[Chicago]

Problem symptoms: Car does not start. Instrument cluster, touch screen display, start button, windows, key fobs all show no sign of life. Car can only be opened manually with key.

What still works: Interior lights come on when I manually open the door, trunk release and gas door do open when appropriate button in car is pressed. Mirrors can be adjusted, hazard button and horn works.

How I got to this point: This winter, living in Chicago and with local dealer support no longer being available I decided to play it safe and leave the car in the garage. I had the 220V charger connected to the charging port, but did not realize until after closely reading this forum that I also should have put a battery tender on the 12V battery. Anyway, after a few months I noticed the 220V charger was lit red indicating a problem. I unplugged the charging port and plugged it back in and had the same problem. I started checking into things and found that the 12V battery was dead. I hooked up a 12V charger, noticed a clicking for a while (like a relay was going on and off) but after some time that stopped and the 12V battery now shows fully charged. I then picked up and connected a battery tender which also showed the battery is now fully charged. Now when I connect to the HV charging port, it appears to charge the high voltage battery fine because it showed charging for about three hours. I tried a hard reset however did not seem to change anything.

I love the car and am itching to drive it as soon as the weather improves. I am hoping it may be as simple as a blown fuse or bad relay. Please help. Any suggestions?

 

[Fanofearth]

replace the 12v

 

[Chicago]

replace the 12v

The 12V battery seems to be working fine since I had recharged it as described in my original post. During my earlier troubleshooting, I also had connected an external battery and the results were the same. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JFJLP6/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Lormax]

Fanofearth is right, replace the 12V battery. Yes, I understand you recharged it and it worked afterwards. It's because you recharged it and used it immediately. The 12V battery was most likely damaged since it was discharged so low and now it won't hold the charge for any length of time.

If you want to be sure before throwing parts at it, use a Voltmeter and check the voltage of the battery, using the same spots that you'd hook a trickle charger up to it to check the voltage. It should be over 12V (ideally 12.4-12.6V) if the battery is in good shape. My bet is that you'll find something much much less.

 

[Chicago]

Fanofearth is right, replace the 12V battery. Yes, I understand you recharged it and it worked afterwards. It's because you recharged it and used it immediately. The 12V battery was most likely damaged since it was discharged so low and now it won't hold the charge for any length of time.

If you want to be sure before throwing parts at it, use a Voltmeter and check the voltage of the battery, using the same spots that you'd hook a trickle charger up to it to check the voltage. It should be over 12V (ideally 12.4-12.6V) if the battery is in good shape. My bet is that you'll find something much much less.

I disconnected the battery minder 3 hours ago, and I am getting a reading of 12.68 Volts. I will check again tomorrow, but it seems like the battery is okay.

 

[Lormax]

Keep us posted on what the battery reads after sitting overnight. Thanks!

 

[Chicago]

Keep us posted on what the battery reads after sitting overnight. Thanks!

Thanks for keeping on top of this Lormax. This morning the battery read 12.70. I did another hard reset and now the key fob is locking and unlocking the car, the mirrors automatically fold in after locking, and open when unlocking. However....The instrument cluster, touch screen display, start button still show no sign of life, the car does not start.

 

[smoothoperator]

Here is an idea...

Connect your 12v battery charger to the terminals and turn the charger setting to "Run." Does the car turn on? The battery may be able to hold charge but under load is where the battery may be unable to provide the required power. That is why you are seeing some things work and others not work at all.

 

[Harleyguy]

Thanks for keeping on top of this Lormax. This morning the battery read 12.70. I did another hard reset and now the key fob is locking and unlocking the car, the mirrors automatically fold in after locking, and open when unlocking. However....The instrument cluster, touch screen display, start button still show no sign of life, the car does not start.

You VCM isn't waking up . If the car has 12 volts more then likely the VCM lost the wake up signal .The three modules that wake up when you open the door is the Instrument cluster the HVAC unit and the DSU or the shifter . When you open the door does the instrument cluster light up at all and show you how many miles left on the battery and the mileage of the car .Feel free to PM me I will discuss your options

 

[Chicago]

You VCM isn't waking up . If the car has 12 volts more then likely the VCM lost the wake up signal .The three modules that wake up when you open the door is the Instrument cluster the HVAC unit and the DSU or the shifter . When you open the door does the instrument cluster light up at all and show you how many miles left on the battery and the mileage of the car .Feel free to PM me I will discuss your options

It sounds like you have an understanding of the problem. When I open the door, the instrument cluster the HVAC and DSU show no sign of life.

 

[Harleyguy]

It sounds like you have an understanding of the problem. When I open the door, the instrument cluster the HVAC and DSU show no sign of life.

The VCM has lost it's wakeup signal to those modules do you have a local Fisker Dealer and where are you located ?

 

[Chicago]

The VCM has lost it's wakeup signal to those modules do you have a local Fisker Dealer and where are you located ?

I will have to check if the two Fisker Dealers who were selling in Chicago still support the car.

 

[Chicago]

The VCM has lost it's wakeup signal to those modules do you have a local Fisker Dealer and where are you located ?

I live in Chicago. I purchased the car from Fields Fisker which is shut down, however Fields is supporting the Fisker's at Fields BMW (close to Chicago).

 

[Lormax]

Harleyguy is definitely on the right track. It's funny that it's the VCM coming from a Field's car. That's the second Karma I know of from there that has lost its VCM after a 12V battery died on its car.

Here's a bit more info for you that may or may not give you some peace of mind. The other car I'm talking about I was able to get the VCM to respond again after doing a re-flash. The car would turn on, dash came on, etc. Unfortunately the touch-screen would never wake-up, no matter what I tried. Swapping the VCM to a known good unit solved all the problems.

Add battery maintainer to the list of must-haves. A VCM getting bricked because of a dead 12V can be a death sentence soon. That part is hard to find.

 

[Harleyguy]

I spoke with this customer and gave him the information needed to get the VCM back up and running .

 

[smggsm]

Thanks got the update glad to here it was fixable ..
Since dead / weak battery cause that many problems Do u recommend change the 12 battery every 2 years
Regardless if it working or not?



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[Harleyguy]

Thanks got the update glad to here it was fixable ..
Since dead / weak battery cause that many problems Do u recommend change the 12 battery every 2 years
Regardless if it working or not?



Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

Not really if you suspect a problem 12 volt battery the battery can be load checked like any other car . Usually a battery will last many years if its charged properly and not left to drain all the way till it's dead .

 

[smggsm]

What symptoms I'm looking for , sign for trouble 12v dying ?



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[Chicago]

I spoke with this customer and gave him the information needed to get the VCM back up and running .

And thank you very much @Harleyguy. You were right on the money!!!

 

[msajidkhan]

I was reading Fisker car owner's manual and it says that the 12v battery is sealed for life. Does it mean the battery has a life time warranty or what ?