comes up, 9 times out of 10 it's a dying battery

 

I have a love/hate relationship with my C70. I really wanted the XC90 but ended up with an Acura MDX because I refused to buy another Volvo. Sad, I really want to love this car.

 

Sorry i don't know the brand but it advertises it will hold 20% of the battery power if it detects a power drain when engine off. Also I take vehicles to auto parts stores for full charging/battery tests for free. I also take electrical issues I can not get resolved to auto electrical shops with great success, not auto repair shops or dealers! JMHO!

 

Mine now is an EverStart from Walmart and it works fine, but only after I did two things on my C70:


1. Updated the firmware. They charged me $150 for it because it's out of warranty (how could a software expire? If they wrote a stupid software, it's still stupid even when the Earth ends, isn't it?)


2. Installed a PriorityStart! which will cut off the battery when something is draining it too low to preserve enough power to start the car.


I am with VLVO: I will never buy another Volvo either.

 

Battery should read 12.6V with engine off, 14V+ with engine running and stay in the mid 13s even with full load at idle (lights, blower, rear defrost, AC/DC on stereo etc). You can use a simple VOM to test to see. Common faults are 1) corroded connections/wires 2) low voltage battery drain. To test, sample the current draw with the engine off. Should be low ~ .07A or less... If you see something greater than that time to start pulling fuses to see which circuit is the culprit. Consider all things including glove box light, vanity mirror lights, power antennas, after market starters/DVDs etc and even the alarm system secondary battery. 3) if you suspect its the firmware then you can inquire with the dealer about bulletins or recalls. To those bashing Volvos - considering most car share electrical components from the same vendors, I'd be hard pressed to see what's systemic to Volvo here that won't happen to the same percentage of other makes.

 

Yeah, I think there should be a bulletin to recall all those Volvo bashings... :-)

Name of the bulletin? Give Me Volvo or Give Me Death! :-)

 

The battery was draining because Sirius Radio was continually searching for a satellite signal. I don't use Sirius or have an active account but it was installed on the car.
The dealership did an upgrade to the software of my 2012 Volvo to keep it from looking for a signal.

 

Find a power wire, maybe head light power, run that back to one side of a toggle switch, run the other side down to power the fog lights. The fog lights must be grounded. Simple and cheap. Good luck!