Battery management issues VW New California T7

[stationmaster]

Excellent!

 

[stationmaster]

Yep updated. All good, you have to reconfigure a few settings which is a pain but it’s ok. Obviously will still drain over time, but now it’s same as my 6.1 was, so no more obsessing over battery voltage

...and can you tell us, did you have to reconfigure things to enable the update to work properly and to minimize the battery drain, or just stuff that got changed by the update?

And...so you've changed from a T6.1 to the T7...exactly what I am thinking of doing - how have you found the new van? Pleased with the change from your previous one?

 

[Rubinstein]

"...you have to reconfigure a few settings" - can you give more details please?

Sure, so on my van it reset the rear info screen, like a factory rest, so had to establish a new Bluetooth connection and re do lighting config, camping mode etc, no biggie. Infotainment screen seemed to be unchanged but I’m not 100% of all my settings as the van is so new, but all the user stuff was ok. Would be good to know if the update actually adds any new features as I’m not familiar with it yet I can’t say, need to get out and use the bloody thing

 

[Rubinstein]

...and can you tell us, did you have to reconfigure things to enable the update to work properly and to minimize the battery drain, or just stuff that got changed by the update?

And...so you've changed from a T6.1 to the T7...exactly what I am thinking of doing - how have you found the new van? Pleased with the change from your previous one?

You don’t have to do anything with the update, just let the van do its thing. Now I’ve stopped stressing over the battery I’m head over heels with the van, it’s a proper piece of kit. My 6.1 was converted Dsg high line 2021, not a cali so I can’t compare to 6.1 cali. However, for me T7 is a massive refinement over my previous van. Obviously some of this is because it’s cali spec, but it’s the drive and comfort over the 6.1 that really does it for me, plus all the toys the ocean has, definitely a keeper, 47 mpg is nice as well . If you test one recon you’ll be tempted

 

[stationmaster]

Hi everyone,
As an owner of a VW New California Beach Camper eHybrid, i have been experiencing some battery management issues that other owners have been similarly complaining about (both hybrid and non-hybrid models).
Concretely: it seems that once parked (whether or not in camping mode), the vehicle primarily depletes the vehicle’s 12v battery, instead of the auxiliary camping battery. This has led some owners to wake up to a fully depleted 12v vehicle battery and having to call assistance to jump start the vehicle.
My question is if anyone here has had the same issue and had it resolved?
My best regards

Hello hckz

Do you know if this issue has been resolved in your country? It appears to be a problem for all engine variants in the UK, but some reports say that VW are making some improvements with software - not certain it is sorted yet though.

Thank you

 

[Lakes_Puma]

Is there any way of telling if the update has been done, I specifically asked my dealer to do it before I picked the van up but I've just checked my main battery voltage and it was 11.9v, I did a 100 mile round trip 2 days ago so this seems very low to me?

 

[Sacha1dog]

Not sure. I wouldn’t focus too much on the update quoted above, mine apparently didn’t need the update, but it still suffers from battery drain.

 

[sticky1]

Is there any way of telling if the update has been done, I specifically asked my dealer to do it before I picked the van up but I've just checked my main battery voltage and it was 11.9v, I did a 100 mile round trip 2 days ago so this seems very low to me?

I wouldn’t necessarily trust that figure either, if it’s from the California app.
I have turned on low voltage push alerts from my tracker and what was 12.1 on the California app was 12.6 via the tracker, which also tells you exactly the time it collected the data.

 

[Rubinstein]

Is there any way of telling if the update has been done, I specifically asked my dealer to do it before I picked the van up but I've just checked my main battery voltage and it was 11.9v, I did a 100 mile round trip 2 days ago so this seems very low to me?

You could call a different dealer and give them your chassis number and they can check firstly to see if your van requires the update or if it’s been carried out. I was given warranty paperwork showing the update had been done.

 

[stationmaster]

Not sure. I wouldn’t focus too much on the update quoted above, mine apparently didn’t need the update, but it still suffers from battery drain.

Sacha1dog - you mentioned earlier in the thread you were considering rejecting the vehicle. Has there been any progress enabling you to feel more confident VW will get this sorted?

 

[hckz]

My vehicle (Beach Camper eHybrid) has received the aforementioned recall software update. I have done a vehicle standby test during 14 days, with the PHEV battery charged to 80% before leaving the vehicle idle. You can see the results in the picture below.
It seems that even though the second battery depletes first, there is still excessive battery drainage for both batteries, and this for a vehicle that is not moving. During the 14 days I have not used the VW app as not to “awake” the vehicle.
It is fair to say that the problem is NOT solved. It is not normal for a vehicle to deplete at such rate and to limit users to not leave their car parked for more than 14 days at the risk of having to call road assistance.
I can also say that i have caught wind that there are more and more users formally gathering to formally set up a common legal claim.

 

[Californication69]

And for that reason Michael, I’m out.

 

[stationmaster]

And for that reason Michael, I’m out.

Do you have one on order?

 

[WelshGas]

My vehicle (Beach Camper eHybrid) has received the aforementioned recall software update. I have done a vehicle standby test during 14 days, with the PHEV battery charged to 80% before leaving the vehicle idle. You can see the results in the picture below.
It seems that even though the second battery depletes first, there is still excessive battery drainage for both batteries, and this for a vehicle that is not moving. During the 14 days I have not used the VW app as not to “awake” the vehicle.
It is fair to say that the problem is NOT solved. It is not normal for a vehicle to deplete at such rate and to limit users to not leave their car parked for more than 14 days at the risk of having to call road assistance.
I can also say that i have caught wind that there are more and more users formally gathering to formally set up a common legal claim.

View attachment 139301

What does the EV battery show?

 

[Californication69]

Do you have one on order?

Yes

 

[Corradobrit]

And for that reason Michael, I’m out.

Smart move. Who needs that headache. I can deal with the leaky bellows, but rapid depletion of battery power to the point they need replacement after only a couple of weeks of standing is a whole other level.

 

[Rubinstein]

My vehicle (Beach Camper eHybrid) has received the aforementioned recall software update. I have done a vehicle standby test during 14 days, with the PHEV battery charged to 80% before leaving the vehicle idle. You can see the results in the picture below.
It seems that even though the second battery depletes first, there is still excessive battery drainage for both batteries, and this for a vehicle that is not moving. During the 14 days I have not used the VW app as not to “awake” the vehicle.
It is fair to say that the problem is NOT solved. It is not normal for a vehicle to deplete at such rate and to limit users to not leave their car parked for more than 14 days at the risk of having to call road assistance.
I can also say that i have caught wind that there are more and more users formally gathering to formally set up a common legal claim.

View attachment 139301

Don’t get the second battery showing 13v yet it says it’s flat ?

 

[stationmaster]

Yes

...and considering your options?

 

[Californication69]

...and considering your options?

Absolutely, still want something to camp in, but need it to be super reliable for work.

 

[stationmaster]

Absolutely, still want something to camp in, but need it to be super reliable for work.

I'm in much the same position - I've considered the Citroen holiday, and maybe keeping my T6.1. Most important for me is reliability...can't be doing with breakdowns. You said: "I'm out" ... are you considering cancelling your T7 order?

 

[Californication69]

I'm in much the same position - I've considered the Citroen holiday, and maybe keeping my T6.1. Most important for me is reliability...can't be doing with breakdowns. You said: "I'm out" ... are you considering cancelling your T7 order?

Cancelled.
I can’t / haven’t the time to diagnose and visit the VW Van Centre multiple times a week.
I need a vehicle that gets me to Z, from A, with no interruptions, so I can support my customers and fulfil contract obligations.

 

[stationmaster]

Cancelled.
I can’t / haven’t the time to diagnose and visit the VW Van Centre multiple times a week.
I need a vehicle that gets me to Z, from A, with no interruptions, so I can support my customers and fulfil contract obligations.

Sounds like you made the right call

 

[sticky1]

Sounds like you made the right call

Hopefully VW will focus on fixing these issues if they start seeing orders cancelled.
I am very grateful not to have the issues others are suffering from.

 

[Sacha1dog]

Sacha1dog - you mentioned earlier in the thread you were considering rejecting the vehicle. Has there been any progress enabling you to feel more confident VW will get this sorted?

I took it back to to dealer 6 days ago, and left it with them to fix. I had a call to check on something but that was a few days ago.

Given it’s been this long, and no magic answer, it doesn’t fill me with confidence.

 

[Sacha1dog]

My vehicle (Beach Camper eHybrid) has received the aforementioned recall software update. I have done a vehicle standby test during 14 days, with the PHEV battery charged to 80% before leaving the vehicle idle. You can see the results in the picture below.
It seems that even though the second battery depletes first, there is still excessive battery drainage for both batteries, and this for a vehicle that is not moving. During the 14 days I have not used the VW app as not to “awake” the vehicle.
It is fair to say that the problem is NOT solved. It is not normal for a vehicle to deplete at such rate and to limit users to not leave their car parked for more than 14 days at the risk of having to call road assistance.
I can also say that i have caught wind that there are more and more users formally gathering to formally set up a common legal claim.

View attachment 139301

My dealer said there was an issue with the hybrid vehicles, whereby following a charge, the vehicle doesn’t turn off some internal functions and this causes excessive drain. He said that VW were working on a fix, but hadn’t released one yet. Sounds like the issue you might have.