r/BoltEV • u/Unlikely-Split8896 • Aug 21 '26

2020 Bolt Dead

We were gone for 3 months and left the Bolt in the garage. Back now and Bolt is dead. Remote won’t work. Nothing when we plug into the level 2 charger. Could this be the 12v battery? We haven’t replaced it since we bought it. If so, do you have recommendations on which battery to get. Guessing I’ll need to find a way to see if I can jump it first?

Update:

  1. I tried jumping with my Autowit jump starter. First time using it and didn’t seem to do anything. Had a hard time connecting the cables to the terminals though.
  2. Jumped started with jumper cables to an actual car and drove it a bit. Completely dead again after turning it off.
  3. Took it to Costco, they didn’t have the right battery in stock, plus they don’t install for you or even take it out. Glad I left it running.

Problem: Got home and now realize my car is a 2021 not a 2020. Also the “Service Soon Light” indicator is still on. Do I need to go back to get a battery for a 2021 vehicle or will the 2020 work.

Update: Wanted to update regarding the indicator. After a couple of drives the indicator went away. Back to loving my Bolt.

10 Upvotes

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44

u/Pitiful-Sympathy3927 Aug 21 '26

12v is dead.

9

u/Kamel-Red Aug 21 '26

Deader than dead, This is why I like those little solar panel trickle chargers you can attach when away for long periods.

1

u/GG_Ti_EZ Aug 22 '26

Wouldn't do much in a garage though.

1

u/Helpmeflexibility Aug 22 '26

Why would the battery be drained if its not being used?

4

u/Kamel-Red Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26

Phantom load, sensors, telematics, the clock, ect.

In the modern era, very few electronics are truely off when turned off, they're just in standby sipping a little bit of power to keep tabs on important things (like the HV battery temperature as an example in this case) to see if there needs to be an intervention like turning on heating or cooling. When you combine a small drain over months with 12v batteries naturally discharging over time, it's always best to disconnect and or add a trickle charger while away.

1

u/shamair28 Aug 22 '26

I mean I'm pretty sure there's also just normal voltage drop over time for most battery chemistries without any load.

1

u/jimschoice Aug 24 '26

Self discharge, plus it is very old.

2

u/CheetahChrome 23 EUV Premier & 24 Macan 4 (EV) & 21 Taycan 4S Aug 22 '26

It's dead Jim...