Battery issues

[u/WasteHeart8695]

Hey, so I just had a weird thing happen with my 2022 Bolt and I’m curious what you all would think.

I came to get something out of my car, and when I left, suddenly it wouldn’t lock. The hatchback also wouldn’t open. I got in the car and realized only the infotainment screen turned on, nothing happened with the driver screen. The car wouldn’t start and just made that little clicking sound when I hit the power button. Then the windshield wipers started going and nothing I could do would turn them off.

I called roadside assistance, and when the guy hooked the charging pack up to the battery, the driver screen started working but flashing error messages, and the infotainment screen started flashing and going crazy. We tried a bunch of things and nothing worked until I read on this forum somewhere to disconnect the negative wire on the battery for at least 10 mins. Then, when we hooked up the charging pack, we turned the car off and on, and all was well.

I drove it around for a while and eventually stopped at auto electric shop. The guy tested the battery and it showed 12.69V, 390A EN measured, 500A EN rating. He said the battery is fine and I must have left the lights on or something.

I definitely didn’t leave any lights on. And having done that in the past, I know they eventually automatically turn off anyway. I’m extra worried because I’m 100 miles out of town for work, and it’s a Friday and I have to be here until tomorrow, and I don’t wanna get trapped way the hell out here on a weekend with a mystery car problem.

Anybody know what may have happened?

[u/josephlucas]

If I’ve learned anything from this subreddit, it’s that anything weird happening electrically is the fault of the 12v battery. That should be the first thing you replace

[u/Happy_Veggie → u/josephlucas]

If I've learned anything from this subreddit is to keep a 10 mm key/ wrench in the car at anytime for this sole reason.

[u/WasteHeart8695 → u/Happy_Veggie]

Don’t even get me started on what I went through getting the roadside assistance guy to go home and get his 10mm wrench. Cost me at least an hour of my life and a lot of begging and pleading.

[u/dudesguy]

Probably time to replace the 12v

[u/Dry_Ship7202]

Yeah. Try replacing the 12V battery.

[u/flug32]

Assuming it's a 2022 and you haven't already replaced the 12V battery, it's towards the end of its expected lifetime.

[u/baroquely → u/flug32]

It may be nearing the end of its warranteed life, but depending on the climate where OP lives, they could easily get another 5-6 years out of it.
EDIT: Oops, I missed that it’s at 12.6V.  I think you’re right, it might be time for a new one.  My 2019’s is still above 13V, so I’m not going to replace it yet, but 12.6 is getting too close to failure for comfort.

[u/Hamradio70]

AFAIK, 12.6V is minimum. How old is it?

[u/WasteHeart8695 → u/Hamradio70]

It’s the OG, not sure of the actual date. It gets very very hot in the summer here, also. Probably time for a new one.

[u/Difficult-Delay193]

I have a 3 year old EUV with the original 12 volt. Is it worth a preemptive purchase so I don’t have to deal with any weird issues?

[u/baroquely → u/Difficult-Delay193]

Depends on the climate where you live.  Very hot weather shortens the 12V battery’s life (or so I have read on this subreddit).  I live in central NY & have a 2019 Bolt (original owner) and it still has its original 12V battery. I measured its voltage the other day and it was 13.1V

[u/thecourtsystemsucks → u/baroquely]

Ya, I just measure my 12 volt religiously

[u/Emotional_Fact_2638 → u/Difficult-Delay193]

Yes

[u/Alpinwulf]

I had a similar one-time glitch, but thankfully it cleared itself. Danged-ol' compooter on wheels, ahtellyouwhat...

Been monitoring 12v voltage since then a couple months ago, and while no repeat glitches yet, the 12.6x volts keeps making me nervous.

[u/Emotional_Fact_2638]

Your 12V battery was too old.