Previous owner changed the battery, it has this Varta fitted, 74ah.

https://www.batterymegastore.co.uk/varta-e38.html

 

Checked with the Foxwell scan tool we're borrowing and the battery coded to the car was made by JCB and was 68ah. Was this the original? It seems under-powered considering all the gizmos on the car - no wonder it failed shortly after the car's warranty ran out.

 

We can code the new battery so the regulator charges it properly, but we need the serial number. Thing is, it's already fitted so I'll have to disconnect it to lift it out and read that information. Anything I need to know before disconnecting the battery? It obviously won't be disconnected very long but I know some cars don't like it.

 

 

Edited 19 January, 20188 yr by snowathlete

I've managed to get at three sides and can't see a code. I don't imagine it's on the fourth side which is an end side. Maybe it doesn't have a ten digit serial number...

I decided the serial number doesn't actually matter, the original one was 1111111111 so I just went ahead and told the car it has a new battery with the same serial number but updated the manufacturer and Ah rating. Seemed pretty painless.

vcds will display the serial number of the fitted battery.

The new serial number is usually on the top but either etched or printed but not in an obvious size, font or colour.

4 hours ago, superbdreams said:

vcds will display the serial number of the fitted battery.

The new serial number is usually on the top but either etched or printed but not in an obvious size, font or colour.

 

Does the serial number actually do anything though in the system, or is it just stated for the sake of it? I'm starting to doubt it has any actual effect on how the battery is treated by the regulator.

 

I've read that a lot of standard batteries don't have the 10 digit serial number if they are designed for these systems. There is certainly not such a serial number on my battery unless it's on the one side i can't check easily. Other Varta batteries which are designed for these systems do have the code on the top as you suggest, so it does seem mine doesn't have such a code.

Just change the id by 1 
This is even advised by rosstech I am sure

I am sure that the ECU just wants to know what amp the battery is so it can set the correct charging for it..

Does yours have stop/start?

 

Edited 20 January, 20188 yr by DEL80Y

7 minutes ago, DEL80Y said:

Just change the id by 1 
This is even advised by rosstech I am sure

I am sure that the ECU just wants to know what amp the battery is so it can set the correct charging for it..

Does yours have stop/start?

 

 

yes it has start stop so it's the wrong kind of battery fitted. I've not decided what I'm doing about that yet. At the moment we just turn S/S off every time we get in the car.

I would get the correct battery for the car with stop/start then sell the battery in your car on gumtree for just less than you would pay for it new.

 

20 hours ago, DEL80Y said:

I would get the correct battery for the car with stop/start then sell the battery in your car on gumtree for just less than you would pay for it new.

 

 

That's one option for sure.

We may keep the existing battery and put it in the boot where some seem to have their batteries, charge it with a solar panel on the parcel shelf, to power a rear dash cam. We're just working out whether we can make that work or not.

And the third option is wait till the current battery dies, then replace with the right battery.