Average battery life?

[devilmaycare]

Thanks to all who have provided comments. I suppose I should check the battery fluid first, as I've never done this before - always assumed the garage would do it during servicing - maybe an optimistic assumption! I do have an ancient battery hydrometer, but I've not noticed new ones on sale for some time now (health & safety issue, maybe?). I can't even remember if the individual cells are accessible, but I do know that the latest battery on my Audi is completely sealed. It is looking though that the battery might be due for replacement anyway.

[badgx]

Hydrometer are available from eurocarparts for only a few quids. If the outcome is poor, you can then decide whether to add battery tablets. The tablet will prolong the life of good batteries and revitalises old batteries by removing the harmful deposits, which accumulate on plates

[Simon@thecustom300cshop]

Our OEM batteries are oldskool (have been on all the C's I have looked at) and have screw tops on each cell.

[badgx]

Yup old skool Observe caution & take care, battery acid is dangerous so do wear rubber gloves

[devilmaycare]

I forgot to mention that I did check for fault codes with TorquePro. The following appeared:

P065A - Powertrain - Generator Performance.

I recently had a problem with a slipping accessory drive belt which threw up the code. The fault has been rectified (I thought), but I can't clear the code, instead I get a message saying that the code is a "Gray Code" and can only be cleared using a special Chrysler ECU device. So this code has been around for a while, without being cleared.

P0562 - Powertrain - System Voltage Low

This code is more recent and is also a "Gray Code".

Its possible that these two codes are related: ie low alternator output ultimately leads to low battery volts, but I will proceed with the investigations to see what I come up with.

[badgx]

Yep both are linked, do proceed with investigation. Here a useful descriptor

P0562 CHRYSLER - System Voltage Low

Possible causes
- Loose or missing alternator drive belt
- Faulty alternator
- Battery defective
- Open or short system voltage circuit
-
Tech notes
Start by recharging or replacing the battery.

When is the code detected?
The P0562 code is detected when the battery voltage detected by the ECM is less than a calibrated value

Symptoms
Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
- Slow engine start
- Low battery power

P0562 CHRYSLER Descriptor
- The battery supplies electricity to the ECM even when the ignition switch is OFF. This electricity allows the ECM to store data such as DTC history, freeze frame data, fuel trim values and other data. If the battery voltage falls below a minimum level, the ECM will conclude that there is a fault in the power supply circuit. The next time the engine starts, the ECM will turn on the MIL and a DTC will be set.

[devilmaycare]

Completed diagnostics today and all looks OK. Battery fluid levels OK and hydrometer test shows half charged state. Battery volts measured at battery, with Gunsons Sparktune showed 12.6V, engine not running. Started engine and volts went up to 15, dropping to 14.5 shortly afterwards. Have been monitoring EVIC volts whilst driving, hovering around 14.5V.
I'll be going for a longer drive tomorrow, so hopefully the battery will get a good charge.

According to the workshop manual, P0562 will register if battery volts drop to 8.0 or less for 5.0 secs, but I don't know how this could have occurred, since it was only the battery warning light which attracted my attention, otherwise everything seemed normal; no problems starting, etc.

[badgx]

Congratultions! Hope its sorted and lets see if you can beat your record of 9 years

[devilmaycare]

I'm not sure about the congratulations, as all I've managed to do is fail to find any obvious fault. I'm still non the wiser as to the reason for the battery warning light and fault code logged. Its also disappointing that TorquePro can't clear the two fault codes and I don't understand why this should be a dealer-only operation.

[badgx]

Don't worry to much about the codes, keep an eye on things & give that battery a good charging. It maybe just a ghost