GTD Wouldn't Start

[Klink1313]

I had my battery go flat on me after 4 weeks of owning my car. I do long distances everyday. I charged it overnight and all has been well for the last 8 months.

I noticed that if i did not close my hatch properly (or the doors or bonnet) the mdf display stays lit up (does not go to sleep) and shows the hatch/door/bonnet that is open. I suspect that this was the cause of my battery drain

Problem with the hatch is that is not obvious that it has not closed properly (more obvious for a door). i suspect that this was the cause of my battery issue ... ie ..... user error.

[AdamD]

I noticed that if i did not close my hatch properly (or the doors or bonnet) the mdf display stays lit up (does not go to sleep) and shows the hatch/door/bonnet that is open. I suspect that this was the cause of my battery drain

I've checked this in my car; from memory the display will turn off - after about 20 minutes or so. (I occasionally leave the bonnet open for the hot air to dissipate after a drive on a hot day.)

Problem with the hatch is that is not obvious that it has not closed properly (more obvious for a door). i suspect that this was the cause of my battery issue ... ie ..... user error.

I turned on the door lock/unlock chirp with VCDS for this very reason. Now if it doesn't chirp when I lock the car, I know something's not quite shut. (And that something can often be the tailgate - if you've opened it to take something out after getting out of the car, it's not like you'll see the indication in the MFD.)

[Brycem]

Mine was flat on Saturday morning. The car in question is a June 2011 GTI. RACQ guy knew the problem straight away. Short journeys each day and not locking the car when in my garage at night. According to him the cars electronics do not go to sleep unless you lock the vehicle and over time will slowly drain the battery. This coupled with 10km round trip each day was enough to cause the battery to get to a low enough level not to be able to start the car. I bought a charger and charged it fully and will do so every six months from now on.

[Transporter]

Mine was flat on Saturday morning. The car in question is a June 2011 GTI. RACQ guy knew the problem straight away. Short journeys each day and not locking the car when in my garage at night. According to him the cars electronics do not go to sleep unless you lock the vehicle and over time will slowly drain the battery. This coupled with 10km round trip each day was enough to cause the battery to get to a low enough level not to be able to start the car. I bought a charger and charged it fully and will do so every six months from now on.

That's right. The drain from the battery until the modules go to sleep is around 300mA compared to 20mA or less, when you lock the car with all doors properly shut.

[Rob_R]

Never knew this fact about locked versus unlocked power drain. Although I always lock my car in the garage overnight it is good to know about this. Never stop learning I guess.

[slipshot]

I turned on the door lock/unlock chirp with VCDS for this very reason. Now if it doesn't chirp when I lock the car, I know something's not quite shut. (And that something can often be the tailgate - if you've opened it to take something out after getting out of the car, it's not like you'll see the indication in the MFD.)

As well as it is easy to reach into a pocket and press a button to lock or unlock and inadvertently push the middle one to unlock the boot - which it does but there's no obvious sign the boot is unlocked and open

[justin]

Just got the battery tested at Battery World.
Printout they gave me shows:

Volts: 12.58V
Measured: 635 CCA
Rating: 600 CCA

They said that it should be up around 13.5 Volts... and not 12.58 after only 7 months, and that I should go see VW.

[tonymy01]

That is a total crock. The charged voltage of a car battery is 2.1V per cell, with 6cells=12.6V. Your car battery provides plenty of cranking amps, it is no where near end of life. The only time it would read 13.5-14V is when the engine is running, and they definitely wouldn't want to be load testing it like that (blown alternator probably).

[Transporter]

Just got the battery tested at Battery World.
Printout they gave me shows:

Volts: 12.58V
Measured: 635 CCA
Rating: 300 CCA

They said that it should be up around 13.5 Volts... and not 12.58 after only 7 months, and that I should go see VW.

It's more likely 300CCA Measured and the Rating is 635CCA, which would be most likely flat battery or the battery that needs replacing.

[justin]

Oh whoop! I meant 600, and not 300 sorry. Have corrected my post.

---------- Post added at 03:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:45 PM ----------

Booked it in to get a new battery (which they have told me should be under warranty) next Tuesday.