Leisure Batteries

simplybikes · Apr 14, 2015

Hi folks....I've had an interesting time recently in relation to leisure batteries. For a while now I've been under the impression that the leisure batteries have not been holding their charge so I took the Cali to my local VW commercial service depot (Dublin, Ireland not Ohio). A big impressive place so I thought theses lads will know the score. I left the van with them for 5 days and at the end of the time they told me the Cali only had one leisure battery which was under the passenger seat? WTF. They showed me the diagnostic test which showed that there were only 2 batteries - 1 in the engine compartment and one under the seat. Needless to say I said what about the battery under the wardrobe, no battery there mate. Wait I said let me show you. Look at that, it looks like a battery to me. Oh, sorry about that, nothing we can do.
I left there and a few weeks later took it to the largest Cali dealer on the island, in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, a 2 1/2 hr drive away.
Guess what - exactly the same storey. Diagnostic test showed only 1 leisure battery. What about the one under the wardrobe? Oh. Drove home none the wiser about the drain in the leisure batteries and now knowing that VW dealers in Ireland no matter how big they are have not got a clue about the electrics in the Cali. I'm at a loss as to know what to do other than order new batteries and hope for the best. Such is the life of a Cali owner.

777111 · Apr 14, 2015

simplybikes said:
Hi folks....I've had an interesting time recently in relation to leisure batteries. For a while now I've been under the impression that the leisure batteries have not been holding their charge so I took the Cali to my local VW commercial service depot (Dublin, Ireland not Ohio). A big impressive place so I thought theses lads will know the score. I left the van with them for 5 days and at the end of the time they told me the Cali only had one leisure battery which was under the passenger seat? WTF. They showed me the diagnostic test which showed that there were only 2 batteries - 1 in the engine compartment and one under the seat. Needless to say I said what about the battery under the wardrobe, no battery there mate. Wait I said let me show you. Look at that, it looks like a battery to me. Oh, sorry about that, nothing we can do.
I left there and a few weeks later took it to the largest Cali dealer on the island, in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, a 2 1/2 hr drive away.
Guess what - exactly the same storey. Diagnostic test showed only 1 leisure battery. What about the one under the wardrobe? Oh. Drove home none the wiser about the drain in the leisure batteries and now knowing that VW dealers in Ireland no matter how big they are have not got a clue about the electrics in the Cali. I'm at a loss as to know what to do other than order new batteries and hope for the best. Such is the life of a Cali owner.

Incredible - nearly. Actually not much surprises me from most of the dealerships - thankfully there are a few exceptions...
If I leave any vehicle with any dealer I go through every detail and then check every detail afterwards - disappointment almost always guaranteed.
5 days to assess current drain? Wow - that's poor.
Let VWCS know - I am sure they will do very little but you gotta try.

The leisure batteries need a regular top-up if the vehicle isn't used - maybe this is just normal?

simplybikes · Apr 14, 2015

There is a new dealership just opened based right next door to VW HQ so I'm going to try them and see what happens. At least they don't have far to go to get the info so I'm hopeful.

777111 · Apr 14, 2015

... at least in theory.... :headbang

Worth a shot.

snowy55 · Apr 14, 2015

simplybikes said:
Hi folks....I've had an interesting time recently in relation to leisure batteries. For a while now I've been under the impression that the leisure batteries have not been holding their charge so I took the Cali to my local VW commercial service depot (Dublin, Ireland not Ohio). A big impressive place so I thought theses lads will know the score. I left the van with them for 5 days and at the end of the time they told me the Cali only had one leisure battery which was under the passenger seat? WTF. They showed me the diagnostic test which showed that there were only 2 batteries - 1 in the engine compartment and one under the seat. Needless to say I said what about the battery under the wardrobe, no battery there mate. Wait I said let me show you. Look at that, it looks like a battery to me. Oh, sorry about that, nothing we can do.
I left there and a few weeks later took it to the largest Cali dealer on the island, in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, a 2 1/2 hr drive away.
Guess what - exactly the same storey. Diagnostic test showed only 1 leisure battery. What about the one under the wardrobe? Oh. Drove home none the wiser about the drain in the leisure batteries and now knowing that VW dealers in Ireland no matter how big they are have not got a clue about the electrics in the Cali. I'm at a loss as to know what to do other than order new batteries and hope for the best. Such is the life of a Cali owner.

Which Cali do you own? SE?Beach? How old is it?

simplybikes · Apr 14, 2015

T5 2006

Meoncoast · Apr 14, 2015

Perhaps if the "computer says" there is only one under the seat and one under the bonnet, there is an issue with the conections to the computer from your secret battery hidden under the wardrobe ??.
My 1st thoughts I would expect the VW engineer to think " Hm it is only showing the battery under the seat and under the bonnet I WOUNDER WHY THE BATTERY IN THE BACK IS NOT RECORDED" I had better check it out ???? Good luck.

simplybikes · Apr 14, 2015

Nothing surprises me in relation to this issue. They seem clueless but more importantly they seem to be not willing to put any effort into solving it. It's as if it were just too much trouble. The problem over here is that there are not enough Cali's to make it worthwhile. I'm going to take the diagnostic read outs from the first garage to the new place and say before you tell me there is only one battery take a look at that yoke in the cupboard and factor it into the equation.

Californiaman · Apr 14, 2015

The batteries are connected together so if one fails, it effectively wipes both out. To test the voltage, you need to disconnect them.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

snowy55 · Apr 14, 2015

Isn't there a big fuse between the 2 leisure batteries? Has that blown therefore only showing 1 battery? Is the battery in the back totally kn@ckered therfore upsetting the diagnostic equipment?
If I were you I wouldn't bother with Vw. I would go to either a well qualified well equipped auto electrician or to a caravan / motorhome specialist who know about leisure batteries.

777111 · Apr 14, 2015

Yeah, if its not warranty then go to a specialist if you can get a recommendation.
Personally I would disconnect both leisure batteries and get them tested first.
Check continuity between the two (& the aforementioned fuse).

I hope they didn't charge you for 5 days messing around achieving 'nout?

sidepod · Apr 14, 2015

Check your overhead display panel. There is a way to set this into diagnostic mode. If it's anyhting like the T4 then you can select/set the number of batteries.
It may be that it's set wrong and as such the VW computer thinks there's only one fitted.. Just a hunch.
Somebody here will explain how to access the diagnostic mode, then scroll through the functions until you see batteries.

S.

sidepod · Apr 14, 2015

snowy55 said:
Isn't there a big fuse between the 2 leisure batteries? Has that blown therefore only showing 1 battery? Is the battery in the back totally kn@ckered therfore upsetting the diagnostic equipment?
If I were you I wouldn't bother with Vw. I would go to either a well qualified well equipped auto electrician or to a caravan / motorhome specialist who know about leisure batteries.

Why would there be a fuse between them? The leisure batteries (if plural) are connected in parallel. I may be wrong of course.

simplybikes · Apr 14, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions, some great ideas there.

rod_vw · Apr 14, 2015

There are some wiring diagrams for various age Californias on my website here http://www.1946vw.co.uk/vwbooks/t5.htm

Maybe these will be of some help in understanding how they are connected.

Rod

simplybikes · Apr 15, 2015

Many thanks Rod

sidepod · Apr 15, 2015

Good link Rod.

Studying the diagram for the camper, there is indeed a fuse (S339 75A) on the second battery(A24) ?

The charge input comes in from from line 22 (onboard charger) at line 11 so it is true, if the fuse S339 is blown then the second battery will not charge. However, the shunt N162 should see this and flag up a warning on the overhead display.
Bear in mid this info is for 2009 onwards.

If your van is 2006 then new batteries are long overdue.

S.

Trav88 · Apr 19, 2015

Hi, the positive terminal on the battery in the wardrobe has a fuse on it. Or at least my one does. It's a very strange looking fuse, check to see if it's blown?