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Author Topic: Battery Drain  (Read 10214 times)

Offline DannyBoyR32

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Battery Drain
« on: 14 May 2010, 11:19 »
Had my car now (R32) for nearly 3 years, still love it  :cool:

In January, the battery went flat, had the AA man out a couple of times and eventually had it replaced. Then went to drive car last night, after it was returned from garage (don't ask!!!) and battery dead again. I had AA man out again and he charged the battery. Clearly something is draining the battery.

The question is what are the most common causes for battery drain? As I'm scared it's going to go again when I really need to use the car. Then I can check and at least rule that out as a reason if it happens again................

Thanks in advance  :nerd:
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Offline AlanD

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  • MK5 2.0T 16v
Re: Battery Drain
« Reply #1 on: 14 May 2010, 11:28 »
Have you upgraded your headunit or is the same one that came out the factory?
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Offline DannyBoyR32

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Re: Battery Drain
« Reply #2 on: 14 May 2010, 11:29 »
Don't think anything has been upgraded, I'm not in any way an expert on cars. I just like driving fast!!!  :evil:
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Offline AlanD

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Re: Battery Drain
« Reply #3 on: 14 May 2010, 11:36 »
The most common battery drain issue with the MK5 was when people upgraded their headunit to an RCD510 but their car was pre 08 it would drain the battery unless you bought a CANBUS gateway adaptor or downgraded the firmware.

Cant think of anything else off the top of my head that would drain it, Id start my investigations around the headunit though.
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Offline Wayne

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Re: Battery Drain
« Reply #4 on: 14 May 2010, 12:31 »
Boot light staying on is another fav. I had that once.
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Offline DaveN

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Re: Battery Drain
« Reply #5 on: 14 May 2010, 12:57 »
I recently had a battery drain, the glovebox light had blown but a fault in it was draining current from the battery.
See if its working a replacement part is around €10 I think.

Dave N
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I think the worst time to have a heart attack is during a game of charades. Especially if your teammates are bad guessers.

Offline luvmygti

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Re: Battery Drain
« Reply #6 on: 14 May 2010, 13:08 »
The only thin i can think of that hasn't already been asked is, does it hsave a after market phone kit?

they can cause problems.

Battery drains can be nightmares to get to the bottom of  :sad:
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MKV GTI/ 3 Door/ 18" Monza II/ Full leather/ heated seats/ Manual/ Arm rest/ 6 Disc changer/ Cruse control/ Highline MFD/ Xenons/ Dog's Nuts!

Offline DannyBoyR32

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Re: Battery Drain
« Reply #7 on: 14 May 2010, 14:25 »

Sorry when you say have I changed the head unit, I think I have. Do you mean do I have the upgraded CD player and Sat Nav? Blimey I'm technically inept!!!

I do have hands free kit as well.

The AA chap turned off the glove light and the boot as well I think but it's definitely a drain as I had the battery replaced in about January........................

Thanks for your help guys, at least if it happens again and I end up taking it back to VW then I know what to say to them as last time I left it in the their hands and it doesn't seem to have worked!!!!

Still after it was fixed last night, I went out for a quick spin, after driving a Polo for four weeks, I have to say, I remember why I bought the car in the first place....................nothing like putting the old foot down.............
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