Click when trying to start car

ICE, Equipment, Options
epicurus
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2021 3:33 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by epicurus »

Hi Everyone. First-time post here.

I have spent some time looking into an issue I have with my 67 Plate Qashqai but struggling to find an answer. Hopefully, someone with more knowledge than me on the Qashqai can offer some advice.

about once a week I find I have to charge my battery. During the week I start to notice the light on the dash which come on before I start the car as expected but flicker briefly when the car starts (after a charge they say on when I start the car and then go off)

By the end of the week, the car struggles to turn over and if I don't change my battery at the point the following day my car won't start. What happens is there is a rapid clicking, lights on the dashboard flicker and I have to turn off. I might get it to start if I am lucky but 9/10 times I have to charge my battery or jump-start my car. Other errors that come up are "no key detected" or Start/Stop Fault" After a charge, I am good for about a week again.

I have read that this could be a Starter fault or alternator fault, but also read this is unlikely as they are very reliable. I have also read that it could be where the cable from the alternator connects to the battery which has started to corrode. I am struggling to see where this cable attaches to the battery so cannot check. Lastly, I have read here that it could be that I am not driving for long enough to keep the battery charged up.

I have 2 questions if someone wouldn't mind helping with.

1. Where does the charging cable from the alternator attach to the battery and what am I looking for to make sure it's not corroded.
2. most of the week I am doing small trips in the car (taking dogs to the park for a walk etc) Could this be the cause and I just need to do 2-3 30min+ drives a week to keep the battery in good condition.

Many thanks in advance for any help and suggestion.

Overall I have been very pleased with my Qashqai.

lewisbryant
Posts: 336
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2019 7:27 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model

Post by lewisbryant »

Do you have a ffiamm battery
DaveBerlin
Posts: 8623
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:39 pm
Location: Berlin, Germany
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by DaveBerlin »

Firstly welcome to the QQ Forum ! With reference to Lewis’s comment the FIAMM Battery if you have one was a real Pain for QQ Owners. Nissan replaced our 2014 QQ’s Battery with a Varta and the problems just went away. We also have this as Std in our newer J11B.
Attached is just a short post on the subject, if you need to dig in just enter in “Search” - “Varta Battery” and you find a lot to read - Dave 😉

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=11335
11.19/1.3L/160PS/Tekna+/DCT/PrOPILOT/KAD Gun Metallic/Trunk Lower Finisher/Rear Glass Finisher/Ambient Lighting-LED’s Innen/Entry Guards Illuminated/Sport Pedals/Front Styling Plate/LED No.Plate/Chrome Door Handles/Rear Valance/Giacuzzo Alloys + Falken
dadio
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2021 7:14 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by dadio »

Hiya, am new to the forums but your post jumped out at me as mine went through the same problem. I was told by two sources one at Nissan and one independent that the batteries fitted couldn't handle the stop/start and that Nissan would like to keep that quiet so they can sell you a new battery! Thankfully, I complained and told that them at the time the car must still be under warranty ... which soon shut them up and got me a replacement free of charge!
fbgqashqai
Posts: 118
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:41 am
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by fbgqashqai »

FIAMM battery issue is widely known and no real secret across Nissan dealers although dealerships vary in quality. I my battery changed out at the second years service because the dealership found that one of the cells was faulty (no issues with the car in any way) so I don't think people are being fobbed off my Nissan. Also there are many threads of RAC callouts where Nissan have agreed with the RAC that they just change the battery at no cost to the customer where the vehicle is still in warranty.
fbgqashai 2017 J11a N Connecta 1.5DCi in Silver
epicurus
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2021 3:33 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by epicurus »

Hi All.

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. Does look like I have a ffiamm battery. Please see attached picture. Odd thing is that its been fine for well over a year now, maybe a little longer. Or is that the issue that they can start to play up any time ?

Will have a read of the post you linked Dave, Thanks Guess I am going to need a replacement battery?

Thanks, everyone for the replies.

IMG_5988.jpg

Sandgrounder
Posts: 700
Joined: Sun May 03, 2015 10:15 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model

Post by Sandgrounder »

Yes, you’ve definitely got a FIAMM ‘EFB’ battery. I had the same one fitted to my previous 2017 ‘67’ plate Qashqai which failed when it was only 2 year’s old. From what I remember, they had faulty cells which could never be recharged properly.

Nissan Breakdown/RAC replaced it free of charge, under warranty, with an ‘AGM’ Varta battery.

43AFE2A4-DE63-47A0-BBDE-8723B8018379.jpeg

Now: 1.3 Tekna DIG-T 158 MHEV J12 ~ LED Front Fog Lights ~ Ceramic Grey with Pearl Black Roof/Grey Interior
Before: 1.2 N-Connecta DIG-T 115 J11B ~ Heat Pack ~ LED Pack ~ Vivid Blue (Sep 17-Oct 21)
Previously: 1.2 N-Tec DIG-T 115 J11A ~ Blade Silver (Nov 14-Sep 17)
Exskoda
Posts: 168
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2021 12:44 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model

Post by Exskoda »

Sandgrounder wrote: Sun Oct 10, 2021 5:34 pm Yes, you’ve definitely got a FIAMM ‘EFB’ battery. I had the same one fitted to my previous 2017 ‘67’ plate Qashqai which failed when it was only 2 year’s old. From what I remember, they had faulty cells which could never be recharged properly.

Nissan Breakdown/RAC replaced it free of charge, under warranty, with an ‘AGM’ Varta battery.

43AFE2A4-DE63-47A0-BBDE-8723B8018379.jpeg
I take it they aren't fitting them in the j12s as my neighbor had a problem relating to a battery recently in his j12
Before Skoda Karoq SEL, virtual dash, heated screen.

Now: J12 Nissan Qashqai
1.3 DiG-T MH 158 Xtronic Tekna, Automatic, Petrol arrived 23/12/21
Sandgrounder
Posts: 700
Joined: Sun May 03, 2015 10:15 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.3 Qashqai - J12 (2021+) New Model

Post by Sandgrounder »

Nissan parted ways with FIAMM (court case involved?). They now use the Varta brand, from what I’ve learned?

I have a Varta EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) fitted to my J12 Qashqai. An EFB is a minimum spec battery required for today’s modern cars with Stop-Start technology. Cost approx. £100-£140?

The AGM batteries (Absorbent Glass Mat) are top-of-the-range and typically cost over £200. The one fitted by the RAC (Varta again) to my previous Qashqai retailed at approximately £245.

It would appear you should only change like-for-like (i.e. EFB for EFB) unless fitted by a specialist and re-programming maybe required - not really sure?
On average, EFB batteries provide up to 85,000 engine starts while standard wet-flooded batteries have a max of 30,000 engine starts. By approximation, EFB batteries provide up to 50,000 more engine starts than the standard flooded batteries.

Hence when using a start-stop system, it is evident that an EFB will have a far better duration than standard wet-flooded battery technology.
Now: 1.3 Tekna DIG-T 158 MHEV J12 ~ LED Front Fog Lights ~ Ceramic Grey with Pearl Black Roof/Grey Interior
Before: 1.2 N-Connecta DIG-T 115 J11B ~ Heat Pack ~ LED Pack ~ Vivid Blue (Sep 17-Oct 21)
Previously: 1.2 N-Tec DIG-T 115 J11A ~ Blade Silver (Nov 14-Sep 17)
epicurus
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2021 3:33 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by epicurus »

morning all. Thanks again for your comments.

So looking at a new battery I can see some around the £140 fitted.

Just so that I understand the issue with the FIAMM battery and the cells becoming damaged. If I charge at home for a few hours I am good for about a week. Yesterday I took the dogs for a walk so I went a little further than normal and drove for about 20 mins there and same back home. The car this morning won't start :( Almost ended in the scene from Faulty Towers where Basil Attacks His Car.. anyway..

Why is the home charger charging the battery and 2 x 20 mins drive not having an effect?

thanks again for your help and advice

John
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