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Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 2:50 pm
by clivec
What will it take for this problem to be sorted out??????????????????

I have posted under the same topic, elsewhere on this site, about the first four (became five) times that this happened in late September early October. I am just SOOOO fed up now it has happened again for a sixth time.

Each time told there was no problem with the battery until I quoted from this site that it could be a fuel pump not switching off. That turned out to be the case, but now six weeks later I have the Niro once more sitting outside my hose, electrically DEAD. Given that they only replaced the fuel pump and not the battery (sorry sir we can't as its not showing up as faulty!).

I am going to keep this post updated. If anyone from KIA reads this - please help sort it out.

Re: Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 3:58 pm
by clivec
After yet another jump start by RAC (Kia assist) I got to the dealership and a senior mechanic was sent out to talk to me. He was the Niro specialist and understood right away what the problem was, as an update and replacement part (circuit board!?) had been issued by KIa a few weeks ago. He checked the records for the work they had done before and confirmed that the part they had previously replaced had been the older version.

The car however needed booking in for it to be checked and the work done. The service department then said they couldn't take it in until next Tuesday - and were saying it would be needed for a couple of days!!. I wasn't very happy with the likelihood of more flat batteries and said so as they had already had it in three times for this fault and no courtesy cars were available - and it was through no fault of my own (car is also only 11 months old and less than 5,000 miles!).

Thankfully the mechanic I had talked to offered to fit it in and do the job straight away - which he did (FULL MARKS).

I As there wasn't any time left to charge up the battery I was advised to take the car for a long drive before going home, and then again today - which I have.

At present all is fine.

Re: Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 4:46 pm
by niroal
Do you have the Aux Battery Saver option within the instrument panel settings ticked?

Re: Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 2:45 pm
by h2onorth
Hi niroal. I think this might be either a 3or 4 version only or it only works on accessory outlets unless you know different
h2onorth

Re: Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 8:00 pm
by Steve
Your best bet is to remove one of the battery terminals , and get a Multimeter , set it to Current ( Amps ) Put one lead on the battery and the other lead on the terminal you have just taken off , and read what it says , but do it with everything off , all doors closed , and if it is reading about an Amp or more , then there is a problem...... Just a matter of interest , read the voltage of the battery ...Take a terminal off first ... I'm sure if the fuel pump was running you might hear something with the engine off .... Tough problem really , but i would put money on it , its something simple ... Its just finding it ... Your best bet would be to buy a power pack and keep in the car , at least you won't get stuck ,until you sort it out .

Re: Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:59 am
by clivec
Thanks for the comments.

The car I have is a Niro 3.

May not have explained very well what the Kia dealership found - I was still letting off steam at the number of times the fault had occurred, and it having previously been in to them three times for it (after six failures).

There have been comments on an earlier series of posts regarding this fault where a few indicated it could be the fuel pump continuing to work after the engine has been switched off. This was confirmed the last time my car had a flat battery.

Since then Kia central have issued dealers with a 'circular' advising of this and also a replacement 'circuit board'. I was shown a printed copy of this on which a picture shows the new board has a different colour sticker than the old one (sorry I'm not technically minded).

Since then so far so good. Kia assist (RAC) undertook several tests to see if it was anything else including boot and interior lights etc.

Re: Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 2:39 pm
by niroal
h2onorth wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2017 2:45 pm Hi niroal. I think this might be either a 3or 4 version only or it only works on accessory outlets unless you know different
h2onorth
On mine (PHEV), when I turn the car off the accessory outlets go off immediately, even if I start the car while it is in ignition on mode, the accessory outlets are stopped for a second.

Re: Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 9:45 am
by VinnyJo11
I am currently having the same problem. The dealer has told me next time it happens to get the RAC to tow it to them so they can see it in its state. I mentioned the fuel pump thing but they don't think it's that. Mine goes flat after 2 days of non use. This is now the second time this has happened and I've only had the car 2 month's.

Re: Flat battery for the sixth time

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 8:53 pm
by davethetech
there is a new PCB(fuse box) that causes the fuel pump to run, and this is a service action that the dealer will be aware of, it has also been aware that the rear door catches may be an issue but the dealers will need to carry out a thorough dark current check and eliminate them as per the workshop manual