Member Since: 23 May 2010
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 85
Low Power Mode
Over the past few days we've been getting the message "Low Power Mode" come up on the radio display. You're driving along listening to the radio and all of a sudden it goes silent on all stations. If you try and turn the volume up, the message "Low Power Mode" comes up.
Any ideas what this is / how to fix ?
7th Feb 2011 4:43 pm
dtest
Member Since: 02 Jan 2011
Location: Weybridge
Posts: 140
It will be a battery issue
7th Feb 2011 4:45 pm
Dan_NL
Member Since: 19 Sep 2010
Location: world
Posts: 1213
Matt, if it comes up while driving I wouldn't think of the battery first. That would be if it were before starting the car even after stopping briefly during a long trip. I think the charging doesn't work properly, unless you put ALL electrics and heatings on and keep it all going for a while... if then after 30mins 'Low power mode' comes up, its logical : switch off the seat heating, its not intended for permanent use... So get at your battery and measure the voltage. Should go up to 14.5V when the engine runs [also visible on the screen of you satnav through the 1st 'secret button' sequence]. If the voltage is too low while charging the belt could be slipping on the alternator or the alternator has corroded contacts etc... A worn bearing in the alternator could also cause the problem then..
7th Feb 2011 5:18 pm
mattdaniels
Member Since: 23 May 2010
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 85
Thanks for the info. We don't have the poo-bakers switched on unless it's necessary. What's the first secret button sequence?
8th Feb 2011 12:10 pm
Dan_NL
Member Since: 19 Sep 2010
Location: world
Posts: 1213
low power
Matt, there is a posting [cannot find it anymore] about a hidden button on the satnav screen left off the top buttons. If you have a satnav and want to know, send me your e-mail adress. I copied-pasted two series of pics into a word document you can print & take to your car to try... It gives you eg 'live' voltage of your car battery
'on the move' and plenty other stuff.. Cheers, Dan
8th Feb 2011 2:47 pm
thorgal
Member Since: 26 Nov 2008
Location: on the east side
Posts: 541
Somehow , I cannot get a secret button to work...
8th Feb 2011 5:20 pm
mattdaniels
Member Since: 23 May 2010
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 85
Re: low power
thanks for the email willl give it a go
9th Feb 2011 7:06 pm
HughMartin
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 751
I had this problem and the problem was traced back to a battery change a couple of months ago. My 5 year old battery had given up the ghost and I replaced it with a new one without ensuring the new one was fully charged. The problem only came to light when I was playing a CD which lends itself to high volume and when I turned the volume up the "Low Power Mode" message was displayed on the radio. Also notice that heated seats and windscreens not working. A quick search on this forum found a post which indicated that when a new battery is fitted, the system senses the battery voltage and will regulate to that voltage. "No problem", I thought. I whipped the battery out and put it on charge for a few hours. Refitted battery but problem still there. Battery voltage as shown on a multimeter plugged into cigarette lighter socket showing as 12.5v at idle and 13.5 at normal driving speed. My charger is a cheap 4amp charger so I borrowed a friends heavy duty charger and it needed about 18 hours before the voltage peaked at 17v while still attached to the charger. Battery refitted and now getting 14.3v when running and "Low Power Mode" message now cleared and everything else operating normally.
Lessons learned:-
1. Make sure a new battery is FULLY charged using a decent charger.
2. When charging a battery, use a good quality digital voltmeter and plot voltage increase on graph paper until voltage peaks and stabilises. Should be in excess of 17v when still attached to charger.
3. Don't rely on "secret screen" battery voltage displayed on GPS screen. It under reads significantly on my car and only reads in half volt increments. Use a decent digital voltmeter plugged into a DC socket or wired directly to the battery.
3rd Mar 2011 8:59 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72790
Hugh, did that fix the problem to date?? Got similar problem.
24th Apr 2011 9:49 am
dwest
Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: ashford, middlesex
Posts: 23
Check your mad sensors connected aswell,
24th Apr 2011 10:13 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72790
SWMBO would say my mad sensor's been working ever since she met me!!
24th Apr 2011 10:37 am
dwest
Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: ashford, middlesex
Posts: 23
Haha, bloody iPhones, MAF
24th Apr 2011 11:43 am
HughMartin
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 751
Hi DSL,
It didn't fix it for long. Ended up having to get a new alternator. I was only getting 12.5-13 volts out of the old one and it should have been giving over 14v.
25th Apr 2011 3:19 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72790
Got a new alternator sorted via TFC & TLO.
25th Apr 2011 3:23 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72790
Got my car back today. Guava couldn't find a problem with the alternator, no error codes and everything was ticketyboo. On 20 miles back home bangin toonz were up at 35 no problem. Will keep an eye on it, I know she's messing with my mind but if i'm nice to her hopefully she won't sulk at the side of the peage!
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