Volvo Auxiliary Battery Replacement

Why does the Start/Stop malfunction message appear?

Volvo models of the last few years are equipped with two 12V batteries. One extra power battery is used for starting while the other auxiliary battery supports the Start/Stop function’s starting sequence.

The Volvo Start/Stop function switches the engine off temporarily when the car has stopped. This reduces fuel consumption at traffic lights and in traffic jams. While this feature exerts extra strain on the electrical system, the smaller auxiliary battery supports the constant engine starting activity during driving.

However, infrequent car usage and short trips may cause the small auxiliary battery to go flat.

Are there other symptoms of a flat Volvo auxiliary battery?

You will only notice an issue with your Volvo auxiliary battery when the car uses the Start/Stop function. If you experience difficulty with your car starting again the auxiliary battery may have lost its current charge.

A flat Volvo auxiliary battery also creates additional complications such as accessory functions not working. It also exerts strain on the rest of the vehicle’s charging system components.

Hence, it is best that you replace your Volvo auxiliary battery as soon as you diagnose the problem.

What Volvo models are affected by the auxiliary battery malfunction?

Volvo models that are affected by the above auxiliary battery malfunction include:

Volvo S90
Volvo S80
Volvo S60
Volvo XC90
Volvo XC70
Volvo XC60
Volvo V70
Volvo V60
Newer models that are not listed here

Our services

Besides our auxiliary battery replacement services, we are equipped to support many of your vehicular repair needs.

These include:

Car battery jumpstart
Car tyre repair
Car towing
24-hour mobile, on-site car battery replacement service

We are your one-stop shop for professional and affordable car breakdown services in Singapore. If you face any unwanted car breakdown problems, don’t panic. Simply dial our emergency hotline and leave the rest to our experienced mechanics.

Steps to verify and diagnose the auxiliary malfunction

Checking the battery takes less than 20 minutes. All you require is an 8mm socket, ratchet and multimeter or voltmeter.

You can access the auxiliary battery in the back of the engine bay.

Remove the two bolts securing the battery cover over the battery using the 8mm socket.
Set your multimeter to 20V.
Position the red probe on the positive battery terminal and the black probe on the negative terminal.

If the reading on your multimeter is anything less than 12V, it is likely that your battery has an internal fault. You will need to replace the battery.

How do I replace the Volvo auxiliary battery?

To replace the Volvo auxiliary battery, you will need a fresh battery, 8mm socket and a ratchet extension.

Use the 8mm socket (attached to the ratchet extension) to remove the bolt for each battery cable.
Remove the flat battery and replace it with the new one.
Reconnect the battery cables
Secure the battery cover over the battery by tightening the two 8mm bolts using the 8mm socket.

As a safety precaution, it is important to use the ratchet extension so that you do not accidentally arc between the two battery bolts. Also, make sure to tuck the cables aside after removing the mounting bolt to prevent electrical discharge.

Replacing the auxiliary battery should restore complete functionality. You may still see the “Start/Stop service required” message upon starting your car. This message generally disappears after you drive the car for a while.

You can also choose The Battery Shop to replace the Volvo auxiliary battery. Our technicians will ensure that the battery with the right specifications are used. Plus, the batteries are guaranteed to be fresh since they are regularly restocked. All our car battery replacement service customers are entitled to a 6- to 12-months car battery warranty.