Leisure Battery Charging problems

[oilydavid]

2016 Ocean 150Ps Dsg... Batteries got low, hookup did not seem to be charging them. Took to dealer who checked system allegedly and charged the batteries, no fault found. 3 weeks later started vehicle ( no electrical services used during 3 weeks) Voltage plausability fault message came up , after a few minutes running display returned but G and plug symbol flashing. Went to dealer who said put it on hookup charge. 36 hours later 14.5 v disconnect hookup and still both G and plug symbol flash. Never had battery problems with previous Californias in 4 years..is any one else having these problems... the handbook implies the plug symbol should not flash on and off .. I need to find a dealer who knows about the electrics I am located near Stratford upon Avon

 

[jts46]

Listers of Coventry, Foleshill rd Ricoh Arena end

 

[Mincepie100]

Hi
I’m new to Cali camping but I bought a brand new 2017 model in October and had leisure batteries charging problems , took it back to the dealers to sort under warranty in the end , a 100amp fuse (I think) had blown , if you check my thread you’ll see the story clearer.
Hope thi helps

 

[RodCouncil]

I had the Voltage plausability fault on our T5.1 and it was fixed as well as the same charging issues by re-securing the earth shunt behing the fridge, VW Stockholm did this without fridge removal, been perfect ever since. Amazing it's happened on such a new van.

You can self fix too, nice article in the VIP section, but I was charged about 90 quid and decided my knuckles were worth it.

 

[oilydavid]

Still having problems, leisure battery goes flat in 8 days, always showing 0.4Amps on display even when everything is off which is a lot.. vehicle now having a holiday at Listers Coventry..suggesting a leisure battery failure..has anyone had this type of problem. I have had 2 previous Californias and never had batteres going down so quickly.

 

[Hotel California]

Have you been doing research on the forum?
Lots of other treads giving info .
Are you sure you 2 lesurebats. are working ...? Have you mesured them at the battery itself , did you check if the charger works ?

Easyest way is drive to your dealer , warrenty .

 

[MattBW]

Yes as Hotel C states, measure the voltage on the batteries and check the fuses between the leisure batteries. It sounds like you may be running on one battery perhaps, either one is no good or the fuse has gone.

If one is no good you will lose charge from the good one into the bad one rapidly. My money would be on that over the fuse being gone.

 

[AlanC]

I know it sound obvious, but I assume you do not have anything plugged into the 2 pin Euro socket on the B pillar behind the passenger seat?

The inverter is switched on when a plug is inserted into the socket. If you have left an adapter plugged in, then that will have switched on the inverter and so drain both leisure batteries over time, even if nothing is plugged into the adapter.

Alan

 

[oilydavid]

Dealer says all batteries are fine, no fault found so back to square one.. I shall monitor very carefully and keep a record..thanks for your comments

 

[Loz]

make sure you don't leave any usb charging adaptors plugged into the 12v sockets and also turn off the camping control panel with 2 presses and see if they hold up for longer?

 

[WelshGas]

Dealer says all batteries are fine, no fault found so back to square one.. I shall monitor very carefully and keep a record..thanks for your comments

Something is not right. Just done 27 days with the van parked up at Heathrow Long Stay Car Park.
Leisure Batteries remained at 100% charge and a voltage of 12.7v even after 27 days. Control Panel Off.
So if your batteries only last 8 days, with Nothing plugged in to the 12v or Inverter Socket, then something is seriously wrong.

 

[sidepod]

Ameter on the battery anyone? See what’s it’s pulling?

 

[Max-Felix]

Dealer says all batteries are fine, no fault found so back to square one.. I shall monitor very carefully and keep a record..thanks for your comments

"They always say that Sir...".

As always, Cali dealers are not specialists - try a local recommended mobile auto electrician who will fully test and disgnose the system and battery health.

You could 'threaten' the dealer with this in a nice way - you will need to give them a certain chance to fix the issue first but then if not resolved (having gone through the correct legal/consumer protocol) you can fix it yourself via a third party and bill the dealer. Or if you have more money than time and understandably don't want/need the hassle/stress then just pay the auto-elec yourself.

 

[oilydavid]

After 2 days at Listers Coventry got the vehicle back on Wednesday evening, now only 60% left after 66 hrs ..I was told everything was fine, batteries checked, charging OK and no drain..nobody at dealer seems to think 0.4Amps drain shown on display when everything is off matters. I disagree and now at wits end..still under warranty and going to talk to VW service UK

 

[Hotel California]

Having seen your respond in this post
https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/battery-drain.17633/

I can not belive you did not noticed this from the beginning when getting all the tips on the forum, this means that from 20dec up till now you did not noticed that you had something plugged in . And checking with a voltmeter as advised it also seems you did not ....

Lesson learned i hope ....

 

[oilydavid]

I only got the tip on the inverter plug in a post on Wednesdayt his week.

The vehicle was at the dealer till wed night and unfortunately I assumed the dealer would have checked the inverter plug. They claimed they had checked for any power drain so I assumed all would be well. They said they had checked other vehicles but the 0.4 amp read-out was still there

Today I found the batteries were going flat again so checked the forum again across several threads as well as this one It was only an hour ago I rechecked all the posts and checked this my self. As it is under warranty I was wary about intervening with a voltmeter/ammeter.

Now contacting both dealers to advise they update their processes to include the inverter for plug adapters.