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My new PMC battery failed completely yesterday, only four months old, the only indication that it was going out is the Auto Idle Stop has not been working for a couple of weeks. That never bothered me, I actually thought that was a good thing 😬 I called the dealer to make sure they had a new one in stock, jump started the car and went there, and they checked the charging system, load tested the battery, then installed a new one.
I guess where this is heading, I have read that there is no way to check an AGM battery’s condition without an actual load test. I plan to carry a lithium jump starter box always, but are there any indicators that a battery is going bad, other than the Auto Idle Stop not working? This car doesn’t even have a low voltage idiot light. I guess I could install a Scan Guage, if I could figure out a decent location for it. That way I could monitor battery and charging voltage, and boost, for example….
Thanks for any comments.
John Davies
Spokane WA
Last edited by John E Davies; Apr 11, 2022 at 03:35 PM.
Don’t know of any vehicle that has a bad or failing battery light.
Charging system warning light very common indicating the battery is not being charged. The RDX has a charging idiot light.
If it had volt it might be possible to note a lower than normal voltage. But all modern battery ( including AGM ) failure it is common to have sudden death……where no slow crank or other observable failing battery is occurring. Rather literally good in the morning start, stop for fuel or coffee and experience no crank, no start.
As far DIY battery testing …..there a variety of tester at a wide price point with various features. Able to measure weak or failing battery.
I carry a jump start pack too but the question is where to keep it. Plenty of room under the rear floor or elsewhere in the back but how easy is it to retrieve if the battery dies?? Can't use a key to open the rear hatch and I'm not sure how easy it would be to lift the hatch with no battery assist. For now, I've been keeping the jump pack in box in the back seat.
I agree on the lithium jump box. I store one (jump pack) in each car and each of three motorcycles. Motorcycles with FI and no kick starter, one has a DCT trans so no push starting.
My ‘17 CRV sudden death battery failure at a little over three years. I live in a cold climate so 5 year battery life use to be the norm. Family in south Texas rarely get to 3 years.
I do have battery tester that I check the battery every 5000 miles.
Has anyone had the Idle stop disable itself while in use? I noticed this a few days ago, I am stopped at a light and the idle stop engaged as it should. Then a few seconds later i hear the engine start up while i still have my foot on the brake and I see the warning that AIS is unavailable due to system warming or or charging. Does that indicate my battery is going bad?
Has anyone had the Idle stop disable itself while in use? I noticed this a few days ago, I am stopped at a light and the idle stop engaged as it should. Then a few seconds later i hear the engine start up while i still have my foot on the brake and I see the warning that AIS is unavailable due to system warming or or charging. Does that indicate my battery is going bad?
NOT necessarily
While in use if any of the idle stop (off) parameters are met the car restarts. Like temperature, humidity, voltage, slightest movement of the steering wheel.
Has anyone had the Idle stop disable itself while in use? I noticed this a few days ago, I am stopped at a light and the idle stop engaged as it should. Then a few seconds later i hear the engine start up while i still have my foot on the brake and I see the warning that AIS is unavailable due to system warming or or charging. Does that indicate my battery is going bad?
Originally Posted by Showkey
NOT necessarily
While in use if any of the idle stop (off) parameters are met the car restarts. Like temperature, humidity, voltage, slightest movement of the steering wheel.
Happened to my self too, but I figured the car was warming up like showkey said above. When the auto stop turns off, there will be an icon on your dash that shows what part of the car is affecting the auto stop.
Main Culprits:
Battery icon - System charging up or warming up
A/C icon - Climate control is being prioritized
Engine coolant icon - Coolant temperature is not in range yet.
No Icon - Battery temperature too low
When I drove in the winter, the auto stop never worked. It got chilly a few days ago and the auto stop also went out at a stop light, but I wasn't quick enough to see the Icon on the screen, but it was most likely battery warming up.
Happened to my self too, but I figured the car was warming up like showkey said above. When the auto stop turns off, there will be an icon on your dash that shows what part of the car is affecting the auto stop.
Main Culprits:
Battery icon - System charging up or warming up
A/C icon - Climate control is being prioritized
Engine coolant icon - Coolant temperature is not in range yet.
No Icon - Battery temperature too low
When I drove in the winter, the auto stop never worked. It got chilly a few days ago and the auto stop also went out at a stop light, but I wasn't quick enough to see the Icon on the screen, but it was most likely battery warming up.
The Idle stop never worked for me in the winter as well, it just started recently working again. I guess i will leave it alone and just keep an eye on it.
I've never had a car with an AGM battery before. What does Acura typically charge for replacement? I'm 3 years in so I could be due soon. My AIS hasn't worked the past couple days.
The local Honda dealer was pretty reasonable for battery replacement and I got good life out of them. So, the last couple times I got the battery for my Pilot from them.
