Battery problems with brand new California 2022

[duelago]

Hello from Sweden,

Just got my brand new Cali yesterday and been driving for approx 500 km. I turned on the fridge when the motor was running and my beer was cool at the destination. Next morning I realized that the fridge has been turned off and I get a battery empty warning.

I have a three hour drive to the dealership so I wanted to ask here first before I drive back.
Do anyone know what is wrong? Can I get this error if one of the two "camping batteries" are dead?

 

[Stu@rt]

Hi,
You say that you are on external hook up but the symbol that should be lit below the control panel isn't showing.

Does the socket on the end of the kitchen unit work when on hookup?
If not, you might want to check the breakers in the rear wardrobe and see that they haven't tripped.

That would be my first check.

Can you show the control panel voltages with the engine off and the EHU plugged in?

 

[Stu@rt]

Hi,
You say that you are on external hook up but the symbol that should be lit below the control panel isn't showing.

Does the socket on the end of the kitchen unit work when on hookup?
If not, you might want to check the breakers in the rear wardrobe and see that they haven't tripped.

That would be my first check.

Can you show the control panel voltages with the engine off and the EHU plugged in?

Just taken this pic of ours, for reference, so you can see that the orange symbol denotes that the EHU is connected.

 

[duelago]

Hi,
You say that you are on external hook up but the symbol that should be lit below the control panel isn't showing.

Does the socket on the end of the kitchen unit work when on hookup?
If not, you might want to check the breakers in the rear wardrobe and see that they haven't tripped.

That would be my first check.

Can you show the control panel voltages with the engine off and the EHU plugged in?

No response in the car when I give electricity from the outside.

Checked both camper batteries with a multimeter. Both showed 12.9 V. Even disconnected them from the car and both are still at 12.9 V. Could it be a fuse?

 

[Stu@rt]

No response in the car when I give electricity from the outside.

Checked both camper batteries with a multimeter. Both showed 12.9 V. Even disconnected them from the car and both are still at 12.9 V. Could it be a fuse?

Both camper batteries - The one under the seat and the one in the wardrobe?
12.9 is a fully charged battery.
But something is not right if your not seeing the EHU light on the control panel.
Did you check that both the breakers in the wardrobe were showing red ?

 

[duelago]

It is charging from the outside now at least (Main switch in the back was tripped) but I still have two perfect batteries but the control panel reports empty battery.

 

[duelago]

Both camper batteries - The one under the seat and the one in the wardrobe?

Yes. Checked both

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

No response in the car when I give electricity from the outside.

Checked both camper batteries with a multimeter. Both showed 12.9 V. Even disconnected them from the car and both are still at 12.9 V. Could it be a fuse?

No response in the car when I give electricity from the outside.

Have you checked the trip switches in the rear cupboard? If they are in the off position I don’t think your Van will ‘see’ you’re on EHU?

 

[Stu@rt]

It is charging from the outside now at least (Main switch in the back was tripped) but I still have two perfect batteries but the control panel reports empty battery.

View attachment 96743

Can you show the normal screen? Be interested to see what the voltages are now? Is there a +figure on the right of the "/" ?

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

It is charging from the outside now at least (Main switch in the back was tripped) but I still have two perfect batteries but the control panel reports empty battery.

View attachment 96743

Are you positive that the trip switch is in the correct position. I believe the plug symbol on your camping display should be orange not red?

 

[duelago]

Can you show the normal screen? Be interested to see what the voltages are now? Is there a +figure on the right of the "/" ?

This is how it looks now.

 

[duelago]

Are you positive that the trip switch is in the correct position. I believe the plug symbol on your camping display should be orange not red?

It is orange. Maybe bad colors on my chinese phone

 

[Stu@rt]

You said that you checked the voltage of the battery in the rear wardrobe compartment........In the same compartment is the battery charger. Might be worth checking that the mains cable is pushed firmly home on the charger. I understand that it can work loose, or maybe in your case not pushed home properly in the factory? Worth a check?

 

[WelshGas]

Hello from Sweden,

Just got my brand new Cali yesterday and been driving for approx 500 km. I turned on the fridge when the motor was running and my beer was cool at the destination. Next morning I realized that the fridge has been turned off and I get a battery empty warning.

I have a three hour drive to the dealership so I wanted to ask here first before I drive back.
Do anyone know what is wrong? Can I get this error if one of the two "camping batteries" are dead?

As above. If on Mains power is the Mains socket on the Kitchen unit powered?

If the Mains socket is powered check that the Mains lead is properly plugged into the battery charger.

The Battery charger is situated above the rear leisure battery accessed via a removable cover at the bottom of the rear wardrobe. The mains lead is black with a kettle type connector. Make sure it is properly inserted into the Battery Charger - then you should get the Orange Mains plug symbol on the Control Panel.

This is a frequently occurring problem on newly delivered California Oceans. The Dealership don't check this during the Pre-Delivery Check of the vehicle.

 

[duelago]

As above. If on Mains power is the Mains socket on the Kitchen unit powered?

If the Mains socket is powered check that the Mains lead is properly plugged into the battery charger.

The Battery charger is situated above the rear leisure battery accessed via a removable cover at the bottom of the rear wardrobe. The mains lead is black with a kettle type connector. Make sure it is properly inserted into the Battery Charger - then you should get the Orange Mains plug symbol on the Control Panel.

This is a frequently occurring problem on newly delivered California Oceans. The Dealership don't check this during the Pre-Delivery Check of the vehicle.

Thank you! I. will check this, but I already have the orange mains plug symbol on the control panel

 

[jonnystrong2000]

You said that you checked the voltage of the battery in the rear wardrobe compartment........In the same compartment is the battery charger. Might be worth checking that the mains cable is pushed firmly home on the charger. I understand that it can work loose, or maybe in your case not pushed home properly in the factory? Worth a check?

Yeah that happened to mine, appears the plug is in but needs a firm wiggle/push to make the connection

 

[duelago]

As above. If on Mains power is the Mains socket on the Kitchen unit powered?

If the Mains socket is powered check that the Mains lead is properly plugged into the battery charger.

The Battery charger is situated above the rear leisure battery accessed via a removable cover at the bottom of the rear wardrobe. The mains lead is black with a kettle type connector. Make sure it is properly inserted into the Battery Charger - then you should get the Orange Mains plug symbol on the Control Panel.

This is a frequently occurring problem on newly delivered California Oceans. The Dealership don't check this during the Pre-Delivery Check of the vehicle.

Found the plug. Removed it put it back again but that didn't do anything. I think the charger is working.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Before a long drive to your dealership, maybe call out VW assist?

 

[Stu@rt]

There is a control panel reset by pulling a few fuses under the seat but fear we might be clutching at straws now.......fuses 5-8 if I recall correctly??

 

[duelago]

Problem solved!!!!
Found another thread in the forum that gave me the hint. The solution for me was to disconnect both leisure batteries, wait for a while and connect them again. Seems to be a software glitch.

Thank you for all your help.

 

[duelago]

There is a control panel reset by pulling a few fuses under the seat but fear we might be clutching at straws now.......fuses 5-8 if I recall correctly??

This is it, but I did the same thing by disconnect both batteries. It is up and running

 

[Stu@rt]

This is it, but I did the same thing by disconnect both batteries. It is up and running

Fantastic

 

[sewb]

This is it, but I did the same thing by disconnect both batteries. It is up and running

Glad it's sorted - out of interest, how did you disconnect the 2 batteries?

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Been following with interest, what a great forum.

 

[duelago]

Glad it's sorted - out of interest, how did you disconnect the 2 batteries?

Yes!