GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Norwich7point5 on 23 November 2020, 10:06
-
Morning all.
I was hoping to get some advice on my battery. I don’t tend to use the car much during the week and I went to start it Saturday and it was sluggish to crank and there were numerous warnings on the dash.
It fired eventually and I took it for a spin to get some fuel. It cranked fine after that and all warnings have disappeared.
I worked out that it was probably almost 2 weeks that it had stood for.
The battery is the original; some horrid Korean ‘Sebang’ unit so it’s 3 yrs and 6 months old, so not particularly old but then again not the best battery VW could have used!
2 questions; Should I leave it as it is but start it/take it for a spin every few days?
Or,take it to the dealer and get them to take a look and maybe push them for warranty/goodwill contribution towards a replacement?
-
My 17 plate GTD had its battery replaced under warranty at just under 3 years old.
Which was nice, tbh I'd expect to replace the battery at about 3 years anyway.
-
4 years is the average life of the batteries so VW will not touch it.
Keep an eye on it as when they do fail what you are getting is the only warning. You will go to the car and it will not start even if it was fully charged the day before.
I upgraded mine to a Duracell AGM battery a couple of years ago as the OEM was enhanced flooded lead acid. Remember any battery you do get eventually will need coding to the car, 5minute job with OBDEleven or VCDS.
-
Sorry to slightly drift but do the batteries now come without any kind of cover?
I'm used to the sloid box thing in the MK5, now I've just got a piece of cloth on four sides and nothing covering the terminals leaving them exposed.
-
4 years is the average life of the batteries so VW will not touch it.
Keep an eye on it as when they do fail what you are getting is the only warning. You will go to the car and it will not start even if it was fully charged the day before.
I upgraded mine to a Duracell AGM battery a couple of years ago as the OEM was enhanced flooded lead acid. Remember any battery you do get eventually will need coding to the car, 5minute job with OBDEleven or VCDS.
Finglonga; why choose the AGM over what the OEM offering was? My limited understanding is that AGM is more spill proof but what's the issue with flooded lead acid?
If you had to buy a replacement now; have you any recommendations?
Next upgrade for the car will be an OBDeleven; it's pay day on Friday :grin:
-
I would just get the battery replaced. They can fail quite suddenly and leave you stranded. I think 3 and a half years is pretty good for stop start?
-
Sorry to slightly drift but do the batteries now come without any kind of cover?
I'm used to the sloid box thing in the MK5, now I've just got a piece of cloth on four sides and nothing covering the terminals leaving them exposed.
I think deleting the proper cover must've been another cost cutter for VW. Mine only has the fabric cover. I've seen on here that some people have bought a plastic cover from Ebay to complement the fabric.
-
OP - if you can get VW to fund a new battery then why not. I'm not convinced though after 3.5 years you'll get it. It is afterall a consumable with a finite life. For peace of mind given the amount of driving you do and that it is getting colder, I'd get a new one, with all the deals this week now seems a good time to do it.
Sorry to slightly drift but do the batteries now come without any kind of cover?
I'm used to the sloid box thing in the MK5, now I've just got a piece of cloth on four sides and nothing covering the terminals leaving them exposed.
No box on either my MK7 or 7.5 although the 7 battery was at least fully covered. You can buy aftermarket boxes though, personally I'm not bothered, I don't go under the bonnet that much and grew up with exposed battery terminals on cars, no fancy plastic boxes in those days :laugh:
-
To be honest; I didn't think I'd have any chance with a warranty claim. Sort of wondered if they might be kind enough to discount it slightly.....
It's just such a palaver phoning the dealer, booking it in, getting it to them, telling them not to wash it, going to collect it, arguing with them when they've washed it, that I think I'd rather buy a replacement battery and replace it myself.
Any recommendations?
-
Thought the cloth cover was to keep the battery warm for easier cold starts, plus it’s cheaper
-
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/batteries/car-batteries/halfords--096agm-start%2Fstop-agm-12v-car-battery-5-year-guarantee-548638.html
AGM will last far longer than EFB if you use start/stop frequently and they fit and code the new battery to the car for around £20.
-
I had similar issues with my Sebang battery earlier in the year, not using the car much I charged it during the week, but it didn't make much difference.
Once a battery is on the way out, if you are not using the car to charge, it is literally game over.
I replaced it with a Yuasa 9000 AGM and it has been fine ever since.
Coding is easy with Vagcom / Obd11, you just need to put a different code in to tell the car it is a new battery and if you have changed type to AGM.
For a code, I put in the date of battery replacement, it accepted immediately.
Coming up to "Black Friday, I am sure there will be a few deals around on car parts.
-
Finglonga; why choose the AGM over what the OEM offering was? My limited understanding is that AGM is more spill proof but what's the issue with flooded lead acid?
If you had to buy a replacement now; have you any recommendations?
Next upgrade for the car will be an OBDeleven; it's pay day on Friday :grin:
As said above they last longer, they also have better cranking power and deep cycle capabilities. If you het one from Halfords ask friends if anyone has a "trade card" as they give you huge discounts on Batteries.
-
Thanks for all the info.
I see that GSF have a Yuasa 9096 AGM 70Ah with 4 year warranty for £127. Seems like a good price.
-
A bit cheaper than Halfords albeit fitted price and 5 years warranty of £185 for my car. I had a similar issue without warning a couple of weeks ago... have driven the car quite a bit since so no repeat but very nagging worry when the next one will happen :sad:
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/batteries/car-batteries/halfords--096agm-start%2Fstop-agm-12v-car-battery-5-year-guarantee-548638.html
-
That Halfords one is £127 plus £25 fitting on "trade card" instead of £159 plus £25, but beware fitting some branches fitting is just that and NOT coding tot he car.
-
That,s is a good reduction :smiley: How do you get around the coding if you do not have OBDEleven or VCDS as most of us I suspect will not have?
-
That,s is a good reduction :smiley: How do you get around the coding if you do not have OBDEleven or VCDS as most of us I suspect will not have?
Halfords should do the coding. Had my alhambra battery changed with them this year. Use another branch iff they tell you they don’t
-
Just had a delivery. Totally amped and I'm positive it's gonna make a big difference :grin:
(https://i.imgur.com/aV3LZlk.jpg)
£127 and free delivery from GSF.
Just waiting for my OBDeleven now....
-
That is the one I purchased from GSF, no issues, I coded it easily with OBD11.
This is one of many videos on youtube guiding you through the coding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36OB96OtUsE&list=LL&index=25
Good luck!
-
clubsport/everyone,
Many thanks for your help; it's much appreciated.
-
I have previously used Tayna batteries for a replacement when I owned a Land Rover. Competitive price and quick delivery. I am not sure with the GTI how you would get round the coding without some extra kit. If nothing else, good for a price comparison.
https://www.tayna.co.uk