A couple weeks ago I pulled both batteries and had them tested due to a no start issue. Turns out the starter battery (right side on US spec CGT) was dead but the large house battery was still OK, just low on charge.

After replacing the starter battery and charging the house battery I now am having a new issue - I'm sure it is related.

I now have to press the console start button three (3) times before the starter will engage and the car starts, followed by a LOW Battery message in the center display. The message extinguishes after a few seconds of the engine running.

I am getting 13.6V at the house battery and 14.4 Volts at the starter battery with the engine running, seeming to indicate it is not an alternator failure.

The house battery does not seem to be holding a charge, as applying an external battery charger shows it has low voltage then full voltage after a few hours on the charger. But, like I said, a load test at AutoZone showed the battery is in good condition. I don't want to spend a few hundred for a replacement battery if that's not the problem.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

dont you have implausible signal in vcds under acc/start? you should...


i had the same issue - instead of trying pressing button just started the car with key. asked myself - what the heck???

after charging battery and keeping it under charger on mtce when car sleeps for longer time no drive the problem disappered

 

Not sure what you are saying here.

But, yes - when I use the key in the dash ignition it starts normally. The problem that I am now experiencing is the need to depress the center console keyless start button three times to st6art it that way.

Thanks,

 

How old is the battery in your fob?

 

@Randy V ,
The 14.4 volts at the starter battery with the engine running, definitely shows that your alternator is working as it should.
What is the voltage of the house battery without the engine running, I understand that you had AZ check the batteries, but did the actually do a load test on the house battery, meaning, did they give it a full charge, then test by load, or did they just check the voltage, then you took it home and gave it a charge ?

Please check all connections at both batteries, and please try this scenario, put the key in the ignition, turn it to the left for 2- 3 seconds, then release to the normal center position (off), now the parallel solenoid should be engaged, try the push button start to see if it starts with one push.

Johnny

 

Good question @1st Bentley .
Which brings a question to @Randy V , is the low battery message the white text, or the amber text, I know you said the message is gone in seconds, so I am not sure if you are having time to fully read it, as the white text is the vehicle batteries issue, whereas the amber text has to do with the keyfob battery, IIRC.

Johnny

 

I'm doubtful that has any relationship to this issue.

 

OK, turned key to left and held for 4 seconds. I immediately followed by pushing the starter button. Car would not engage starter after 1, 2 or 3 pushes of the console start button.

Ah, I was unaware of the different LOW BATTERY messages. This one is in orange, not white.

I'll swap the fob battery with a new one to see if that makes any difference.

UPDATE - I replaced the fob battery, now the LOW BATTERY message is white, not orange.

I'm starting to be convinced the problem is the house (AGM) battery. AZ did a load test, but when I connect the battery charger to this battery the needle does not drop to zero amps, as it should after a complete charge is accepted.

 

@Randy V ,
I have to agree, the white text message is about the vehicle batteries, and I fully believe that your house battery is failing.

Johnny

 

I concur. Will replace the house battery and report back.

 

Please do.
Thank you Randy.

Johnny

 

It is about time to bring out my Bentley for the spring season again. It has been sitting in my garage for way too long, but it is very expensive to keep a "sports car" road-active in Sweden during all of our winter months, with all of the registration and insurance costs adding up every month.

My main battery (driver's side, LHD) has been on a CTEK all winter. Should I also have had one on my other side, for the starter?

 

If you had the CTEK plugged into the Bentley charging port, I believe it charges both batteries concurrently.

 

OK, purchased a new AGM battery at COSTO ($50 less than at AutoZone), topped it up overnight with the charger then installed it.

Car started on the first attempt from the console starter button. But repeated starts from there took three button pushes and getting the White LOW BATTERY message - just like before with the old battery.

Tried starting from the key position - started on first attempt. Turned off from the key position and removed the key. Started again from the starter button - worked on the first try with no white LOW Battery message.

I'm thinking the computers are a bit confused. Will hopefully improve after driving awhile next week.

 

Replaced the house AGM battery, however the starting issue continues.

I must press the console starter button three times. The third press engages the starter and the car starts normally.

Using the ignition switch by turning to the right provides no starter activity.

What the heck?