Late 2021 1.5TS Estate. Alarm went off recently that I couldn't stop, it went on for 5 minutes. Dealer workshop guy said probably low battery warning but seemed a bit vague! Checked battery with multimeter, reading 11.95V after standing overnight. Charged it for a few hours until charger indicated Max. The reading was then 13.5V. Started car, tickover reading 14.4V. Overnight, back to 11.95V.
According to most sources 11.95V at rest indicates a goosed battery. HOWEVER: at no point has the car given me a red, or even amber, battery warning light. In fact, there isn't even a battery light of any sort that comes on when the ignition is switched on (unlike every other car I've ever owned), car also starts instantly on the button as it always has.
Can anyone give me any pointers as to whether the battery should be replaced, or even where the battery light is?
Any assistance greatly appreciated before throwing over a ton at a replacement battery that might not be required.

Edited 2 July, 20232 yr by Tried5UserNames

If the battery was fully charged, and down to 11.9v in morning then probably not the battery failing, but something draining it.

 

Common ones are boot light switch bent or faulty so light stays on, interior light similarly staying on (try turning off manually at switch instead of doors setting, to check), something plugged in (usb or lighter socket, or socket in boot), a cable fault (broken insulation) causing something to turn on etc

On 02/07/2023 at 12:34, Tried5UserNames said:

Late 2021 1.5TS Estate. Alarm went off recently that I couldn't stop, it went on for 5 minutes. Dealer workshop guy said probably low battery warning but seemed a bit vague! Checked battery with multimeter, reading 11.95V after standing overnight. Charged it for a few hours until charger indicated Max. The reading was then 13.5V. Started car, tickover reading 14.4V. Overnight, back to 11.95V.
According to most sources 11.95V at rest indicates a goosed battery. HOWEVER: at no point has the car given me a red, or even amber, battery warning light. In fact, there isn't even a battery light of any sort that comes on when the ignition is switched on (unlike every other car I've ever owned), car also starts instantly on the button as it always has.
Can anyone give me any pointers as to whether the battery should be replaced, or even where the battery light is?
Any assistance greatly appreciated before throwing over a ton at a replacement battery that might not be required.

I would not say that 11.95 is a goosed battery, as a lot of charging systems now have variable charging, that means if the battery needs charging it will, one thing I have noticed batteries now seem to be at a lower voltage than they used to be.

But as surryJohn says  there could be  a drain on the battery, but one thing you have not said is how many miles a day do you drive, and have you replaced the battery at any time ?

 

 

On 02/07/2023 at 12:34, Tried5UserNames said:

Charged it for a few hours until charger indicated Max

Is it a Stop/Start Battery and did you charge it on the car?

 

Thanks. AG Falco

On 06/07/2023 at 18:26, RADIOTWO said:

I would not say that 11.95 is a goosed battery, as a lot of charging systems now have variable charging, that means if the battery needs charging it will, one thing I have noticed batteries now seem to be at a lower voltage than they used to be.

But as surryJohn says  there could be  a drain on the battery, but one thing you have not said is how many miles a day do you drive, and have you replaced the battery at any time ?

Hi RADIOTWO, I only do a six mile round trip to work 5 das a week and various longer journies up to 60 miles on the other days. Looks like the battery is original as it's a Varta. The car is ex demo' and had done 3300mls when purchased which I have doubled.

 

 

Edited 7 July, 20232 yr by Tried5UserNames

2 hours ago, AGFalco said:

Is it a Stop/Start Battery and did you charge it on the car?

 

Thanks. AG Falco

Hi AG Falco, the car has Stop/Start and I'm fairly certain that the battery is original so I have to assume it has S/S capability. I charged it on the car as per the Skoda online manual.

21 hours ago, Tried5UserNames said:

I charged it on the car as per the Skoda online manual.

With a smart charger and not connected to the Negative battery terminal?

 

My Stop/Start battery is still good from June 2016 at 73K miles.

 

On 02/07/2023 at 13:45, SurreyJohn said:

If the battery was fully charged, and down to 11.9v in morning then probably not the battery failing, but something draining it.

I would agree with this. 

Is a 2021 battery still in warranty?

 

Is it an AGM or an EFB battery?

Check the top of the battery.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

2 hours ago, AGFalco said:

With a smart charger and not connected to the Negative battery terminal?

 

My Stop/Start battery is still good from June 2016 at 73K miles.

 

I would agree with this. 

Is a 2021 battery still in warranty?

 

Is it an AGM or an EFB battery?

Check the top of the battery.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

It's an EFB battery, I charged it with a NOCO Genius 5 on standard setting and with negative charger croc' connected to remote terminal on bulkhead. Not had any alarms going off since and car starts first push of the button as it always has. Stop/start's turned off on mine though, as I find it an irritant.

provided the battery tests ok on a test, I'd suggest looking for parasitic drain while the car is fully shut down - correct procedure can be found by searching on the forum. Even with variable charging from the alternator, battery standing voltage should not be allowed to drop below 12 volts, as this can cause long-term damage.   

Edited 8 July, 20232 yr by Warrior193
extra note

Over there @skodacommunity.de I read several reports about failing batteries. One way to make shure the battery itself is OK is to unplug the charged battery after some driving and check / write down the voltage and check it again next day. In case the voltage still drops off in the same tempo you likely have ruled out the car. Still the car might have issues leading to intermittent electronic "wake ups" hurting the batteries lifetime.