The dreaded red dash light.

[AMGeed]

Two nights ago I went to start the car and on opening the door, I was greeted by the dreaded red dash light and the warning SBC, visit workshop!

On pressing the start button, the brake pedal juddered and it became obvious the battery was flat. Time to use the Lidl battery charger which I hooked up until today. The flat battery was reading 11.7v, and after trickle charging, the reading is now 12.7v standing and on starting the engine it goes up to 13.8v.

Can I assume lack of use, short journey's with lights, heater, comand etc being used has just drained the battery down and a quick boost should be OK?

The red light has now disappeared and hopefully I won't see that again. I don't need an SBC failure at this time of year if possible.

 

[Alps]

flat battery will cause various errors.

yes you re right, short trips will cause batt to go flat together with the dropping temps, give it a good charge, if it still causes probs, might have to change the battery (s) rem you have two!

 

[AMGeed]

Thanks Alps.
Does it automatically follow that if the main battery in the boot needs replacing, the aux battery needs changing too?

I've been advised not to use Comand on short trips too as the current draw is huge before they go to sleep.