Volvo Car USA LLC

Technical Journal

Technical Journal Title

Ref. No.

SPA/CMA - 12V Battery Testing / Maintenance Guide TJ 36845.1.3
Issuer (Dept.)

Issue Date

Status Date

Technical Service

2/22/24

2/29/24

Car Market

Partner

Function Group

United States and Canada 3 US 7510 Volvo Car USA 3110
Function Description

Page

Battery

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Rows beginning with * are modified
Note! If using a printed copy of this Technical Journal, first check for the latest online version.

DESCRIPTION:
This Technical Journal is for informational purposes, and to be used as reference material when
charging, maintaining, and/or testing 12V batteries for SPA/CMA vehicles.
Effective immediately, if there is not a NEW VIDA readout prior to testing, charging, and/or
replacing a 12V battery, no claim will be accepted under Warranty.
*Please note: If the 12V battery is dead, the battery may need to be jumped and charged prior to
the above step. As a best practice, ensure there is an adequate amount of fuel in the vehicle prior to
jump starting as to not damage the Mid-Voltage Battery Module (MVBM).
To ensure battery health and improve customer satisfaction, a battery charger/maintainer MUST
BE connected to the charging posts in the engine compartment while performing a scheduled
maintenance event, software download, or any other service/warranty related visit.
For vehicles stored in Transport mode, please ensure the 12V battery is maintained according to the
Stock Maintenance Checklist (VIDA). For vehicles stored in Normal mode, the 12V battery should be
maintained every 14 days.
Please refer to Shop Equipment Bulletin 017 “12 Volt Battery Maintainer and Charger
Requirements” on the Retailer Portal for workshop equipment requirements.
For additional information related to 12V Battery Testing / Maintenance, please follow advice under
“Service”.

CSC Customer Symptom Codes
Code

Description

7B

Starting/Engine does not start/Engine does not turn/No clicking sound at start attempt

AA

Starting/Engine does not start/Engine turns

AB

Starting/Engine hard to start/cranks slowly/Unsure when/at all times

AC

Starting/Engine hard to start/cranks slowly/After use

AD

Starting/Engine hard to start/cranks slowly/Cold start

BE

Starting/Engine does not start/Engine does not turn/Unsure when/at all times

BF

Starting/Engine does not start/Engine does not turn/Clicking sound at start attempt

Technical Journal 36845.1.3
Code

Description

BJ

Starting/Engine does not start/Unsure when/at all times

LM

12 V main battery/Dead battery

LN

12 V main battery/Weak or low electrical power

6J

Text window and warning symbol/Low battery

DTC Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Vehicle Type
Type

Eng

Eng
Desc

Sales

Body

Gear

Steer

Model Year

Plant

Chassis range

Struc Week
Range

224

2019-9999

-

201835-999952

225

2019-9999

-

201817-999952

234

2017-9999

-

201617-999952

235

2017-9999

-

201624-999952

236

2017-9999

-

201646-999952

238

2018-9999

-

201710-999952

246

2018-9999

-

201717-999952

256

2016-9999

-

201508-999952

536

2019-9999

-

201747-999952

539

2022-9999

-

202142-999952

SERVICE:
Main Battery Testing: SPA/CMA vehicles only
After capturing a NEW VIDA readout, conduct the following steps in VIDA:
Diagnostics --> Fault Tracing --> Select the corresponding “Symptom” and “Function” -->
“Component test: Main Battery”
This sequence will evaluate the battery condition based on long-term data measured by the vehicle’s
on-board battery diagnostics. If a deeper analysis of the battery is needed, or if the battery is
suspected to be faulty, VIDA will guide the technician through the testing procedure, and provide a
warranty authorization code should the battery need to be replaced.
Please refer to TJ 36189 for specific information regarding Quiescent Current draw on 12V batteries.

Warranty claim info:
Effective immediately, if there is not VIDA readout prior to testing, charging, and or replacing a
battery, no claim will be accepted under Warranty.
Battery tests and replacements will be covered under New Car Warranty (01) when the vehicle
is still under Warranty, there is a demonstrable, warrantable defect, and the results of the above
testing determine that replacement is necessary.

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2024-02-29

Technical Journal 36845.1.3
*The VIDA 12V main battery diagnostic may prompt you to charge the battery for one hour
and re-test. If after doing so, you are prompted to charge the battery again, this may be
an indicator of poor charge acceptance. To obtain a valid failure code in this situation, use
the handheld tester (Volvo PN 9513212 (9513030), Model BT3300) to test the battery.
Authorization codes generated by the BT3300 tester will only be accepted on SPA and CMA
if this condition applies.
The battery code retrieved must be provided in the repair text (refer to 206.010 - Claim Preparation
- Condition Repair Text).
The serial number of the old and new batteries are also required to be included in the repair text for
12V Main Batteries ONLY. See the attachments for reference/location of the serial numbers. If there
is a serial number in both locations, use the number that is on the top of the battery.
The authorization code from the battery test must also be printed and attached to the hard copy of
the repair order.

VST Operation Number
VST Operation Number

Description

31102-3

Battery Replace

31122-2

Battery Condition Check

VEHICLE REPORT:
If you experience issues charging, testing, or maintaining the battery utilizing the standards outlined
in this Technical Journal and associated resources, please submit a “Support Needed” vehicle
report.

2024-02-29

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