Sudden battery death?

[Captainjerky]

Hey all,
We have a 2018 Limited on the original battery. Last time I had service done the place told me the battery was low and replace it before it got really cold. Makes sense. I bought a new one but had it in the garage for the weekend since I didn’t have a chance to change it.
Yesterday, it started fine for my wife and she drove it to work. Sat 8 hours in 20 degree weather. When she tried to start it, it cranked for 2 seconds or so and then the starter cut out. Tried again, same thing. She FaceTimed me while she did it. A coworker tried to jump start it but they said the battery didn’t take any charge after 20 minutes.
Ran the new battery out, swapped it, and everything is fine.
Every car I’ve ever owned shows a dying battery by progressively slower and harder starts, usually over the course of days or weeks. You know it’s coming. This car just said “no” and cut out the starter.
Is this some sort of feature? Too many gadgets so there’s a voltage cutout and it just denies the attempt? Why not alert the driver somehow? Even my motorcycle gives me a low battery alert on the display if it’s been sitting too long. I drive her car at times too and there was no traditional indication of a dying battery.
Anyone else have a similar story? This car has been sort of a pain in the ass as of late and I won’t be sad to see it go. Frozen door handles, power running boards with a mind of their own, startup lifter rattle, and the hits keep coming.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Rob6805]

You are lucky the original battery lasted that long. Make sure you reset the BMS now thst you've installed a new one.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hey all,
We have a 2018 Limited on the original battery. Last time I had service done the place told me the battery was low and replace it before it got really cold. Makes sense. I bought a new one but had it in the garage for the weekend since I didn’t have a chance to change it.
Yesterday, it started fine for my wife and she drove it to work. Sat 8 hours in 20 degree weather. When she tried to start it, it cranked for 2 seconds or so and then the starter cut out. Tried again, same thing. She FaceTimed me while she did it. A coworker tried to jump start it but they said the battery didn’t take any charge after 20 minutes.
Ran the new battery out, swapped it, and everything is fine.
Every car I’ve ever owned shows a dying battery by progressively slower and harder starts, usually over the course of days or weeks. You know it’s coming. This car just said “no” and cut out the starter.
Is this some sort of feature? Too many gadgets so there’s a voltage cutout and it just denies the attempt? Why not alert the driver somehow? Even my motorcycle gives me a low battery alert on the display if it’s been sitting too long. I drive her car at times too and there was no traditional indication of a dying battery.
Anyone else have a similar story? This car has been sort of a pain in the ass as of late and I won’t be sad to see it go. Frozen door handles, power running boards with a mind of their own, startup lifter rattle, and the hits keep coming.

Thanks,
Ryan

Modern vehicle batteries die quickly, often without warning.

You were warned by the service facility the battery was in need of replacement.

I proactively replace my car batteries when they reach 3-4 years of age, depending on the upcoming weather (I live in the Midwest with cold winters). I don’t like being stranded, or having my wife stranded, in a dark parking lot somewhere.

Next time, replace the battery when testing indicates it is wearing out.

 

[Captainjerky]

Modern vehicle batteries die quickly, often without warning.

You were warned by the service facility the battery was in need of replacement.

I proactively replace my car batteries when they reach 3-4 years of age, depending on the upcoming weather (I live in the Midwest with cold winters). I don’t like being stranded, or having my wife stranded, in a dark parking lot somewhere.

Next time, replace the battery when testing indicates it is wearing out.

Wow, thanks for the patronizing reply with zero helpful content. You must be fun at parties.

 

[SyndicateZ]

I wouldnt mind my wife being stranded in a dark parking lot miles away. More me time and a quiet house.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Wow, thanks for the patronizing reply with zero helpful content. You must be fun at parties.

You had a six-year old vehicle battery and were told that it was time to replace it.

It failed and left your wife stranded.

I’d be embarrassed to tell others that I knew the battery needed replacing, but lt my wife drive the vehicle anyway -which resulted in her being stranded.

Good luck on your search for information on why a six-year old vehicle battery died, especially after testing showed it was marginal.

 

[Captainjerky]

Like I said, you provided zero helpful information, you self important, condescending dick. I already admitted my mistake and was asking this community of enthusiasts about the technical details of why this vehicle was behaving this way in an attempt to learn more about my car.
Internet tough guy strikes again. I am so humbled by your awesomeness. You must be the smartest and most amazing person you know.

 

[whtbronco]

Actually 99WhiteC5Coupe is pretty darn well informed and frequently offers good advice. He's not being rude or condescending.

Your experience is very common on vehicles in the last 20yrs or so. Such has been my experience at least. They just provide very little warning before the battery can no longer provide enough power to start. Most people notice nothing until it won't start, where as 30yrs ago you knew for a week it was slower to turn over. The older engines also did not start as easily or as fast as modern engines do.

Now days a failing battery in my opinion is an urgent matter or stop driving the vehicle until it's replaced. As you noted there is far too much electronic crap on these vehicles.

 

[LegalBrief]

Boys boys be kind…

New battery needs to be paired to vehicle (BMS). To extend battery life turn off approach lighting, power steps, proximity detection in cold weather

 

[sjwhiteley]

Boys boys be kind…

New battery needs to be paired to vehicle (BMS). To extend battery life turn off approach lighting, power steps, proximity detection in cold weather

I have a 2019, and while the battery seems fine (had zero issues) as noted by the OP, it simply ‘stopped working’. So how is a battery pairing performed?