Replacement battery - dealer job or not ?

[Theboyg]

Hi All,

Recently had multiple warning light come on at start-up (TPMS, parking brake, parking sensors etc.) and from another thread on here this seems to be typical symptoms of a failing battery.

Audi Portsmouth say they can't do anything for 3 weeks, but it's not clear to me if I can just take it to a local place (Kwik-fit etc.) to get them to fit a new battery, as having read the other thread there's differing opinion as to whether the car needs to be (re)programmed to the new battery or not ??

all thoughts / help welcomed (or suggestions of anywhere local to the south coast)

[Bendelaurence]

Hi mate. Nip to Halfords and get them to do a free battery test. This can happen from a very weak battery.

However I’m willing to bet the actual fault is actually a faulty wheel speed sensor.

When this happened to me a few years ago, I scanned for codes using OBDeleven. It didn’t show any faults with wheel speed sensors so I assumed they were fine and replaced the battery. It didn’t solve the problem.

Then I scanned it with a snap-on Solaris. The fault showed up on that unit. Near side rear sensor. Then the same thing again on the off side 2 years later.

Hope this helps. Basically get to to a local garage with a decent scanner. The part is £13. 15 mins to fit, unless it’s stuck, then 30 mins


(Also in answer to your question about coding, it does need to be re-coded to reset the charging system. I recoded mine myself, so I assume most high street places can probs do it, but check with them first I’d say)

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[CusterDome]

I think my battery is also on its last legs, I'm not getting any of the warnings you are though. I get a warning yellow battery symbol when I turn the ignition on and some text along the lines of "low battery, your battery will charge when you are driving". It then disappears until I've left the car for a few days, and then pops up again. There does seem to be conflicting info out there about battery replacement, there's a small outfit just down the road from me that specialises in Audi/VW, the best bet may be for me to drop in there and see what his diagnostics say.

[Theboyg]

Hi mate. Nip to Halfords and get them to do a free battery test. This can happen from a very weak battery.

Thanks for this Bendelaurence I did take it to a local place who did test it and said it needed replacing (may well have said that irrespective of the test!), so I think that's the probable cause.

Just need to find someone trustworthy to do the job locally.

[AndyBrad]

can you code it in with something like odbeleven / carly?

[vishmr2]

Coded the new battery for my mk7 golf in with obdeleven (piece of cake). I'd imagine the RS is exactly the same. 5 minute job and far better spending money on something like Obdeleven than a dealer/frauds to fit a battery!

[Bendelaurence]

Hi mate. Nip to Halfords and get them to do a free battery test. This can happen from a very weak battery.

Thanks for this Bendelaurence I did take it to a local place who did test it and said it needed replacing (may well have said that irrespective of the test!), so I think that's the probable cause.

Just need to find someone trustworthy to do the job locally.

No worries mate. Let us know how it goes


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[Theboyg]

Well that's annoying, I think the battery did need replacing, both from the test the the garage did, but also the reading on my CTEK charger, however after changing the battery I still have all the warning lights, but when the mechanic cleared all the error codes, he did see the following fault code "LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR Mechanical fault 00290", so it looks like I should have followed Bendelaurence's advice !!

Oh well need to get that sorted, and hope that fixes the problem.

[Theboyg]

Just as a follow up. I took the car to JKM in Portsmouth (who I was very impressed with), this is what they did:

Initial data log and diagnostic scan of system gave codes for left rear speed sensor electrical and mechanical faults, All codes cleared and driving up to 70mph all sensors are matching each other and vehicle speed. No codes have returned.
Visual inspection seem OK except for a part of loom by abs control module may be rubbing on metal bracket, have stripped, checked and re-taped to ensure no wires damaged.
On longer term (overnight) monitoring rear left wheel speed sensor intermittently records a speed when stationary. Advise replacement of sensor and to monitor. Replaced nearside rear ABS wheel speed sensor. Sensor was seized into hub. So had to remove brakes and drill out sensor. Clean up hub to refit. - Road Test and all OK

so it took them a while to workout it was an intermittent sensor problem, but all sorted now thankfully !

[Bendelaurence]

Tip for when the other side goes sometime this year

When it snaps, drill a 3mm whole in it, lightly screw a 4/5 mm screw into it, then use a claw hammer to pull it out.

Go spary if WD penetrator to start aswell.

Saves taking the brakes off. That how I did it anyway.

Glad you got it sorted. Happy driving!


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[kofsw4]

Anybody who has recoded the battery themselves, which version of OBDEleven do you need? Will the basic (£50) version do it or do I need to also purchase the Pro VAG subscription (£83?)