Hi,
I have read many threads and responses on Leaf 12V battery charging issues on this forum, but I was hoping by describing my specific problem, someone might offer a suggestion or see a solution.
Description of Issue:
The 12V battery is two months old and accepts a trickle charge so I do not think it is defective.
When the car is parked at home, which I have identified as a charging point, and NOT plugged in (say I took a short trip and still have 92%), I some times come out and the battery is dead. So dead that I can't even open the charging port. Nothing responds.
I have never had a dead battery at work.
Recently, a couple of times, I have gotten the dreaded EV System Warning light. But this is intermittent. I also get a dead battery without any warning lights on.
When the battery is drained, I trickle charge it and then it works again for a while, until the next time it drains.
I took it to Nissan and they could not detect anything. They said it had no error codes stored or any detectable problems.
I was worried about the security system draining the battery and wanted it disabled, but he said it draws very little current and it cannot be disabled. He sent me on my way and a couple of days later, I was back on the "drain-trickle-charge" wheel.
So here are a few questions, in no particular order, and I would appreciate any ideas.
Q1) The other day, with a dead battery, I couldn't even open the rear hatch door (the other doors were fine). When I connected the trickle charger, the hatch opened. Is this at all related to the battery? I keep suspecting the car's security system so I was wondering exactly what is connected to it?
Q2) I cannot be sure, but this seems to have started around the same time as a new telematics was put in for the 4G network. Could this be relevant?
Q3) I believe that the battery has never drained unless it was NOT plugged in for charging. "So always plug it in" is a reasonable reply, although I was trying to do as few plug-in cycles as possible to maximize battery life. Anyway, my question is: Does the Leaf plug-in charger have any kind of reset or other "system clear" procedure?
Q4) Finally, is there anything akin to a "firmware update" that would fix this? If so, please be specific because my Nissan dealer does not inspire confidence. I would have to say exactly what I want done. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
B
I have read many threads and responses on Leaf 12V battery charging issues on this forum, but I was hoping by describing my specific problem, someone might offer a suggestion or see a solution.
Description of Issue:
The 12V battery is two months old and accepts a trickle charge so I do not think it is defective.
When the car is parked at home, which I have identified as a charging point, and NOT plugged in (say I took a short trip and still have 92%), I some times come out and the battery is dead. So dead that I can't even open the charging port. Nothing responds.
I have never had a dead battery at work.
Recently, a couple of times, I have gotten the dreaded EV System Warning light. But this is intermittent. I also get a dead battery without any warning lights on.
When the battery is drained, I trickle charge it and then it works again for a while, until the next time it drains.
I took it to Nissan and they could not detect anything. They said it had no error codes stored or any detectable problems.
I was worried about the security system draining the battery and wanted it disabled, but he said it draws very little current and it cannot be disabled. He sent me on my way and a couple of days later, I was back on the "drain-trickle-charge" wheel.
So here are a few questions, in no particular order, and I would appreciate any ideas.
Q1) The other day, with a dead battery, I couldn't even open the rear hatch door (the other doors were fine). When I connected the trickle charger, the hatch opened. Is this at all related to the battery? I keep suspecting the car's security system so I was wondering exactly what is connected to it?
Q2) I cannot be sure, but this seems to have started around the same time as a new telematics was put in for the 4G network. Could this be relevant?
Q3) I believe that the battery has never drained unless it was NOT plugged in for charging. "So always plug it in" is a reasonable reply, although I was trying to do as few plug-in cycles as possible to maximize battery life. Anyway, my question is: Does the Leaf plug-in charger have any kind of reset or other "system clear" procedure?
Q4) Finally, is there anything akin to a "firmware update" that would fix this? If so, please be specific because my Nissan dealer does not inspire confidence. I would have to say exactly what I want done. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
B