Battery management issues VW New California T7

[sticky1]

Hi just experienced the same problems with my T/ Ocean PHEV First battery discharged: Some problems with leisure but still 30% when engine battery got flat. No clue what happened, Going to dealer tomorrow,

That’s very frustrating. I hope they get this fixed soon.

 

[Jerrywho]

I bought a 3 pin to charger cable so can hook it up if needed at a house / friends / random location.

But if it’s not 100% after being overnight suggests something isn’t right - either fuse or the charging point wasn’t working?

Even with the fridge on full the draw from the charger should be more than used while on camping mode

Battery on my T7 discharged and can only recharge by plugging to power electricity; but does not charge while driving; Ive been told by dealer itr will be fixed as soon the software is ready for it...pending..... BUt I can say that in 2h aproximately leisure battery was charged from 0 to 100% but not while driving.
I also had a discharged 12V battery in a very similar way as some users described. Right now it is at VW service trying to fix it. Iwill be back with news

 

[Jerrywho]

I haven't experienced any errors regarding charging from the engine as you mention, I hope you find the cause

However i can confirm that the drainage of my car battery while camping has stopped after disabling keyless access, wireless carplay, wifi sharing and bluetooth in the infotainment system and deleting the VW apps from my phone.

Isnt it too much??? This is not fair for a 80.000€ van. By the way how can you disable keyless acces?

 

[Jerrywho]

Our brand new California T7 Ocean hybrid was towed to the dealer this weekend because the battery was completely dead. Very frustrating experience on a 1 month old car.
(Mads-P and cn70, if possible I would like to write to you directly to hear how you have dealt with the dealer and what measures you have taken to prevent this from happening again? However, I am completely new to this forum and can't figure out how to write private messages? I am also from Denmark, the car was purchased from VW Amager).

It seems to be pandemic!!! This is really frustrating!!!

 

[WelshGas]

Isnt it too much??? This is not fair for a 80.000€ van. By the way how can you disable keyless acces?

Via the Infotainment system Central Locking.

 

[Mads-P]

Battery on my T7 discharged and can only recharge by plugging to power electricity; but does not charge while driving; Ive been told by dealer itr will be fixed as soon the software is ready for it...pending..... BUt I can say that in 2h aproximately leisure battery was charged from 0 to 100% but not while driving.
I also had a discharged 12V battery in a very similar way as some users described. Right now it is at VW service trying to fix it. Iwill be back with news

As you can read above, mine did also stop charging the batteries when driving. Second time at the dealer (because the battery drained) I demanded they investigated in more detail as I was sure i charged when I first got it - and they also initially said it was because of the software.

It turned out there was some kind a power distributor that was broken and after fixing it I have not had any issues. When camping we have had it plugged in 230V just to be on the safe side, but I have not had any issues.

Point is that it should charge when driving - it is not due to the software.


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[Jerrywho]

As you can read above, mine did also stop charging the batteries when driving. Second time at the dealer (because the battery drained) I demanded they investigated in more detail as I was sure i charged when I first got it - and they also initially said it was because of the software.

It turned out there was some kind a power distributor that was broken and after fixing it I have not had any issues. When camping we have had it plugged in 230V just to be on the safe side, but I have not had any issues.

Point is that it should charge when driving - it is not due to the software.


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Thks!!! AT pick up hopefully today I will see what they found and I will keep your explanations" in my pocket": I will come bcak!

 

[omaralrawi]

Looks like the only model without problems is the 2.0TSI. It’s a shame, the idea of hybrid sounded really good

 

[Californication69]

Thks!!! AT pick up hopefully today I will see what they found and I will keep your explanations" in my pocket": I will come bcak!

Keep us posted !
Good luck

 

[Californication69]

Looks like the only model without problems is the 2.0TSI. It’s a shame, the idea of hybrid sounded really good

It will be good when they ironed out the features.
(*bad FW/SW coding or hardware failure points)

 

[jamesC]

Slightly off topic, but it seems we have several actual owners of the eHybrid here, what is the capacity and type of leisure batteries used on the T7 Ocean? I have read they might be Lithium, and possibly 40Ah, which seems alot less than the 75Ah T6.1 Ocean batteries?? How are people finding the off grid usage?

 

[Woodstock25]

It seems to be pandemic!!! This is really frustrating!!!

I’m sick to death with this. Just dropped off some stuff from my first van to the dealer. My new one is still sitting there, all plated up ready to go, but flat leisure batteries that won’t charge, and nothing more definitive from VW on the alleged fix!

 

[WelshGas]

Slightly off topic, but it seems we have several actual owners of the eHybrid here, what is the capacity and type of leisure batteries used on the T7 Ocean? I have read they might be Lithium, and possibly 40Ah, which seems alot less than the 75Ah T6.1 Ocean batteries?? How are people finding the off grid usage?

Although the Transporter based Californias SE/Ocean had 2 x 75 amp AGM batteries you could only realistically use 50% - 75 amps without damaging the batteries or certainly shortening their life.
The T7 equivalent has 2 x 40 amp Lithium batteries and basically ALL 80 amps can be used without damage.

 

[Nimrodski]

Looks like the only model without problems is the 2.0TSI. It’s a shame, the idea of hybrid sounded really good

I have the TSI. The starter battery looses 10% a day when parked up. The one time I went camping the starter battery nearly went flat. So, also awaiting a software update. There’s seems to be multiple battery problems out there and no comprehensive audit/record of what they are. VW needs to update their dealers who in turn need to update owners asap.

 

[WelshGas]

I have the TSI. The starter battery looses 10% a day when parked up. The one time I went camping the starter battery nearly went flat. So, also awaiting a software update. There’s seems to be multiple battery problems out there and no comprehensive audit/record of what they are. VW needs to update their dealers who in turn need to update owners asap.

Did you try disabling the Keyless Access function when camping?
If present in the vehicle then the vehicle electronics are kept active .
You need to Disable in the Infotainment system or use a Faraday Pouch to isolate the remote/remotes.

 

[sticky1]

Did you try disabling the Keyless Access function when camping?
If present in the vehicle then the vehicle electronics are kept active .
You need to Disable in the Infotainment system or use a Faraday Pouch to isolate the remote/remotes.

It’s clearly not universal as I’m not seeing this with my petrol version.
There seems to be plenty of comments from hybrid users, so clearly something for some of those owners.
I still have keyless entry turned on and haven’t seen the starter battery report lower than 80%, that I can remember.
I have left it locked and unused for two weeks with no issues.
I have also camped in it for fives days, without turning on the ignition and had no issues so far.

 

[Nimrodski]

Did you try disabling the Keyless Access function when camping?
If present in the vehicle then the vehicle electronics are kept active .
You need to Disable in the Infotainment system or use a Faraday Pouch to isolate the remote/remotes.

Camping mode was activated, with keyless access disabled. When I realised what was happening, to avoid a flat starter battery I did not use the driver/passenger doors and disabled Bluetooth, . Wireless Apple Car Play and WiFi sharing. My van’s battery management system is poorly.

 

[Nimrodski]

Ok. Well that just makes me feel jealous! TBH although my central control panel is reporting significant drain on the starter battery it may not be reflecting reality. The garage said the battery is healthy but (with the various screenshots are shared with them) recognised that there was an underlying issue, most probably software related.

 

[Nimrodski]

Ok. Well that just makes me feel jealous! TBH although my central control panel is reporting significant drain on the starter battery it may not be reflecting reality. The garage said the battery is healthy but (with the various screenshots I shared with them) recognised that there was an underlying issue, most probably software related.

(Apologies, above my reply to sticky1)

 

[Steven78]

My T7 Cali Ocean was more than one month at the garage. While beeing there the problem occoured again: They charged the batteries and a few days later the car was "dead" again. They said there is no error code recorded, reachard the battery and returned the car to me.
They had it for a month and essantially did nothing to fix it.

I asked if it's a known and common problem and if a software update is on the way.
They answered: No and No.
They said I just should observe the car - whatever that means.

It's hard to describe how frustrated I am.

I sincerely hope the "rumours" about the update are right and everything is ok in a few week.
BTW - will the update be installed over the air, or do I need to make an appointment with the workshop for that?

 

[sticky1]

My T7 Cali Ocean was more than one month at the garage. While beeing there the problem occoured again: They charged the batteries and a few days later the car was "dead" again. They said there is no error code recorded, reachard the battery and returned the car to me.
They had it for a month and essantially did nothing to fix it.

I asked if it's a known and common problem and if a software update is on the way.
They answered: No and No.
They said I just should observe the car - whatever that means.

It's hard to describe how frustrated I am.

I sincerely hope the "rumours" about the update are right and everything is ok in a few week.
BTW - will the update be installed over the air, or do I need to make an appointment with the workshop for that

My T7 Cali Ocean was more than one month at the garage. While beeing there the problem occoured again: They charged the batteries and a few days later the car was "dead" again. They said there is no error code recorded, reachard the battery and returned the car to me.
They had it for a month and essantially did nothing to fix it.

I asked if it's a known and common problem and if a software update is on the way.
They answered: No and No.
They said I just should observe the car - whatever that means.

It's hard to describe how frustrated I am.

I sincerely hope the "rumours" about the update are right and everything is ok in a few week.
BTW - will the update be installed over the air, or do I need to make an appointment with the workshop for that?

That must be so frustrating.
The benefit of this forum is you can point to other people with the same problems.
The last over the air update I had on my petrol Ocean was 19th June.

 

[Jerrywho]

My T7 Cali Ocean was more than one month at the garage. While beeing there the problem occoured again: They charged the batteries and a few days later the car was "dead" again. They said there is no error code recorded, reachard the battery and returned the car to me.
They had it for a month and essantially did nothing to fix it.

I asked if it's a known and common problem and if a software update is on the way.
They answered: No and No.
They said I just should observe the car - whatever that means.

It's hard to describe how frustrated I am.

I sincerely hope the "rumours" about the update are right and everything is ok in a few week.
BTW - will the update be installed over the air, or do I need to make an appointment with the workshop for that?

Hi Steven; running to exactly same problems in the first battery with my T7 Ocean PHEV ; twice volkswagen assistance on the road; also leisure battery; yes very frustrating indeed ; a costly fully new van!, Mine still at the garage: Hope to pick it up this week. please keep sharing info!! I will as welll

 

[Jerrywho]

As you can read above, mine did also stop charging the batteries when driving. Second time at the dealer (because the battery drained) I demanded they investigated in more detail as I was sure i charged when I first got it - and they also initially said it was because of the software.

It turned out there was some kind a power distributor that was broken and after fixing it I have not had any issues. When camping we have had it plugged in 230V just to be on the safe side, but I have not had any issues.

Point is that it should charge when driving - it is not due to the software.


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[Jerrywho]

DOes it finally recharge while driving? Problem was with both ,right??
Could you give more details on what the failure was?
Mine still at the garage....hope this nightmare ends soon....

 

[Californication69]

This all smells like the dc-dc converter in the LR Defender 2024 issue.
Wife’s car had the message to stop safely - Electrical fault.
We had had the car for 6 weeks from new.
Rescued on the very first fully electric flat bed truck of the AA. Very cool truck.
Took it to Ludlow and lent us a car next day.
They replaced the converter the next day and road tested it for 3 days.
Lent us a v8 RR sport which was very thirsty.
They said don’t bother filling it up.
They filled the wife’s car up with £90 of diesel as a peace offering.
Sinclair Ludlow went above and beyond tbh.
No further issues for 14 months. Fingers crossed.

You’d have thought VW don’t want this on launching a new product and would sort it quicker.