Recently i got message on my dashboard. Battery 12v weak - stop your vehicle in safe location.
1. Quote from dealer $305 for oem battery
I went to costco purchased ENERGIZER AGM H8 battery for $199
after 2h replacement of the trunk battery in garage. Message still there.
2. I found out that there is a other battery under the hood. Measured voltage 5v ! Instead 12
purchased from dealer at $111 . 15 minutes replacement - SUCCESS . Message is gone , both bayteries changed after 5 years of driving. Total spent $320 and 3 hours of my time.
pictures of the batteries below.


Battery alarm on 2016 , 2017, 2018, 2019 , 2020 volvo xc90

Supplement battery location

 

Did you put on an external power supply when replacing the main battery? Did you need to reset the battery sensor or did all just work ok? I have the battery but wondering if i'll need to do anything more. Thanks!

 

hi, to change small 12V battery under the Hood , I did not connected any external power supply or did not have to reset any sensors.
battery error dissapeared after I replaced it and turned on the vehicle . ALL WORKED PERFECT.

with regards to the main battery in the trunk same procedure, no power supply and no sensor reset required on my 2016 Volvo XC90 inscription.

 

Thanks! I think we're lucky because we have 2 batteries so when you remove one the other still provides power so you don't lose settings and the VIDA doesn't get messed up. I think later models only have one battery so you need an external source to keep everything up while you swap the new battery. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ1SGYY0lUE

 

The BMS does need to be reset when replacing the main battery.

 

Did you have to do any programming (battery) after replacing the batteries? My dealer says programming is required on my XC90 2016.
Thank you

 

No mine didn't require any additional programming. I went to my local repair shop (great place) and they were able to do it with no problems.

 

The battery monitoring system should be reset - yes you can simply put a battery in and the car will work - so you don't "have" to do anything else for the car to start and drive - but VIDA clearly wants you to tell the CEM a new main battery is present. Don't know what happens if you don't - let's get a control group started!

 

Hi, I also though so. I replaced big battery ( in the back of the car in TRUNK ) then I replaced small battery ( AUTO START ) in engine compartment . None of them required any programming after replacement.
It is possible that VOLVO software, if not updated, will prompt me in later time to change battery because it should be replaced after 5 or more years.
Low battery voltage error was gone after replacement and never returned since. Car is working fine.

 

You are correct - no programming is "REQUIRED". The car will start and drive as normal - it may not charge the battery as it should for a new battery, but it will drive.

The car will not tell you to "reset the BMS" or "replace the battery". The car does not know you changed the battery and is counting on service providers to follow the directions in the service manual when things are done to the car. Yes a battery change is simple, and for a hundred years there was no such thing as a Battery monitoring system. I think BMW was the first to use it - in the early 2000s? Volvo started in about 2010.

For instance - if you pay someone to do an oil and filter change - but they just charge you and don't actually do it - The car will not/does not know that - the CEM will turn on a service reminder light after x miles.time - but if that's reset the car does not know. There is no service reminder light for a battery change/BMS reset.