2022 Lucid Air 12V Battery Issues - DIY Replacement?

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Brittany E. · rep 0 · May 22, 7:36 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2022 Lucid Air Grand Touring

Hey everyone,

I've been experiencing some really strange electrical glitches with my 2022 Lucid Air Grand Touring lately. Sometimes the infotainment screen takes forever to boot up, and a couple of times, the car just wouldn't 'wake up' when I tried to get in, requiring me to lock and unlock it multiple times. I've also noticed some intermittent warning lights that disappear after a restart.

I know EVs still have a 12V battery for all the auxiliary systems, and these symptoms sound a lot like a dying 12V in a traditional ICE car. Has anyone else with a Lucid Air had to replace their 12V battery yet? Is it a straightforward DIY job, or is it buried somewhere impossible to reach?

Any tips or guides would be greatly appreciated before I take it to the service center. Just trying to figure out if this is something I can tackle myself on a Saturday afternoon.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

It sounds like you're on the right track, Sarah. Even though your 2022 Lucid Air is an electric vehicle, the 12V auxiliary battery plays a crucial role in powering all the low-voltage systems, including the infotainment, lights, door locks, and most importantly, the contactors that 'start' the high-voltage battery system. Symptoms like slow boot-ups, intermittent electrical glitches, and the car not 'waking up' are classic signs of a weakening 12V battery.

Here's a breakdown of what you can do:

  1. Confirm the Issue: Before diving into replacement, you can test the 12V battery's voltage with a multimeter. A healthy 12V battery should read around 12.6V when the car is off. If it's consistently below 12V, especially after sitting for a while, it's likely failing.
  2. Locate the Battery: In many Lucid Air models, the 12V battery is located in the 'frunk' (front trunk) area, often under a cover or trim panel. Consult your owner's manual for the exact location and access procedure for your 2022 Grand Touring.
  3. DIY Replacement Steps (General):
    • Safety First: Always wear appropriate eye protection and gloves. Ensure the vehicle is completely off and in 'service mode' if your manual recommends it for 12V battery work.
    • Disconnect: Start by disconnecting the negative (-) terminal first, then the positive (+) terminal. This prevents accidental short circuits.
    • Remove: Securely remove any hold-down clamps or straps, then carefully lift out the old battery. Be mindful of its weight.
    • Install New Battery: Place the new 12V battery into the tray. Connect the positive (+) terminal first, then the negative (-) terminal. Secure the hold-down clamps.
    • Check: Ensure all connections are tight. You may need to reset some vehicle settings (like window auto-up/down) after a battery change.

When to See a Shop: If you're uncomfortable performing the replacement yourself, or if the symptoms persist after replacing the 12V battery, it's best to take your Lucid Air to a certified service center. There could be a more complex underlying electrical issue, or a parasitic draw draining the battery. They have specialized diagnostic tools to pinpoint such problems.

Relevant OBD Code: While a weak 12V battery might not always throw a specific code directly, persistent low voltage can sometimes trigger generic codes like P0A0F - 12V System Malfunction or other communication errors due to insufficient power to modules.