Can’t access the car

[KH11]

Can’t get in the car tried both keys and emergency key sent for the AA

 

[webhiker]

Why does the physical emergency key not work?

 

[KH11]

It fits but still not opening

AA back out and cleared the fault codes told to keep an eye on it and make sure that everything is off when locked but he said there has been a few different car makes with an unexplained battery drain.

What is the procedure that people are using to clear these fault codes by themselves after encountering a flat battery problem then I can write it down. Rather than me calling the AA if I can clear them myself it would save a call. Although to be fair the AA man that came had no issue and was very chatty.

 

[KH11]

Was doing it wrong so far as the key AA been and shown me how to get in. Haven’t had to do this before anyway he said it is a flat battery and something has drained it either the ignition or something has been left on got it fired up and been told to give it 20 minutes for the big battery to charge the 12 volt battery.

Got all sorts of warning lights on the dash will they disappear once driving or is there something else going on

 

[Rolfe]

Any idea what might have caused the battery to go flat? This makes me wonder if we should all try our emergency physical keys to make sure we know how to use them before we suddenly find we have to.

 

[KH11]

No he says either something has been left on or the ignition hasn’t switched off properly even though I had locked the doors and everything went off ok as best as I could see.

But still got all these warnings on the dash display so don’t know if I can drive it or not can’t get auto hold to set either

 

[MAJ]

Suggest getting a 12volt battery drop test (this is not physically dropping the battery).
This involves applying a heavy load, (high current/amps) and checking volt drop.
Most battery tyre centres can do this.

 

[KH11]

Got the AA coming out again after ringing them again and they said they would likely go out after it has been driven. Done that and they haven’t on locking the car up and opening it again and sitting in the seat several pop ups to say various systems not available and the EPS on reduced power and auto hold not available.

Sounds like something major is wrong and not just a flat battery to me?

 

[Rolfe]

It might clear if you disconnected the 12v, left it for a bit, and reconnected. You'd have to do that thing with the steering wheel and windows afterwards.

 

[Bam Bam]

What is the procedure that people are using to clear these fault codes by themselves after encountering a flat battery problem then I can write it down. Rather than me calling the AA if I can clear them myself it would save a call. Although to be fair the AA man that came had no issue and was very chatty.

I've found that sometimes shutting the car off (or getting out and locking it and then getting back in) will clear the error messages. Sometimes they disappear after driving a short distance as well.

Disconcerting though - hopefully this was a one-off.

Our previous (petrol) car had a battery drain issue. It was a big annoyance having to charge the battery a couple of times a week to keep it topped up, and eventually we got a remote kill switch for it, but I wouldn't like to do that with an EV.

 

[Rolfe]

I had a phantom drain issue with my Peugeot, but the car was at least ten years old at the time and we're talking 2008. I wouldn't expect to have an issue like this on a fairly new car in 2024.

 

[KH11]

I've found that sometimes shutting the car off (or getting out and locking it and then getting back in) will clear the error messages. Sometimes they disappear after driving a short distance as well.

Disconcerting though - hopefully this was a one-off.

Our previous (petrol) car had a battery drain issue. It was a big annoyance having to charge the battery a couple of times a week to keep it topped up, and eventually we got a remote kill switch for it, but I wouldn't like to do that with an EV.

I did all that but seemed to stay on. I have been out in it since the second AA man has been and reset everything. The car has behaved normally and I have parked it up in the garage and locked it but remained with it to make sure everything's has gone off, interior dash outside lights, interior lights etc

I will see what it’s like in the morning hopefully just a one off issue.

 

[tsedge]

No he says either something has been left on or the ignition hasn’t switched off properly even though I had locked the doors and everything went off ok as best as I could see.

But still got all these warnings on the dash display so don’t know if I can drive it or not can’t get auto hold to set either

Warnings are normal after 12V battery problems, they should clear, if the car lets you drive it should be ok but obviously you may not have cruise control, auto emergency braking and lane keep assist.

Normal procedure after 12V battery is reconnected/boosted is:

• reset windows: put each one all the way down and then all the way up.
• reset steering: turn all the way left then all the way right.
• reset systems: by driving, they should reset relatively quickly.

Can you share what you were doing wrong with the emergency key, for the benefit of others?

 

[KH11]

Warnings are normal after 12V battery problems, they should clear, if the car lets you drive it should be ok but obviously you may not have cruise control, auto emergency braking and lane keep assist.

Normal procedure after 12V battery is reconnected/boosted is:

• reset windows: put each one all the way down and then all the way up.
• reset steering: turn all the way left then all the way right.
• reset systems: by driving, they should reset relatively quickly.

Thanks for that, I knew it had been mentioned before but didn’t know which thread to look at to find it. I have taken a screenshot of what you have said and I’ll save it on my phone for reference. Thanks again

Can you share what you were doing wrong with the emergency key, for the benefit of others?

As I hadn’t done it before I had remembered someone saying that there was a slot underneath the handle which I had located and the key fitted but nothing happened. I hadn’t realised that doing this was to release the left hand part of the driver side handle which covers the actual car key lock. Once that had been located then the key opened the door. Everyday is a School Day lol

 

[AndyL61]

Make sure the 12v battery terminals are tight. The AA should have checked but if not it's worth checking.

 

[KH11]

Make sure the 12v battery terminals are tight. The AA should have checked but if not it's worth checking.

Yes he checked the terminals that was the first thing he did when he got under the bonnet

 

[Rolfe]

We need this video again, don't we?

 

[Ian Key]

@KH11 there is a software bug that causes some cars traction battery not to charge the 12v battery unless the car is charging or switched on. Contact your dealer and get them to update the software.

 

[KH11]

We need this video again, don't we?

Thank you for this very informative

 

[KH11]

@KH11 there is a software bug that causes some cars traction battery not to charge the 12v battery unless the car is charging or switched on. Contact your dealer and get them to update the software.

Seems to be okay this morning but if it happens again I’ll contact the dealer as suggested although it has supposed to have had some battery management updates at the service in June unless that has caused a bug as I haven’t had this problem before in 21 months of ownership.