Battery Message & Cold Weather

[theblacksurge]

Hi, It was -6c the other night and despite my car being garaged overnight, when I started it in the morning I got the following message on the DIS - "BATTERY LOW CHARGE - WILL CHARGE WHEN DRIVING".

I wasn't too concerned at first. Then I did a 40mile motorway journey, switched off and re-started but the message came up again, and I now get it every single time I start the car.

Has anbody else had this ? does it sound like a duff battery and if so is it under warranty ? I've only had the car 6 weeks and it supposedly had the full 130ish point check.

[paultheo]

One for the dealer to sort out may be a duff battery.

[Bratty]

How old is the Battery/car (is it a Diesel or Petrol!) What sort of journeys do you make ie. only short?

Dunk

[simfin]

I would look at putting on a "trickle" charger overnight and see what happens. Depending on your car age/dealer they may just want to pop a new battery in and possibly charge you for the pleasure.

[gazza57]

The main thing here is to decide if it is the battery itself failing to hold charge or the alternator failing to provide sufficient charge either due to a fault in the alternator or lots of short journeys using lights wipers, heated screens, foglights which can push the overall level of charge downward.
Low temperatures in battery electrolyte increase it's internal resistance thus limiting the current the battery can deliver at start.
Once you've turned the engine over, wait a couple of minutes before trying again, this will heat the electrolyte and lower the internal resistance of the battery making it easier to supply more current at the next start.

An overnight trickle charge would'nt hurt, failing that a load test on the battery and alternator is what I would ask the dealer to do BEFORE just billing you for a new battery.

Gazza57

[Red 2]

My 2.5 yr old 35,000 mile car has started giving 'Battery Weak - System will be turned off to conserve power (or something like that!) warnings on the central display after the ignition is turned off but the radio kept on. Battery shouldn't be going yet as my helpful dealer also confirmed.

No other obvious signs of any problems as all the electrics are working, lights not dimming, starting with no difficulty despite living outside 24/7 but the dealer did a quick check when it went in last week for a service.

The result is that it is booked in for 2 days for an overnight drain test & hopefully a fix. Something is not right whether it is the warning system or the car's electrics but hopefully will be corrected soon.

IMHO,in this weather, far better to get any warnings checked over asap than be sitting trying to get Audi Assistance out.

[MFGF]

Well guys, I'm convinced that Audis simply don't like the cold and thats that
Please see below just a few of the recent posts ALL relating in some way to failed start attempts / poor cold start issues AND or battery related posts


https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=111327

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=111382

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=111361

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=111339

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=98973

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=111335

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=108417

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=104371
In all honesty I feel I am qualified to say that Audis are totally crap in cold weather as regards starts / battery issues etc speaking from personal experience as well as the MANY MANY posts on the subject - we can't ALL be wrong!!
Before anyone decides they wanna challenge me on this, let me just say that I love my A6 other than this, but have had sooo many problems in the 4 years as my posts will document!

I'm always hesitant to post up messages that contradict others' views, especially when those views are posted by outstanding forum members like Jim. I do feel it's fair to redress the balance a little by posting up my personal experiences here though. I am driving my fourth consecutive Audi in eleven years, and over the whole of that time, none of the four cars have had battery problems or issues with starting on freezing mornings. All of them have lived outside on the drive through fair and foul weather, and just recently my current car has started first time every time on extreme cold mornings.

Jim, I'm really sorry you're having such frustrating problems - I know I'd be tearing my hair out if I was in your situation. Looks like a fair few others have been suffering with similar problems too. It's certainly true that these weather conditions will highlight and exacerbate even the smallest weakness in any car's health. I'm willing to bet there are similar high numbers of folks reporting these kinds of issues in non-Audi cars too.

Keep smiling, and here's hoping your dealer pinpoints and fixes the problem!

Cheers!

MF.



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[JimC64]

I'm always hesitant to post up messages that contradict others' views, especially when those views are posted by outstanding forum members like Jim. I do feel it's fair to redress the balance a little by posting up my personal experiences here though. I am driving my fourth consecutive Audi in eleven years, and over the whole of that time, none of the four cars have had battery problems or issues with starting on freezing mornings. All of them have lived outside on the drive through fair and foul weather, and just recently my current car has started first time every time on extreme cold mornings.

Jim, I'm really sorry you're having such frustrating problems - I know I'd be tearing my hair out if I was in your situation. Looks like a fair few others have been suffering with similar problems too. It's certainly true that these weather conditions will highlight and exacerbate even the smallest weakness in any car's health. I'm willing to bet there are similar high numbers of folks reporting these kinds of issues in non-Audi cars too.

Keep smiling, and here's hoping your dealer pinpoints and fixes the problem!

Cheers!

MF.

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It may sound a little like mutual back slapping, but I genuinely mean it when I say I'm astounded to be complimented by some of the members of this forum. Most of the members in question having a much higher post count, longer serving and with more to offer certainly makes me feel honoured

I feel I've joined a forum with kindred spirits and made some good "friends" here. I really do enjoy this site and feel quite at home here and believe Its one of the best of its kind around with great members, good technical info, top notch techs and a good mod / admin team too.....All good!!

I must apologise, I guess for my little rant, having lost the plot momentarily due to the problems with my car, which I do really love. I do think she's a thing of beauty and a joy to drive, but have had way more than my fair share of issues with her these past 4 years, certainly in the cold start dept

Of course I do know that there will be great examples out there too, but in a moment of weakness its easy to seize onto several recent examples and promote them.........especially when your car's in the dealership with related issues...AGAIN!

Thanks fore the kind thoughts and kind words MF and also for "redressing the balance"

On the car issues - no word from the dealer today so presumably they're giving her a thorough going over to try and get to the bottom of the problem. Still have the A3 and unless something happens soon it could be in over Christmas

Fingers crossed she's back home soon!

[Red 2]

So after two days with my local dealer, car comes back with battery charged and "numerous software updates" inc something to do with battery management. Updates must be quite recent seen as car was serviced last month.

And praise be to Warrington Audi for managing to wash and valet our car whilst temperatures were well below freezing. Just got to keep it clean now!

[a8 tech]

So after two days with my local dealer, car comes back with battery charged and "numerous software updates" inc something to do with battery management. Updates must be quite recent seen as car was serviced last month.

And praise be to Warrington Audi for managing to wash and valet our car whilst temperatures were well below freezing. Just got to keep it clean now!

And the ami still works