V50 Electrics : Corroded Battery clamp

[spirediesyelling]

The battery on my recently purchased second-hand V50 died today (reads 8V, so I'm just going to replace it).

As I was taking it out, I was slightly horrified to see the following:


The clamp holding down the battery has been completely corroded and was only holding it down from the left side (the bracket on the right side having rusted away), and there's a nasty deposit all over the bottom of the compartment. However I suspect this deposit is from a previous battery, because the one that died didn't seem to be leaking or anything.

What should I do about this, is it actually that big of an issue? Once I've replaced the battery, am I fine to just hold it down with the one side of the clamp?

[LizardOfBodom]

wow, thats nasty, defo acid leak from previous battery at some point. Would be worried whats underneath it aswell so I would take whole battery box out and inspect stuff below it. Not sure battery clamp on one side is safe enough, wouldnt leave it like that (shouldnt pass MOT anyway I think...)

One pointer from me - not sure if all models have it, but my T5 has battery temperature sensor in the place at the bottom (where empty hole is). Without it, car restricts charge to 13.5V only as cant properly diagnose battery temp. Not something very worryingsome but would check if it applies to you aswell.

[spirediesyelling]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

wow, thats nasty, defo acid leak from previous battery at some point. Would be worried whats underneath it aswell so I would take whole battery box out and inspect stuff below it. Not sure battery clamp on one side is safe enough, wouldnt leave it like that (shouldnt pass MOT anyway I think...)

One pointer from me - not sure if all models have it, but my T5 has battery temperature sensor in the place at the bottom (where empty hole is). Without it, car restricts charge to 13.5V only as cant properly diagnose battery temp. Not something very worryingsome but would check if it applies to you aswell.

Ah, that's good to know. I don't really have the right tools to remove the container, unfortunately. However, do you know if a damaged battery temp sensor would show up as a DTC code? The car's only giving me one (which is unrelated, linked to the ABS - another issue I need to fix).

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by spirediesyelling

Ah, that's good to know. I don't really have the right tools to remove the container, unfortunately. However, do you know if a damaged battery temp sensor would show up as a DTC code? The car's only giving me one (which is unrelated, linked to the ABS - another issue I need to fix).

yes, it does but only on Vida (or maybe other good diagnostic tool). Didnt see it as code on my OBD2 generic reader but Vida came up with "battery sensor circuit something something" and battery temp was reporting 60deg all the time.
container is removed by 3 bolts that you see on the picture, literally nothing else.

[pinballdave]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

One pointer from me - not sure if all models have it, but my T5 has battery temperature sensor in the place at the bottom (where empty hole is). Without it, car restricts charge to 13.5V only as cant properly diagnose battery temp. Not something very worryingsome but would check if it applies to you aswell.

Only early models have the temperature sensor, so there's no need to worry about it if you've got a later model without one fitted.

From VIDA
Note! For vehicles manufactured from week 05 2006, the battery temperature sensor has been replaced by a new function in the central electronic module (CEM). The central electronic module (CEM) calcualtes battery temperature based on outside temperature, which is obtained from the outside temperature sensor.

On the corrosion issue, my C70 doesn't have the metal strap holding the battery down, so I assume that a previous owner has lost it, and it hasn't caused any problems (yet!). It also has similar white crystal deposits under the battery. My S40 does have the clamp, and the battery box is nice and clean.

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by pinballdave

Only early models have the temperature sensor, so there's no need to worry about it if you've got a later model without one fitted.

interesting to know that, i wonder if it was cost-cutting or simply overcomplicated thing that wasnt really needed.

sidenote your clamp - you never had problem with MOT?? surprised to hear thats something they would miss, my gf's Corsa failed NCT (Ireland) because of LOOSE battery clamp, let alone lack of it. (not something I would argue with anyway as unclamped batt can become a projectile...)

[pinballdave]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

sidenote your clamp - you never had problem with MOT?? surprised to hear thats something they would miss, my gf's Corsa failed NCT (Ireland) because of LOOSE battery clamp, let alone lack of it. (not something I would argue with anyway as unclamped batt can become a projectile...)

Never been a problem, it's a snug fit in a battery box with a lid so for MOT testing purposes it is 'secure'. I didn't know it was supposed to have a clamp until I got my S40!

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk...uld-be-failed/

[Simmy]

make sure to nutralise any acid spillage or any corrosion will continue . do a ph test after clean up