My GrandCali is now back with VW, 7 days after buying it!

[NorfolkJohn01]

My new to me Grand Cali 680 stayed with me just 7 days before being returned to VW for treatment! The main battery (not the leisure battery) keeps draining and I find myself unable to even get into the van. This is not the start that i was looking for in my very expensive purchase. Does anyone know if this battery draining issue is common and, if so, what are the common causes? - VW seem to be short on ideas!

 

[Eber123]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your issues with the GC 680.

I can well imagine how you feel, believe me we had a lot of problems with our camper (GC 600) too. I aired my frustration in many posts here in the forum.

But keep hanging in there. The key is a VW dealer which is willing (and able) to work with you to get through those issues (I don't want to scare you, but there might be more issues lurking...).

But there are a few advantages in believing in the camper:

• If finally everything is working, it is a very nice vehicle and camper
• If all issues are sorted it is the best Grand California anyone can get
• Other vehicles / campers have issues as well
• Changing to a different camper will take a while (lead times)

Best of luck and I hope that the VW dealer will get the camper repaired as soon as possible.

Happy repaired Grand California,
Eberhard

 

[andyinluton]

Not heard of it before on the main battery.
It may have been wrecked though by being left totally drained prior to delivery.

Did you use VW assist? If so did they not test the battery?

Good luck & let us know how you get on.

 

[NorfolkJohn01]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your issues with the GC 680.

I can well imagine how you feel, believe me we had a lot of problems with our camper (GC 600) too. I aired my frustration in many posts here in the forum.

But keep hanging in there. The key is a VW dealer which is willing (and able) to work with you to get through those issues (I don't want to scare you, but there might be more issues lurking...).

But there are a few advantages in believing in the camper:

• If finally everything is working, it is a very nice vehicle and camper
• If all issues are sorted it is the best Grand California anyone can get
• Other vehicles / campers have issues as well
• Changing to a different camper will take a while (lead times)

Best of luck and I hope that the VW dealer will get the camper repaired as soon as possible.

Happy repaired Grand California,
Eberhard

Hi Eberhard, very nice to get such a supportive message, thank you

 

[NorfolkJohn01]

Not heard of it before on the main battery.
It may have been wrecked though by being left totally drained prior to delivery.

Did you use VW assist? If so did they not test the battery?

Good luck & let us know how you get on.

Hi Andyiniuton,

yes VW assist have had a look twice now and cant work out where the drain is coming from. Thanks for your supportive message

 

[Keith Smith]

Does it have a tracker? I’ve had one mysteriously drain the battery.

 

[NorfolkJohn01]

Does it have a tracker? I’ve had one mysteriously drain the battery.

Hi Keith, yes it does have a tracker, thats a helpful thought, thank you

 

[Brightonbelle]

Is this a possible case for rejecting the vehicle? I’d be considering this as it seems to me that it’s a major fault. I’d definitely look at this as a possible route. I hope you sort things out to your satisfaction.

 

[kurienp]

Is this a possible case for rejecting the vehicle? I’d be considering this as it seems to me that it’s a major fault. I’d definitely look at this as a possible route. I hope you sort things out to your satisfaction.

@Brightonbelle , a knee jerk reaction to such a problem does not lead anywhere and will just mess up things further. Battery drain on a new vehicle with a tracker - a good dealer should be able to troubleshoot and soon John will have a perfectly working vehicle that he can enjoy!

This will be classified as a minor problem in the larger scheme of things. Wait till you read on the issues Eberhard had with his GC, and his logical and patient approach led to a great vehicle that he now enjoys.

As Eberhard says, teething problems, and once sorted, the vehicles are great to drive and enjoy!

 

[Brightonbelle]

Okay kurienp, clearly you know best. I was merely bearing in mind the legal timescales for rejecting a vehicle.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Was the tracker fitted by VW? If not, best get the installer to visit the dealership to check their handywork.

 

[Meoncoast]

I believe there was a batch of T6 vans a few years that had faulty starter batteries. These were replaced problem sorted.

 

[Multi1100]

My new to me Grand Cali 680 stayed with me just 7 days before being returned to VW for treatment! The main battery (not the leisure battery) keeps draining and I find myself unable to even get into the van. This is not the start that i was looking for in my very expensive purchase. Does anyone know if this battery draining issue is common and, if so, what are the common causes? - VW seem to be short on ideas!

probably just a bad batterie, it sometimes happens that a brand new battery drains from start. I had it once with a BMW motorcycle, bought it Saturday, could not start next Monday.
Unlucky for your start with the GC, but a thing like that can happen (even with a check after build)

 

[Tom Downie]

Not heard of it before on the main battery.
It may have been wrecked though by being left totally drained prior to delivery.

Did you use VW assist? If so did they not test the battery?

Good luck & let us know how you get on.

It has happened to me once in my GC600 but appears to be an isolated incident.

 

[gatvol]

VW reliability a joke these days, nothing like the days when it built its brand in the 70s and 80s.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Always give the dealer time to fix the problem. A flat battery is not the end of the world and will be diagnosed very quickly.
Never even think about going down the legal route unless the problem cannot be fixed and they tell you it can’t be fixed.

 

[AndyGreybeard]

I may be wrong…. But;
The OP @NorfolkJohn01 mentioned ‘new to me’, not brand new?
It may be useful, John, to know something of the age and history of you van, if you could find out.
It may help reduce the ‘off topic’ replies.,
Regards
Andy