AGM battery replacement - or maybe not, who knows what's wrong with it

Rotty

Rotty

Rotty

Don
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
42,111
Location
Notts
Looks like I need a new battery on the F type but main dealer wants about 300 quid :eek:

Pretty sure it's a AGM battery and can get one for 150-160 ish

normally fitting a battery is a doddle but I've read a couple of sites that said that new AGM batteries have to be "programmed to the car"

anyone know anything about this?
 
Some info on AGM battery programming here, I appreciate its for a totally different car but the opening post goes some way to explaining things: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=473109

The ECU regulates how the battery is charged depending the amp-hour rating, and sometimes the battery health.

I believe that the detection of battery health is only relevant to some cars which have AGM batteries. If the F-Type does not check battery health then you shouldn't require any re-programming as long as your replacement battery has the same specifications as the original. If it does, presumably it is something which can be re-set by a main dealer.

Depending on the issue you are having however, it may not be the main battery, apparently the F-Type has two batteries, one for the electrics and one for cranking the engine: http://www.f-typeclub.com/forums/jaguar-f-type-general-discussion/600-two-batteries-your-f-type.html
 
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yes, its throwing up all sorts of odd errors and dealer has suggested battery maybe cause, will find out tomorrow

the main battery cranks the engine on initial start and runs rest of car and the lithium battery does the stop/start (which I usually don't have on)

the programming looks a pain and night tie me to main dealer by look of it :(
 
How old is the car - surely no more than a couple of years old? If a battery has failed after such a short time, this should be a warranty thing.
 
Multiple unrelated errors is a good indication of an iffy battery.
Goto Halfords and ask if they can suppy+fit. If yours needs to be coded then it's unlikely they will have the equipment to do this. They prefer to turn down the more involved jobs especially given that their staff aren't mechanics.
 
Rotty said:
yes, its throwing up all sorts of odd errors and dealer has suggested battery maybe cause, will find out tomorrow

the main battery cranks the engine on initial start and runs rest of car and the lithium battery does the stop/start (which I usually don't have on)

the programming looks a pain and night tie me to main dealer by look of it :(
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Smaller battery just keeps everything supplied during engine cranking when the main voltage drops. Its not lithium. F Type has a battery monitering system as UK models are all stop/start. Vehicles fitted with a Battery Monitoring System (BMS), the BMS module must be reset following the installation of a new battery. The BMS module reset procedure must be performed using an approved diagnostic system.

Batteries are a bit of a weak point with too much sleep drain occuring and sometimes the initial install of the battery and BMS is incorrect to prevent accurate measurement from day 1.

Dealer need to ensure if they run a battery system check they have the latest SDD DVD142.06 and Calibration File 215 loaded or later judging by the latest TopiX data i can see.
 
Workshop manual > battery (86.15.01)

90Ah Varta T8

NOTE:
This step is only necessary when installing a new battery.

Using Jaguar approved diagnostic equipment, reset the battery monitoring system (BMS).
 
[TW]Fox;30370938 said:
Unless it has approved used warranty then it wouldn't cover the battery unfortunately (Even the very good manufacturer backed extended policies exclude the battery).
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It is approved used warranty but don't think it's covered
 
Rotty said:
It is approved used warranty but don't think it's covered
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It is for other marques, so check that.

Edit: just checked, it doesn't. Poor show as the competition does. Seems jaguar only like to see themselves as a premium marque when it suits them...
 
It seems the normal working life of a AGM battery on the M3 forums at least appears to be about 3 years. Short trips seem to really make them suffer!

Most of us have a Ctek charger to keep the battery life healthy but don't expect more than 5 years out of these batteries.

EDIT- Also as stated above they do need to be programmed to the car, although some BMW guys do it themselves, which makes me think it isn't particularly complicated and you probably don't need £££s worth of kit. So apparently there is some software called Carly (google it) which offers you to buy an in-app battery rest coding to the car (you need to buy the adaptor too - about £55) and it allows you to get the entire job done!
 
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I have a ctek so may give it a blast on that before resorting to paying for a new one


I am making an assumption it is AGM, will check properly when I get car back
 
[TW]Fox;30371214 said:
It is for other marques, so check that.

Edit: just checked, it doesn't. Poor show as the competition does. Seems jaguar only like to see themselves as a premium marque when it suits them...
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Whats the price difference between the approved warranty you are comparing?

The 3 years standard warranty does however cover it.
 
[TW]Fox;30370867 said:
That's terrible for an OEM battery!
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How can you say that on a used car? The battery could have been left to go flat by the previous owner and sulphated the plates....

Can't blame the battery unless you 100% know the history.
 
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