Battery management issues VW New California T7

[Jerrywho]

If there is a belief that not all T7 cali's have the battery problems I wonder if it is related to a build date or even a build location. I saw somewhere in the online manual that the chassis number for each vehicle captures both of those. So It might be worth comparing notes on build dates and build locations. i.e. not the whole chassis number

YOu are right; different problems if any affect depending on PR number (production code)

 

[Jerrywho]

Gotcha, thanks for clarifying. Only thing I’d say is make a note of the battery voltage, not the percentage, it’s more accurate. Also the 3 amp draw is there because the screen has been activated, I believe it drops when it goes to sleep. After my update, which cured the drain, when I activate the screen it still shows 2amp draw.

I believe that 2A drain is far too much for a rear screen; I asked about that and they said an easy answer " this is not an accurate data it is just a reference; for sure thay have no clue,

 

[FivetonesCali]

The issue is not the screen but all the subsystems kept alive that are immediately accessible from the device and it’s screen. I’m willing to bet that they’re used to running these things up to the usual 20 minutes after ignition off in a normal car and forgot that that is a significant enough drain without a an alternator spinning or a traction battery involved. I’d also be willing to bet that they’ve not thought about optimising the subsystems for much lower energy use.

Let’s face it VW have a reputation for terrible software now. Maybe this will lead them to do what many other manufacturers do and allow access to the traction battery for a true ‘camping mode’ on their EV/PHEV vehicles? Not that this will help those who have pure ICE vehicles.

 

[Sacha1dog]

my 12V battery went from 12.5V at 4:00 pm, to 12.1V at 8:00 am today.

 

[Jerrywho]

The issue is not the screen but all the subsystems kept alive that are immediately accessible from the device and it’s screen. I’m willing to bet that they’re used to running these things up to the usual 20 minutes after ignition off in a normal car and forgot that that is a significant enough drain without a an alternator spinning or a traction battery involved. I’d also be willing to bet that they’ve not thought about optimising the subsystems for much lower energy use.

Let’s face it VW have a reputation for terrible software now. Maybe this will lead them to do what many other manufacturers do and allow access to the traction battery for a true ‘camping mode’ on their EV/PHEV vehicles? Not that this will help those who have pure ICE vehicles.

Exactly !!!!!!! Thats what I was told; the subsystems!!!!
ANd you are also right there is a enormous loss of energy (for such an extended and useless period of time) with all subsystems for example when you open the front door, or when you ignite the engine off or when you lock the doors from inside at bed time....either infotaintment or central control unit.... I believe this is something should be reconsidered by VW, no doubt about it!!!

 

[WelshGas]

Exactly !!!!!!! Thats what I was told; the subsystems!!!!
ANd you are also right there is a enormous loss of energy (for such an extended and useless period of time) with all subsystems for example when you open the front door, or when you ignite the engine off or when you lock the doors from inside at bed time....either infotaintment or central control unit.... I believe this is something should be reconsidered by VW, no doubt about it!!!

No different to any Leisure vehicle. They are all based on " everyday" vehicles converted either by the base vehicle manufacturer or a 3rd party.
None of them are built from the ground up as a Leisure vehicle.
How many owners who use their vehicle everyday have these problems, very few I would warrant.

 

[stationmaster]

No different to any Leisure vehicle. They are all based on " everyday" vehicles converted either by the base vehicle manufacturer or a 3rd party.
None of them are built from the ground up as a Leisure vehicle.
How many owners who use their vehicle everyday have these problems, very few I would warrant.

Helpful comments. In reality, we all use our vehicles slightly differently. True for "everyday" vehicles and as it is for leisure vehicles. Leaving the vehicle for a number of days/occasional week is all part of normal use for all vehicles.

 

[Sacha1dog]

reply from dealer:

In response to your email we have checked your vehicle details against VW’s outstanding campaigns & can confirm that the latest update, campaign code 27T7 doesn’t apply to your vehicle.

However, we are more than happy to haver a look at your vehicle & check the batteries.

So why are the batteries depleting so quickly then, and draining over a couple of days...?

 

[stationmaster]

reply from dealer:

In response to your email we have checked your vehicle details against VW’s outstanding campaigns & can confirm that the latest update, campaign code 27T7 doesn’t apply to your vehicle.

However, we are more than happy to haver a look at your vehicle & check the batteries.

So why are the batteries depleting so quickly then, and draining over a couple of days...?

I get you. VW and their dealer network do not fully understand the issue at the moment - a little like the bellows issue but much harder to fix is my guess...and the bellows issue went on for years!

 

[thatsnotmynaim]

I’ve had our Beach since May and never noticed an issue with starter battery, although today just checked as haven’t used it for a few weeks and see this, does that mean we have an issue or not ?!?


Have plugged it in and seems to be charging, am going on holiday to France soon so wonder if to buy a boost charger from Amazon just in case and if so any advice on which one?!?

 

[WelshGas]

I’ve had our Beach since May and never noticed an issue with starter battery, although today just checked as haven’t used it for a few weeks and see this, does that mean we have an issue or not ?!?
View attachment 139115
View attachment 139114
Have plugged it in and seems to be charging, am going on holiday to France soon so wonder if to buy a boost charger from Amazon just in case and if so any advice on which one?!?

Engine battery fine. I presume you've just opened the vehicle so the vehicle computers have switched on hence 3 amp draw.
What have you got plugged into the Leisure system that's giving a 10 amp draw?

 

[thatsnotmynaim]

Yes just opened to check as now worried also when van is locked I can't connect via bluetooth.
I just plugged the van into the mains on the ehu socket, presume 10 A is the draw to charge it up as nothing inside is on or plugged in. The van has no fridge and nothing plugged in like phones / tablets etc so nothing in the van should be drawing beyond charging systems I presume..

 

[thatsnotmynaim]

At 50% now, tbh more worried why vehicle battery is at 60%..

 

[WelshGas]

At 50% now, tbh more worried why vehicle battery is at 60%..

View attachment 139116

You are on EHU so both batteries are being charged.
The % is a spot calculation based on the Current Draw at that time and is not that accurate. Ignition On/Off will recalculate.

 

[jandeb]

En vw forhandler oplyser følgende:
Inden motoren stoppes trykkes på P (parking) knappen, hvor efter der slukkes for motoren.
Dette skulle løse problemet med afladning af motorbatteri i stilstand.

 

[thatsnotmynaim]

A VW dealer states the following:
Before stopping the engine, press the P (parking) button, after which the engine is turned off.
This should solve the problem of engine battery discharge when stationary.

Really?!?!

 

[thatsnotmynaim]

For me I guess I could take my EcoFlow and if the worst happens connect that to the ehu socket to recharge the van rather than buy a portable Noco charger / boost thing?! Kids can charge their kit from that then also on the trip..

 

[sticky1]

For me I guess I could take my EcoFlow and if the worst happens connect that to the ehu socket to recharge the van rather than buy a portable Noco charger / boost thing?! Kids can charge their kit from that then also on the trip..

That’s what I do. You also have access to more than 300w limit that the onboard inverter provides when not on EHU.

 

[andyrosh]

That’s rubbish.
I rang today, and mine isn’t even out the factory.
Maybe they re wiring it

Ok …diesel ocean back today after external power not working and not charging..again
Spoke to tech who was great…aparently if you flick the external breaker ( back left above the shower head) off before or after using external power it can sometimes send a fault message to the system and shut off the inverter module ..which in turn means no external power or charging…this in turn shows external power unavailable and ground power connected warning when driving!.and shows 5.0v in the leisure batteries…..the fault can only be reset at the dealership. Advice is LEAVE the breaker on ALL the time ..don’t flick it off and don’t push the test button ( no real need anyway!) …let’s see how we get on!!!

 

[andyrosh]

wewll not so good...after 4 days the original fault resurfaced.....back to them tomorrow !

See my other reply…got back van and upshot was don’t flick the external power breaker off…ever…even tho the online manual says to do so before connecting external power…flicking the breaker can cause the inverter to go mad!…needing reset at dealership ..breeze were great…steve the tech talked me thru the problems they were seeing

 

[andyrosh]

Ok …diesel ocean back today after external power not working and not charging..again
Spoke to tech who was great…aparently if you flick the external breaker ( back left above the shower head) off before or after using external power it can sometimes send a fault message to the system and shut off the inverter module ..which in turn means no external power or charging…this in turn shows external power unavailable and ground power connected warning when driving!.and shows 5.0v in the leisure batteries…..the fault can only be reset at the dealership. Advice is LEAVE the breaker on ALL the time ..don’t flick it off and don’t push the test button ( no real need anyway!) …let’s see how we get on!!!

Ohhh …the confusion on using the breaker before connecting external power comes from the online manual in the van which says to do so!!!…VW have been made aware to maybe change the manual

 

[andyrosh]

Such a pain it’s not easy to get to the starter battery. What I would have liked to have done is do a before and after draw test on the battery to see if the update had shut down background systems as it’s supposed too. That way I’d know straight away if it’s worked instead of having sit around for days not using the van.

Spoke to tech re the starter battery..an hours job and seat has to be removed!….he says if it’s under warranty don’t start playing around …VW can see if you have even put a volt meter across any of the leisure batteries ( and probably the starter battery) due to their monitoring module!… VW can get arsey if they see this

 

[andyrosh]

I believe that 2A drain is far too much for a rear screen; I asked about that and they said an easy answer " this is not an accurate data it is just a reference; for sure thay have no clue,

I got the 2A drain come on when blue tooth was activated

 

[Rubinstein]

I got the 2A drain come on when blue tooth was activated

I really hope your troubles are now over and you can just get on with enjoying your van mate, all the best to you

 

[sticky1]

Spoke to tech re the starter battery..an hours job and seat has to be removed!….he says if it’s under warranty don’t start playing around …VW can see if you have even put a volt meter across any of the leisure batteries ( and probably the starter battery) due to their monitoring module!… VW can get arsey if they see this

It’s hard to believe changing the starter battery is now a dealer job, especially in campervan where it’s highly likely the van could be parked up and the doors opened regularly as well as other loads like the parking heater.
I suspect putting a meter across the batteries would be impossible to detect. In fact when I started investigating detailed monitoring of a 12v battery I ground it needs highly specialist kit.