Battery dead...

[Nastase]

Hi guys, for work / travel reasons I haven't been able to drive my car for quite a while, the battery was never replaced before (2007 - 19000 miles on the counter), and when I tried to start the car today, nothing happened, dead. I tried a good battery charger but it looks like it's gone for good. I've got two problems, when I use the Varta battery search it tells me that I'm suppose to mount the Silver Dynamic I1 on my car but in other suppliers I tried they recommend the Silver Dynamic H3 which has less capacity and shorter lenght. Which is the right one? Should I go for a Bosch instead?

The second problem is that since I'm out of electric supply the trunk or passenger doors won't open. You might call me novice, but I was wondering if there's some kind of release emergency lever to open them, otherwise switching batterys it's going to be rather annoying considering that my car has buckets...

Thanks in advance,

Regards.

[Lig]

Hi. Do a search on eBay. The important size is the length. From memory the correct size is about 400mm there are lots about that are 350mm. As for getting in you can use the key to get in the door then there is a manual lever to open the boot somewhere behind the number plate but look in the manual as it tells you in there. Cheers Lig.

[Nastase]

I got in the car already using the drivers door, but I couldn't find the lever in the trunk... I'll go through the manual again, I must have skipped that info. As for the Varta measurements the H3 is 353mm and the I1 393mm. Thanks Lid.

[adsgreen]

There's a key lock next to the handle on the boot but another option is to pop the bonnet and connect up the charger - should give enough power to enable the central locking mechanism.

[Nastase]

The charger won't do it adsgreen, I also tried using another car and cables, same frustrating result. I'll go for the key lock. Thanks a lot!

[ArthurPE]

here's the data/dimensions of mine
Varta 4FO 915 105E and RA530 379
12V/82Ah/520A DIN/850A EN or SAE
350 mm L x 175 W x 190 H (all approximate)

[Nastase]

Thanks Arthur.

[ArthurPE]

VARTA catalog
Manufacturer AUDI Model Line A4 (8EC) Vehicle RS4 quattro kW / PS 309 / 420 From 2005-09
Search result: These batteries can be inserted into your vehicle. By clicking on the respective article number, you will find further details on the battery.
Article Number Product Line Voltage [V] Battery Capacity [Ah] Cold Cranking Amps (CCA), EN [A]
595 901 085 B512 Start Stop Plus 12 95 850 G14
610 402 092 3162 SILVER dynamic 12 110 920 I1 (this is 393 mm L)

it says 2 different batteries were fitted (353 L or 393 L) depending on options...probably NAV and/or premium pkg had the larger one


mine is 350 and no NAV or sunroof

[Nastase]

Mine doesn't have a roof but It has an Alpine sat-nav, I'll go for the I1 just to be on the safe side. Thanks for the additional info mate.

[adsgreen]

The charger won't do it adsgreen, I also tried using another car and cables, same frustrating result. I'll go for the key lock. Thanks a lot!

Ok - most modern auto chargers have a safety feature that only supplies power to the clips if it detect the correct polarity and a minimum voltage. Appears that your battery is so dead that the auto charger can't detect enough current and it doesn't have enough 'ooomph' to charge it.

In that case you can get a jump start pack (which is basically a portable car battery) and try that. just leave it connected for about 30 mins with power to the clips and it should power the cars electrical system independently of the battery in the boot.

However surprised another car and cables didn't do it - after all not trying to jump start the car just get the doors open!

[MB2]

I bought the "short" battery from Halfords 2 years ago and it is still going strong so I wouldn't worry too much about that - I was initially but consoled myself it was their recommended fitment for the car & had a 5 year warranty so I made sure I kept the receipt safe & sound so if it fails will just claim undr warranty.

If you leave the car a lot there is a device called a "priorty start" which should shutdown the battery before it dies http://www.noflatbatteries.com/carscamp ... ulture.htm