Hmmm. I got a 'switching off the radio in a bit to save the battery' warning the other day. But I think that was because I was sat in the car listening to it for about an hour and had forgotten to turn the lights off (doh!). Haven't seen it since though.

But before I start to suspect a dodgy battery, how can I check that it's not a case of the battery not being charged properly? I guess I'd need to check what voltage is arriving at the battery while the car is running? Would a multimeter do the job?

Is the colour spot on the battery top reliable?

Something like RED = dead?

ORANGE = 1/2 charged?

BLACK = fully charged?

I guess I'd better find out where the bonnet release is... :wonder:

Hmmm. I got a 'switching off the radio in a bit to save the battery' warning the other day. But I think that was because I was sat in the car listening to it for about an hour and had forgotten to turn the lights off (doh!). Haven't seen it since though.

But before I start to suspect a dodgy battery, how can I check that it's not a case of the battery not being charged properly? I guess I'd need to check what voltage is arriving at the battery while the car is running? Would a multimeter do the job?

Could attach one of these to the battery terminals: http://www.amazon.co...f=pd_sim_auto_5

Just make sure you get the right eyelet size.

Or this one to plug into 12V socket: http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/ctek-56870.php

Edited 15 March, 201313 yr by JakeBlade

When you find where your bonnet release catch is "Goat",could you let me know where it is?Rumour has it there are recepticals for oil and washer fluid in there somewhere.I didn't spend all this money on a car just to spend time filling up with oil and water,it's bad enough putting in diesel.

The CTek charger that JakeBlade posted says on the web page: "In order to use this lead, the cigarette lighter needs to be live with the ignition turned off."

Is this OK with the Superb as I think it would need the key in and turned to the Accessory position?

Ray

Edited 15 March, 201313 yr by Argee

Sorry - I should have checked before posting the 12v socket one. I will check if any of the sockets remain live later tonight, unless anyone posts back the result in the meantime...

I know the passat b6 shuts off after 10 mins, as I ended up charging that with crocs, but I have a feeling the SS2 might be permanantly live. Watch this space...

Mine is live with the ignition off.

Just finished checking and mine are permanently live.

So the CTEK indicator cable could be used to charge the battery through one of the 12v sockets. Nice touch that.

Thanks folks.

And for anyone that's unsure, the bonnet release is in the front passenger foot-well, on the left-hand wall. A bit silly but there you go.

Thanks to JakeBlade's speedy reply, I bought a CTEK MXS 7.0 7A 12V Multi-Functional 8-Stage Car Battery Charger and the CTE-56263 CTEK Cigarette Lighter Connector Adaptor from Amazon. They arrived today and I've fitted the eyelet adaptors to the battery as well (belt and braces approach, can't get out of the habit). If anyone else is going to do this, a point or two may help:

I chose to fit the eyelets to the square end of the bolt, rather than risk graunching them with the nut when tightening. This meant battery terminal removal, because the bolts won't come out any other way. After re-connection, I had all sorts of faults appear, so I got out the VCDS and cleared them. I still had faults in three controllers, 09-Cent. Elect., 44-Steering Assist and 77-Telephone. However, a short drive up the road (<100 yards) and all warning lights cleared. A re-scan showed no faults at all. All I had to do then was re-set the clock and the Traffic Announcement Volume level.

The charger works like a charm, BTW!

Ray

Edited 19 March, 201313 yr by Argee

Good man! Glad to see you went big with the charger.

If you disconnect the battery, when you next start the engine the dash will light up light a Christmas tree. Driving 100yds down the road will clear all of the warning lights, and lowering and winding the windows up will bring back the one-touch comfort closing if you have lost that. Lock to lock on the steering sometimes might be required to re-calibrate.