New battery, is coding required?

[gregpot2000]

I'm starting a new thread as I can't find a definitive answer to the question on other threads, does anyone know for certain?
Audi want 440 to change the battery (haha). So I am going to look at other means, maybe fitting myself. Is the coding really required? There is conflicting information, some people saying yes, and other information stating the car eventually learns a new battery has been fitted.

Can anyone confirm the car will eventually learn the new battery? I know the official line is coding is needed, but is It really?

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[Guest 2]

From reading various bits the coding only needs to be changed if the amps or other measurement changes from the previous fitted.

You can code it via vcds if you really want but I'm sure theres hundreds/thousands of Audis around the world without coded batteries running without issues.

[gregpot2000]

Thanks for the update. Could anyone provide step by step instructions for the coding, and menu options needed to be selected?
Still can't believe they wanted 440! Guessing the battery is about 100, so they are saying it's 3+ hours labour?!

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[Guest 2]

Its pretty easy, just go into VCDS, Battery Regulation (on my A6), Coding, select manufacturer and punch in the serial number of the battery.

[Dieseldoos]

Might be worth just buying the battery from audi (without them fitting and coding it), as the battery on its own is about the same price as aftermarket brands.

I only mention that as some aftermarket brands cannot be coded. (Should you need to).

I also know that as long as you have not started getting low battery warnings, and various background things shutting down, you can just do a straight swap and it will "learn", most problems are when some systems are shut down to save power and you then change the battery as the car is not aware, so they stay shutdown in powersave mode.

Hope that makes sense.

[gregpot2000]

Thanks. I may ask my indy to source directly from Audi if I go down that route. Unfortunately I have started getting low battery warnings and the fog lights occasionally not coming on when unlocking. These symptoms are getting worse and worse, which has prompted me to finally do something about it. Worth noting though it drives fine, no issues starting at all, or dimming of the lights

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[zollaf]

you say audi want 44o to change the battery. what 440 is this ? rupee's maybe , or 440 pushups ? just wondering

[gregpot2000]

Lol my finest English pounds. I really can't see where they can get that figure from. I asked him to check and he agreed it seemed steep, but said that's what it is

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[Doctle Odd]

I'd love to see the breakdown on that bill

[zollaf]

i have broken down at that bill doctle.

[JimC64]

Might be worth just buying the battery from audi (without them fitting and coding it), as the battery on its own is about the same price as aftermarket brands.

I only mention that as some aftermarket brands cannot be coded. (Should you need to).

I also know that as long as you have not started getting low battery warnings, and various background things shutting down, you can just do a straight swap and it will "learn", most problems are when some systems are shut down to save power and you then change the battery as the car is not aware, so they stay shutdown in powersave mode.

Hope that makes sense.

From the many posts I've read I believe in your situation as per Dieseldoos that coding may be required............I'm currently in the same situation myself with low battery warnings and the interior not lit on opening the door.

As stated £150 supplied, fitted and coded from my Indy and £292 from Audi

[sportq]

See the other similar thread. I changed miney last week and didn't code it. After a few cold starts the battery has read 100% ever since. I bought a genuine one from Audi (OEM is Varta, old one was Moll). The 'follow-me-home' lights were disabled on mine when the battery was low, they're activated again.

Peter

[Lukenkarl]

Thanks for the update. Could anyone provide step by step instructions for the coding, and menu options needed to be selected?
Still can't believe they wanted 440! Guessing the battery is about 100, so they are saying it's 3+ hours labour?!

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2 I am not far from you. Give me a shout if you need it coding. I have VCDS if you bring the instructions I'll do it for a pint.

[gregpot2000]

Thanks a lot for the offer. I have given my instructions to the indy. He says he has done loads of Audis without coding and never had a problem. So we'll see.


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[danny851]

hi

i need to change me battery in my audi a4 b8 any idea's where i can get OEM battery from? and which one i should get?
and how much the battery will be?

thanks
danny

[Guest 2]

Welcome to VWAF

Whats wrong with your current battery?

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?129466-Anyone-fitted-a-new-battery-in-a-A4-B8-late-2008-conflicting-info&highlight=battery

[gregpot2000]

Hi there. I rang the dealer parts department recently. And a new oem one is £159 for just the battery

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[Doctle Odd]

And how much without the gold plating?

[danny851]

Welcome to VWAF

Whats wrong with your current battery?

Anyone fitted a new battery in a A4-B8 late 2008 ? - conflicting info (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?129466-Anyone-fitted-a-new-battery-in-a-A4-B8-late-2008-conflicting-info&highlight=battery)

thank for the quick reply chis,
well on the MMI the battery levels is only showing as 20% and the car sounds like it is struggling to start in the morning. do you think i need a new battery please see the attached pic take a few week
back. i will post a current one 2mrw, its to cold to do it now:D.

23039

[Guest 2]

Looks like its pretty low, how old is the car?

Just look at your current battery and get one which has the same amps etc and you'll be fine. Varta batteries are good.

[danny851]

Hi there. I rang the dealer parts department recently. And a new oem one is £159 for just the battery

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there a lot of £££, have you changed your battery yet? if so which one did you go for?

[danny851]

Looks like its pretty low, how old is the car?

Just look at your current battery and get one which has the same amps etc and you'll be fine. Varta batteries are good.

yh will have to change it soon, 5 year old car 08 plate (so is due a change), any ideas where to get the battery from? looked on eurocarpart and my battery spec is 12v 450A 95Ah DIN 760CCA and the ones on eurocarparts are either 70-72ah or 100ah so dont know where else to look. or shall i just buy one for the dealers

23040

[gregpot2000]

It was £440 to fit. £159 for the battery alone as a part. I've not done anything with mine yet. Still waiting on my indy to ring me. Although funnily enough had almost no problems in the past week.
I've enabled the battery meter as well with vcds, when I first did it last week it was on around 10%, for the past few days though it's been hovering between 80% and 100%. I know the levels not totally accurate but it's a good indication all the same.
Ill still probably get it changed when they ring. But it doesn't have the same urgency as before

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[Guest 2]

Buy the battery from Audi fit it yourself and code yourself with your vcds ;)

[danny851]

thanks garegpot2000 and chis,

say i get the battery from audi when changing the battery do i need back Up power supply if so how do i do that?

thanks
danny

[gregpot2000]

To be honest not exactly sure why I'm waiting now. Apparently they are still waiting on it arriving (it's only a battery?!). I have used him in the past without issues though and don't want to burn bridges cancelling

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[Guest 2]

thanks garegpot2000 and chis,

say i get the battery from audi when changing the battery do i need back Up power supply if so how do i do that?

thanks
danny

Nope, you'll not lose anything with the battery disconnected. Well maybe the clock if you're being picky.


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[danny851]

Nope, you'll not lose anything with the battery disconnected. Well maybe the clock if you're being picky.


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so like the radio code or anything like that will not be lost, do you think it is a good idea to just have a jump-starter battery pack connected to the car when i change the battery, as long as i make sure the postive terminal of battery doesn't touch the car or is this a bad idea. only asking cause other people are saying you should have a back up power supply and others are saying not to have one, im getting confused :-(

thanks

[gregpot2000]

No radio code to input. The radio is linked to the car through component protection. Only the dealer can remove this link and link to another car. So that type of security is used instead of a code

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[Doctle Odd]

Halfords, National tyre, GSF Motor factors all sell batteries

[sportq]

I did this two weeks ago on my 2009 A4 143bhp TDi. No battery re-coding was required, I don't think it's even possible as the was no controller at the address the instructions online point to. I did use a battery charger to maintain power to the car throughout though I don't think it was required (be VERY carefull with the +ve lead if you do this!)

My battery had been as low as 30% before I changed it and started to disable some features (follow-me-home lights for example). Since the battery was changed it's never been less than 100%.

BTW, the one Euro Car Parts listed for my car (and I actually bought then returned) was not the correct capacity. The original Audi one was 95Ah (don't quote me, from memory) the one they list for the car was only 72Ah. I didn't realised this until I'd removed the boot floor, spare wheel and battery cover :aargh4:

Peter

[gregpot2000]

Recoding can be done, its on can gateway, and then adaptations "4" I think from memory. I've seen the screen myself. It does say in the manual it's required, but whether it actually is I'm not sure

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[danny851]

I did this two weeks ago on my 2009 A4 143bhp TDi. No battery re-coding was required, I don't think it's even possible as the was no controller at the address the instructions online point to. I did use a battery charger to maintain power to the car throughout though I don't think it was required (be VERY carefull with the +ve lead if you do this!)

My battery had been as low as 30% before I changed it and started to disable some features (follow-me-home lights for example). Since the battery was changed it's never been less than 100%.

BTW, the one Euro Car Parts listed for my car (and I actually bought then returned) was not the correct capacity. The original Audi one was 95Ah (don't quote me, from memory) the one they list for the car was only 72Ah. I didn't realised this until I'd removed the boot floor, spare wheel and battery cover :aargh4:

Peter

thanks for the post peter, so did you replace it with a genuine audi battery or aftermarket

[danny851]

give audi a call today they say they will supply and fitted the battery for £160 including VAT, my battery spec is 12v 450A 95Ah DIN 760A en/sae

£160 good or bad

[gregpot2000]

Supply and fit? At a main dealers? Are you sure?

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[danny851]

Supply and fit? At a main dealers? Are you sure?

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yh audi nottingham i have email to confirm the price(£160) supplied and fitted including VAT.

[gregpot2000]

Hmm you sure they haven't made a mistake lol. I got quoted over 400!

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[sportq]

thanks for the post peter, so did you replace it with a genuine audi battery or aftermarket

I got a geniune one from Audi. Probably could have saved a few quid by getting one online of the correct size and capacity but the car would have been off the road while I was waiting for it to be delivered.

Peter

[sportq]

Hmm you sure they haven't made a mistake lol. I got quoted over 400!


£160 is probably the correct price as they don't need recoding and only take 10 minutes to install.

Peter

[gregpot2000]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/02/duty6eha.jpg

Like I say, the official line is that it DOES need recoding. Whether it does or not is a different matter. But as that is the official line I can't see a main dealer not doing it.
The reason you couldn't find it vcds is that I suspect you were looking at instructions for slightly older Audis. there is a different way of accessing it for the b8

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[sportq]

Agreed but if an Audi dealer is quoting £160 to fit then they're clearly not doing anything but physically replacing it. If they have to plug the VAG tool in for any reason they'll be charging at least 30 minutes labour @ £110/h, the less reasonable ones will charge the full hour.

I got the infromation from Ross-Techs website. I've just gone an looked at it again it's been updated sometime in the last 2 weeks. It's now got a note about the B8 platform being accessible through something called an "Installation list". Fortunately I took a photo of the QR code on the new battery so I'll try it again at the weekend (though like I said, the new battery is at 100% all the time now).

Peter

[gregpot2000]

Yeah, I did read somewhere that it does learn anyway after a while without coding. I've looked at it on vcds though and don't think the coding is difficult to do yourself. You just open it up, key in the new number and click save, so if you have the software easy to do yourself.
Danny, I wonder if you could take some kind of screen print of your email (hide your personal details if necessary) that way people getting fobbed off by dealers with obscene prices could present a print of yours.

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[danny851]

Yeah, I did read somewhere that it does learn anyway after a while without coding. I've looked at it on vcds though and don't think the coding is difficult to do yourself. You just open it up, key in the new number and click save, so if you have the software easy to do yourself.
Danny, I wonder if you could take some kind of screen print of your email (hide your personal details if necessary) that way people getting fobbed off by dealers with obscene prices could present a print of yours.

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my car is booked in on the 13/12/13, i will scan in the invoice that the dealership will provide me with, so other people can present that to there dealership, it will be better then a email printscreen.

[danny851]

as requested gregpot2000 i have attached a copy of the invoice for the replacement battery for my audi a4 b8. hope it helps someone.

thanks23171

[gregpot2000]

Thanks. My indy finally rung me for my battery! Got it changed last week, he couldn't work out the coding though :confused: so charged me £15 less, I them just came home myself and did it in 5mins with vcds!

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[danny851]

gregpot2000 i was just wondering if you could post a picture of the vcds screen showning your new battery status (19-CAN gateway > Measuring Blocks > Groups 18,19,20) , i want to compare it with my new battery status, post the picture when ever you get time.

happy christmas.

thanks danny

[gregpot2000]

Hi there. Sorry for the delay. I took a photo of the screen as the laptop I use is old and doesn't have wireless....http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/03/2udu3ahy.jpg

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[danny851]

thanks for the screen shot was on hoilday just go back a few days ago.

thanks once again