GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: Bellovese on 24 April 2026, 17:35
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Hi
Been driving my new 8.5 GTI for more than a month (1300 km) and a few seconds with the ignition on are enough to get the yellow "12V battery low, start engine" warning.
It's been happening from the very beginning in the showroom. Salesman put in on an external supply for the duration of the handover, said they now all do that when they arrive and VW said it's normal.
I'm coming from a 2020 Leon that hated low voltage but even that one let me navigate in the infotainment for a long while without any warning.
I've now done multiple 2hr+ trips and it's still doing it. Anyone else having this?
Thanks
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If mine has the ignition on without the engine running, and i am scrolling through the infotainment centre, it does say switch on engine as its discharging the battery.I think thats normal
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same here. discharges if you are using the infotainment but engine is not running, i wouldn't worry too much about it as it seems to charge properly once you turn ignition on, all notifications then go away
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These cars don't seem to like being left idle and unlocked. Even if the infotainment system is switched off.
I've noticed it a few times, where say I've been washing the car (car unlocked with key left inside it). Next time I drive it, post-wash, the infotainment system takes a while to get going, that whole "loading settings" malarkey. And I've had the low voltage error ping on the dash too, typically if sitting in the car with the radio on, even only for a few minutes.
It always resolves itself once you've driven it a bit and its "charged up" again I guess.
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This is what it looks like on mine, not even 30s after ignition on:
(https://i.postimg.cc/wM8gQNt3/2.jpg)
I'm not overly worried, the language used is a bit strong though (12V battery is discharged). Maybe it's just badly localised, as many items seem to be (but I work in this field :smiley:).
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This is what it looks like on mine, not even 30s after ignition on:
(https://i.postimg.cc/wM8gQNt3/2.jpg)
I'm not overly worried, the language used is a bit strong though (12V battery is discharged). Maybe it's just badly localised, as many items seem to be (but I work in this field :smiley:).
Yes, I think thats a big part of it. Many of the errors and warning bongs are for really minor things, but the BONG! and flashing orange warnings would have you thinking its a serious issue.
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I only use my GTI on the weekends, and don’t do very many miles. I’ve never had any notification about the battery, even if I’m using OBDeleven for a prolonged period it doesn’t do it. 🤷♂️
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I’ve just picked up my Edition 50 and also get this message. Dealer has assured me it’s normal.
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Plugged an OBD reader in today and it did show a fault on the 12v battery, first looked on 5th May. The OBD reader was showing a charge with the ignition on but engine off as fluctuating between 11.8v and 12.2v. Which from what I’m reading is really low, but I haven’t come across any issues or warnings other than the previous one talked about on this thread. Tough to know whether to book it in….