MG4 12v battery connector loose

[Abe]

I have read several stories on here about dead 12V batteries killing the car completely. So I've invested in one of these...

Amazon product ASIN B015TKPT1A
which I keep in a case thats velcroed to the space under the bonnet. It will be enough to get the 12V battery going again and get the car started, unless of course the battery itself is faulty.

That is a BRILLIANT idea. I was just wondering what on earth I would possibly use a V2L adapter for…

 

[Ian Key]

Remember the emergency key only opens the driver's door so keep the battery booster in the glovebox not the boot otherwise you'll have to scramble from the driver's seat into the boot of the car.
Also remember to charge it every couple of months because if the booster becomes totally discharged it will be bricked as it won't recharge.

 

[CooperS]

It does seem to be a common theme with ev’s not just MG. Sometimes its the car at fault i.e. main battery not charging the 12v. Or driver error of some sort i.e. listing to the radio for a length of time. Also if you check the status of the car a lot through the app it can cause the 12v to drain. You may then get a message saying the car cannot be accessed, because the battery is being protected by the electronics. This has happened a lot with Octopus Energy overnight smart tariffs, especially with the EV6. A number of owners have reported issues.
In the EV6 there is a utility mode which you can switch to if listening to radio etc, that doesnt drain the 12v. Does the 4 have this, if so something to keep in mind.

 

[Deleted member 10041]

It does seem to be a common theme with ev’s not just MG. Sometimes its the car at fault i.e. main battery not charging the 12v. Or driver error of some sort i.e. listing to the radio for a length of time. Also if you check the status of the car a lot through the app it can cause the 12v to drain. You may then get a message saying the car cannot be accessed, because the battery is being protected by the electronics. This has happened a lot with Octopus Energy overnight smart tariffs, especially with the EV6. A number of owners have reported issues.
In the EV6 there is a utility mode which you can switch to if listening to radio etc, that doesnt drain the 12v. Does the 4 have this, if so something to keep in mind.

Did the ev6 issue not get resolved by a recall replacing a load of dodgy batteries

 

[CooperS]

As far as Im aware a number were replaced under warranty but others have replaced themselves, which in theory better batteries. There has been no general recall, but I could be wrong. My Dec 2021 build car has not had a recall for it yet! Although lots of software updates for other issues like no HVAC, which affected me, but still not right. So MG not alone in that case as well.
I do remember some owners had dash cams fitted, that were permanently live, resulting in a dead 12v. Also when setting up for an overnight charge on cheap rates, the car has died because it is in ready mode with a message on the screen and the charge lights flashing. I have noticed this myself since switching to cheap overnight charging, so leave it is a late as possible before plugging the charger in.

 

[Martinonline]

If I power off my Trophy and then listen to the radio, the radio switches off after 10 minutes. I seem to remember reading that the car should be powered and in ready mode if longer durations are required.

 

[CooperS]

Thats the process with the EV6, you power up ready to go, but you the choose utility mode. Owners were not doing this, including when updating sat nav software through usb’s which took sometime and the 12v died.

 

[Deleted member 10041]

As far as Im aware a number were replaced under warranty but others have replaced themselves, which in theory better batteries. There has been no general recall, but I could be wrong. My Dec 2021 build car has not had a recall for it yet! Although lots of software updates for other issues like no HVAC, which affected me, but still not right. So MG not alone in that case as well.
I do remember some owners had dash cams fitted, that were permanently live, resulting in a dead 12v. Also when setting up for an overnight charge on cheap rates, the car has died because it is in ready mode with a message on the screen and the charge lights flashing. I have noticed this myself since switching to cheap overnight charging, so leave it is a late as possible before plugging the charger in.

I remember what you are saying about the HVAC winter deliveries and no heating!
Was a massive cock up by kia

 

[Gomev]

That's reassuring. I'll have been away nearly 16 days. I left the car with 69% charge and I only have to get myself and my friend back to her house about five miles from the airport.

Originally I was going to leave my car parked in the street outside her house and we were going to get a taxi to the airport. This would have been sensible as regards a flat battery as I could have stayed the rest of the night with her (I'll do that anyway) and jump started my car from her Polo in the morning if necessary. But then I got cold feet about leaving the very new and quite conspicuous MG4 parked in a strange street for over a fortnight and booked secure airport parking. I just hope that wasn't big mistake.

Just don't keep waking the car up with the app while you are away to check it's still OK and not missing you
It will be fine.

 

[Ian Gould]

AA turned up at 8-15, he was going to drag it on the lorry until I suggested he checked the 12v battery. Turns out the red battery lead was loose enough to lose connection.
I went to the dealer this morning to ask where pdi was done and they said at the dealership. I suggested the service manager had a stern word with the engineer. It’s on the pdi checklist

 

[CooperS]

Just don't keep waking the car up with the app while you are away to check it's still OK and not missing you
It always says good morning baby! Sorry wrong app!
I dont myself, but its something that should be kept in mind.

Glad to hear your sorted, but should not have happened!

 

[Ian Key]

AA turned up at 8-15, he was going to drag it on the lorry until I suggested he checked the 12v battery. Turns out the red battery lead was loose enough to lose connection.
I went to the dealer this morning to ask where pdi was done and they said at the dealership. I suggested the service manager had a stern word with the engineer. It’s on the pdi checklist

At least it was a simple fix but it shouldn't have happened. Makes you wonder if they skipped anything else on the PDI

 

[AB71]

Yesterday at Stafford Ionity there was a bricked/dead very new Porsche Taycan 4S being recovered with exactly the same issue and a 4 hour old Peugeot

Can happen to any car not just MG!

Tbh there was a problem in the air yesterday as daft as it sounds

 

[AB71]

I'm sitting here in Symi (Greece) and my car is in a long stay car park at Glasgow Airport. I get back some time next week at about two in the morning.

Stop terrifying me.

I have a lead acid 12v starter battery in the rear footwell but I'm not sure how I'd see to use it. This car had bloody better start.you will let us know yeh xx

 

[Captain]

AA turned up at 8-15, he was going to drag it on the lorry until I suggested he checked the 12v battery. Turns out the red battery lead was loose enough to lose connection.
I went to the dealer this morning to ask where pdi was done and they said at the dealership. I suggested the service manager had a stern word with the engineer. It’s on the pdi checklist

Mg PDi appears to be "wash it" as I found out when I picked mine up after a 3 week check with a flat tyre that mysteriously happened 500 metres from the dealer but has been fine since

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Are battery manufacturers , if they have not already, going to start making specific 12v batteries for EVs which do not need high cranking capacities but appear to need a longer life span between charges. An EV seems to need more juice from the 12 v when not in ready mode over an ICE car when its stopped and not idling .

 

[Deleted member 10041]

Different EV manufacturers are providing different warranty cover for their 12 v batteries.
Certainly implies a greater confidence in the capabilities of the battery provided

 

[Sloucher]

Are battery manufacturers , if they have not already, going to start making specific 12v batteries for EVs which do not need high cranking capacities but appear to need a longer life span between charges. An EV seems to need more juice from the 12 v when not in ready mode over an ICE car when its stopped and not idling .

I wonder if a so-called leisure battery, such as those used in camper vans would be better suited?
Or, why not a lithium 12v battery such as the type used in the advertised booster batteries?

 

[NickHeynes]

I'm sitting here in Symi (Greece) and my car is in a long stay car park at Glasgow Airport. I get back some time next week at about two in the morning.

Stop terrifying me.

I have a lead acid 12v starter battery in the rear footwell but I'm not sure how I'd see to use it. This car had bloody better start.

I was a little concerned when I was away for 11 nights in June. Especially as I was unable to check the car's status through the app as It was in a multi storey carpark with no signal able to get through.
I needn't have worried . All was absolutely fine . The car hadn't been moved and there was next to no discharge whatsover.
Mine is a phase 1 SE SR

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY ( that's an order)!

 

[Stuart Wright]

AA turned up at 8-15, he was going to drag it on the lorry until I suggested he checked the 12v battery. Turns out the red battery lead was loose enough to lose connection.
I went to the dealer this morning to ask where pdi was done and they said at the dealership. I suggested the service manager had a stern word with the engineer. It’s on the pdi checklist

I've changed this thread title to better reflect what happened.