Leisure battery problems with nearly new T6 California from VanCentre

[Wezza]

Hi, I have read many of these threads but havent seen the exact problem.

I am looking for advice on a VAS 6161 battery test result from VW that read 'Good-Recharge' even though it loses charge when left in the van over 1 week with no devices on (control panel reads 0.2A when switched on). VW won't accept my multimeter readings and therefore won't replace the battery under warranty. Is this VAS6161 test robust?

Many thanks in advance for any insights, Wezza

Background is as follows: I bought a 18month old T6 California Ocean in March before lockdown from CityGate Colindale (mileage only 1000 so been on forecourt for a while). I noticed during purchase process that the leisure batteries had been on 0% on a video sent to me before purchasing. When I picked the van up they had been charged and was reassured that they were fine, and if not then they would be covered by warranty. Drove home and batteries down to 80%, and then lost 10% per day till flat (0%). Recharged and same thing happened (multiple times).

Reading these forums it became clear that the batteries could be irrevocably damaged if left on forecourt with 0% for long period). Citygate told me to book into my nearest Van Centre (SMG Tonbridge) where the batteries would be investigated and replaced under warranty if faulty.

Then COVID lockdown happened and all the garages shut. When they reopened I took the van in and the garage got the batteries tested (results attached). They replaced the battery under the seat which reported a fault but not the one under the wardrobe ('rear') as the test read 'good, recharge'. They had charged the batteries before the test so the fact that this second battery was already down to 11.95V when tested is consistent with what happened on my drive. SMG say they cannot replace this battery under warranty as result of the VAS6161 says the battery is good. It still loses charge.

 

[Wendick]

I had same issue got no where with the dealer so fitted a solar panel all is fine now was peace of mind and cheaper than replacing the batteries for me

 

[AlisonF]

That’s very annoying. I believe it is recommended to replace both leisure batteries at the same time in an Ocean. When I reported faults, my dealer replaced all three (including engine battery) at their expense, due to the drainage being done when in the dealership.
I hope you get better service moving forward.

 

[Wezza]

Thanks Alison,

I am not giving up yet but it is frustrating as the problem is obvious and documented (I have emails and video evidence of the problem but Citygate Colindale are not interested in fixing the problem). The new battery is now being drained I think by the other still being in the van - I just read the new battery with a multimeter and it is at 80% (12.4V) 2 days after a full charge.

I hope someone out there has advice about the V6161 test result which is now preventing me from getting a resolution from VW (as they claim the battery reading is GOOD, even though it won't hold charge).

 

[Alan Andrews]

Take it along to Halfords.

They will do a test to see if the battery is knackered and should be replaced.

Of course they will look to sell you a replacement, but will need to demonstrate that this is required first.

 

[Wezza]

I had same issue got no where with the dealer so fitted a solar panel all is fine now was peace of mind and cheaper than replacing the batteries for me

Many thanks Wendick, I am thinking of getting a solar system fitted at some point but will try to get VW to replace the defective battery first. It seems a shame that a customer making a >£40K purchase for a nearly new luxury vehicle is treated as though they'd purchased a knackered old Transit. Not the image VW portrayed when I was looking to make the purchase.

 

[2into1]

It says 'good' but it's below 12v and then says recharge. That looks far from a glowing report to me.

 

[Wezza]

Take it along to Halfords.

They will do a test to see if the battery is knackered and should be replaced.

Of course they will look to sell you a replacement, but will need to demonstrate that this is required first.

Many thanks Alan, I did take it to a battery specialist centre who checked the battery and confirmed it was knackered (they were nice and said I should get it replaced under warranty first), but VW won't accept their result as they stand behind the VAS6161 result (which the garage said cost £2000 and was much more reliable than a multimeter)

 

[TripleBee]

Ask them to do a load test of the batteries with this beast.

The 6161 only measures the battery, this one will really load test the battery, and might show something different.
Show them the picture, and if the workshop is already long enough operative (more than 10 years) they must at least have used this one before they had the 6161.

 

[Alan Andrews]

Many thanks Alan, I did take it to a battery specialist centre who checked the battery and confirmed it was knackered (they were nice and said I should get it replaced under warranty first), but VW won't accept their result as they stand behind the VAS6161 result (which the garage said cost £2000 and was much more reliable than a multimeter)

Do you still have VW warranty?

If so, give VW assist a call. If they come out and test and say that the battery is knackered, then VW will not be able to challenge.

 

[Wezza]

It says 'good' but it's below 12v and then says recharge. That looks far from a glowing report to me.

I could not agree more! I looked at page 18 of the VAS6161 instruction manual online (https://vw.snapon.com/FileServerRoo...AS 6161 Battery Tester Instruction Manual.pdf) and it suggests that the battery be recharged and put back in operation. Not very helpful!

 

[Wezza]

Ask them to do a load test of the batteries with this beast.
View attachment 63677
The 6161 only measures the battery, this one will really load test the battery, and might show something different.
Show them the picture, and if the workshop is already long enough operative (more than 10 years) they must at least have used this one before they had the 6161.

That is a beast for sure!!!!

Thanks I will see if I can get the battery load tested (the garage refuse to do it but I can see if an independent will do it so I can get evidence of the problem). not impressed with VW Van centres or the VW Customer Service (who have now switched off their phone line and direct you to online)

 

[AlisonF]

There are a few threads on here that indicate how long the two batteries last on camping trips without hook up. Might be worth looking at those. Also, what I did was park it up and take the readings (% and V) from the control panel at a regular basis with nothing switched on.

 

[Wezza]

Do you still have VW warranty?

If so, give VW assist a call. If they come out and test and say that the battery is knackered, then VW will not be able to challenge.

Thanks Alan, I am still under warranty (I didn't realise you could get VW assist to come out for a leisure battery problem but will contact them and ask them).

 

[WelshGas]

That is a beast for sure!!!!

Thanks I will see if I can get the battery load tested (the garage refuse to do it but I can see if an independent will do it so I can get evidence of the problem). not impressed with VW Van centres or the VW Customer Service (who have now switched off their phone line and direct you to online)

If your vehicle is less than 3 yrs old, as above, call VW Assistance. It is run by the AA but Insist on a VW Assistance Technician. Best to call in normal business hours. They can be very helpful and have priority access to VW Dealerships and can even replace a battery on site.

 

[Wezza]

There are a few threads on here that indicate how long the two batteries last on camping trips without hook up. Might be worth looking at those. Also, what I did was park it up and take the readings (% and V) from the control panel at a regular basis with nothing switched on.

Thanks Alison, I have done just that and have recorded it all. Just need someone at VW who will action the outcome. Thanks also for the suggestion to check the forum and will do that also (my batteries lasted about 12 hours with the fridge on Level 4 before they dropped to 50%, which seems very poor performance, especially when one is brand new)

 

[Wezza]

If your vehicle is less than 3 yrs old, as above, call VW Assistance. It is run by the AA but Insist on a VW Assistance Technician. Best to call in normal business hours. They can be very helpful and have priority access to VW Dealerships and can even replace a battery on site.

Thanks - that's two Forum users who have suggested this and seems to make good sense. I could really do with someone on my side so getting a VW Assistance Technician out would be great. I will call them in the morning.

 

[TripleBee]

Leisure batteries will need replacement by 2 if the "old" one isn't as good as the "new" one. That way the new one will loose it's charge in the old one, giving you only the old battery as reference.
And don't worry, if I let my fridge running for 12 hours on stage 4, my % will also drop quite heavily. The voltage reading on the display will be 12,2V, and that is with 11 year old batteries who have never been treated the way they should have been.

 

[Perfectos]

I had my starter battery replaced by city gate Woburn green,
Iinitially reported the slow cranking of the engine and low charge / not holding a charge, van went in, came back , no probs!
Issue persisted, reported at next visit, the van was put on VW test, no problem reported other than low voltage “ needs charging”! ( isn’t that what VW should have just done, charge it and see if it holds a charge? )
long story short I drive the van for 3 hours, took a reading on a volt meter , still below 12.4 volts !
Several cold days and the van would not start, finally leaving work one lunchtime the
Van was slow to crank over, called VW assist who sent out an AA van, AA man said the battery’s had it but he could not replace it as he had no way of claiming the cost of the battery back from VW.
I emailed the service manager : call city gate main call centre, asked the guys name and email, sent them an email stating that it had been looked at three times previously, etc VW assist call out etc. Added the Van would not charge the starter despite being on EHU once every month as specified by VW etc.
I then added I was going away on a trip ( which I was) and I was very concerned the battery would let me down whilst on holiday with all the associated stress and unnecessary hassle that would be avoidable?
Service manger agreed I had a genuine concern!
Van went in, (I asked for a battery to be ordered in anticipation of the result) dealer ran a full VW diagnosis (factory hook up) which checks all settings downloads any updates and and resets to factory build default settings
Very long story short battery replaced

Moral of the story, Persist, persist and make a general pain in the ar*e of yourself to get a result, escalating the claim as you go and as high as you can.
The final test confirmed the battery was shot !

Edit- it was the after sales manager I contacted, who is in charge of the service department

edit: earthing strap also replaced when battery replaced !

 

[AlisonF]

I had my starter battery replaced by city gate Woburn green,
Iinitially reported the slow cranking of the engine and low charge / not holding a charge, van went in, came back , no probs!
Issue persisted, reported at next visit, the van was put on VW test, no problem reported other than low voltage “ needs charging”! ( isn’t that what VW should have just done, charge it and see if it holds a charge? )
long story short I drive the van for 3 hours, took a reading on a volt meter , still below 12.4 volts !
Several cold days and the van would not start, finally leaving work one lunchtime the
Van was slow to crank over, called VW assist who sent out an AA van, AA man said the battery’s had it but he could not replace it as he had no way of claiming the cost of the battery back from VW.
I emailed the service manager : call city gate main call centre, asked the guys name and email, sent them an email stating that it had been looked at three times previously, etc VW assist call out etc. Added the Van would not charge the starter despite being on EHU once every month as specified by VW etc.
I then added I was going away on a trip ( which I was) and I was very concerned the battery would let me down whilst on holiday with all the associated stress and unnecessary hassle that would be avoidable?
Service manger agreed I had a genuine concern!
Van went in, (I asked for a battery to be ordered in anticipation of the result) dealer ran a full VW diagnosis (factory hook up) which checks all settings downloads any updates and and resets to factory build default settings
Very long story short battery replaced

Moral of the story, Persist, persist and make a general pain in the ar*e of yourself to get a result, escalating the claim as you go and as high as you can.
The final test confirmed the battery was shot !

Edit- it was the after sales manager I contacted, who is in charge of the service department

Can’t agree more

 

[Wezza]

Thanks for all the helpful posts. I’ve been quite down about the experience since buying the van and having so many supportive Messages has given me renewed resolve.

 

[mickmull]

We bought our 3 year old California From a motor home dealer. When we picked it up they showed us the battery tests and announced that they had replaced all the leisure batteries ‘as they often fully discharge left on a floorcourt’. Seems like the van centres mostly do vans and don’t understand the needs of the California. So stick to your guns - it’s not a case of driving it around for a bit as the batteries are now in unrecoverable.

 

[Legin]

Might be worth taking the battery out and stress testing it to give a more conclusive future test result.

 

[andyinluton]

Is it worth checking that the big fuse that connects the two batteries is ok. If it is not there or blown you will be running on just one battery & the other one will not actually be getting a charge.

 

[GSX1300R]

We had a problem with the Leisure batteries they were losing about 10% a day with everything off except the Centre panel. On the LAST day that our warranty ran out I took it to Sinclairs in Swansea and he confirmed it was the LAST day of the warranty. They tested the batteries and confirmed they were no good and replaced them both. No arguments. They also replaced the 2 rear struts on the rear door because when the guy was getting the batteries out the door came down on his head.. Oh dear...At least we got the work all done under warranty..