Hi All,

 

Help me out here - and apologies - I know this might have been answered in parts across other posts over the years - I'm drowning in work (NHS) and drowning in schoolwork and I'd really love it if someone that has already solved this can spell it out for me.

 

So, Octy 3 - Scout - 5 years old. Battery appears to be coming t the end of it's useful life and needs a trickle charge if I'm not using the car for any length of time,

 

I want to replace the battery - it has an AGM from new (I want to keep as AGM since I plan to keep the car 5+ years) and I'm happy to accept suggestions.

 

I can physically swap the battery myself, but I'm worried about a) Problems that may occur whilst there is no power at all to the car and b) Coding the new battery.

 

Can anyone suggest how best to go about it? Is coding really that necessary if you were to replace the battery with one as good or better? Indie battery places I have asked said they can't recode the battery for me. :(

 

I know that recoding is claimed to be necessary, lots of people say so, but is that all ultimately based on the same source that has a huge vested interest in keeping work funneled to it's dealer network?

 

I'm in Nottingham if that helps. Whilst I'm here, anyone local know a good independent locally. Dave at DSB Autocare in Nottingham, shutting up shop 5 years ago broke my heart.

 

Edited 28 September, 20205 yr by Jono

Take a look at the VCDS owners map, I'm sure a local member would be happy to code the new battery in for you

Just replaced my battery with a Bosch AGM battery, swapping is quite straight forward, when you first start restart the car there will be error lights on the screen but all you need to do is drive the car for around 5 mins and the car will reset and clear the errors.

 

You do need to update the battery settings via VCDS or similar so the car knows how to charge the battery correctly - too many computers these days - you need to change the battery type if you have changed the battery type  but do not if you change like for like.  You also have to change the battery serial number but this can be a single digit as this is all that is necessary to tell the car it has a new battery.

 

Note. on a Golf if you change to an AGM battery the correct Battery Type is Fleece, not Binary AGM which is apparently another different type of battery which is not available here.  So I would expect this to be the same in and Octy.

There is / was (and probably still there) a VAG specialist garage on Harrimans Lane at the back of Showcase off Clifton Blvd.

Not sure where in Notts you are though...........

 

They looked after me and my A4 but it was a number of years ago.

Edited 28 September, 20205 yr by Tilt

 

From a post elsewhere it looks like Halford's "tyresonthedrive" service re-code battery as part of replacement. 

 

Can anyone confirm if this is true or not?  their email enquiry line are slow to respond...

 

Halfords want £184, fitted, for what appears to be a Yuasa 096 AGM.

 

That compares with £300 for going to a local dealer and them fitting an OEM AGM (Likely Varta) and coding it.

 

I think I'd be happy with that IF they do the re-coding, else back to the drawing board.

I would ask Halfords directly if they do recode for the new battery and then ask to watch the techy when he comes to change it, use the info in post further up so you know what to look for. The tool he uses might allow the coding to 'AGM' so may not code to 'Fleece', just be sure he does not use 'Binary AGM'

34 minutes ago, octavia5 said:

I would ask Halfords directly if they do recode for the new battery and then ask to watch the techy when he comes to change it, use the info in post further up so you know what to look for. The tool he uses might allow the coding to 'AGM' so may not code to 'Fleece', just be sure he does not use 'Binary AGM'

 

Thanks!

 

The OEM in there is a Varta AGM, so will make sure they don't change the setting for the battery chemistry!

 

I called them to confirm they do do coding but I'll ask them again before I open the bonnet and ask to see what they need to change "just out of interest" etc.

 

If they don't ask me about moving the Bluetooth ODBC reader, that's a red-flag...

 

 

 

 

Okay - some references to assist; you can easily do this at home with somebody who has a VCDS system:

 

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Battery_Replacement

This shows the technical changes that need to be done on VCDS.

 

This shows how to do the change over on a Video.

 

Enjoy

 

Changed 8 months ago whith no coding an still working

On 28/09/2020 at 12:27, Jono said:

The OEM in there is a Varta AGM, so will make sure they don't change the setting for the battery chemistry!

 

Just be aware that I do not know of any Octy that was fitted OEM with a Varta AGM. They had cheap EFB batteries usually made by Moll.

 

There is a chance the battery has already been replaced (original EFB is unlikely to have lasted till now) It may not have been coded correctly in the first place

 

I am surprised a Varta AGM is causing issue

1 hour ago, flybynite said:

 

Just be aware that I do not know of any Octy that was fitted OEM with a Varta AGM. They had cheap EFB batteries usually made by Moll.

 

There is a chance the battery has already been replaced (original EFB is unlikely to have lasted till now) It may not have been coded correctly in the first place

 

I am surprised a Varta AGM is causing issue

 

 

It's owned from new and it's Varta AGM.

 

Perhaps Scout spec plus heated screen, mirrors and arse warmers etc. triggered AGM from the factory.

 

I don't hold a grudge for the Varta battery for dying after >5 years of abuse TBH.

 

 

10 minutes ago, Jono said:

t's owned from new and it's Varta AGM.

Perhaps Scout spec plus heated screen, mirrors and arse warmers etc. triggered AGM from the factory.

I don't hold a grudge for the Varta battery for dying after >5 years of abuse TBH.

 

 

I think you were lucky! My second one was 4x4 heated everything, electrical everything and still got the Moll EFB 

 

That barely made it 3 years so I guess your Varta did better but i have a couple of Varta silvers still going strong at 10 years on other machines. That is what is on the octy now.

What is the price difference between OEM and aftermarket? What if you want to install a normal battery if SS system is not used? I really didn't know that battery needs coding. 

16 hours ago, nkadovic said:

Changed 8 months ago whith no coding an still working

 

 

+1

 

I replaced my AGM with another AGM, never changed any VCDS settings and all was good.  Changed it on the driveway, simple job, a few dashlights when started and they went off after a few mins of driving.

 

I'd be surprised if Halfords did code it ...

Purchased new AGM (Exide) battery and will change it this weekend. I will also try to do battery adaptation using OBD eleven and will post here short summary of how everything goes.

The process is simple. Just make sure you update the amps to reflect what the battery is. Also make sure on OBDeleven the battery is coded as fleece. That is what it should be. Dont worry too much about altering the brand type and you can change the serial number by one digit. That is so the ecu knows it has a new battery fitted.

Just in case anyone knows what should be the brand name code for Exide battery?

13 hours ago, flybynite said:

 

Just be aware that I do not know of any Octy that was fitted OEM with a Varta AGM. They had cheap EFB batteries usually made by Moll.

 

There is a chance the battery has already been replaced (original EFB is unlikely to have lasted till now) It may not have been coded correctly in the first place

 

I am surprised a Varta AGM is causing issue

 

Mine came OEM with a Varta AGM, so I think the EFB / Alternative brands were a bean counter exercise.

10 minutes ago, Tivan said:

Just in case anyone knows what should be the brand name code for Exide battery?

Don't worry about the brand code as that doesnt matter. As long as the amps is correct plus the battery coded as fleece and the serial number changed. Then all will be good. The brand doesnt matter for coding.

Change went fine. Adaptation with obdeleven also went ok.

 

After change I did about 5 min drive and turned off car 3 times. Scanned with obd , got 9 errors and cleared them all.  No further errors.

only thing is that now start stop does not work. I can activate it via physical button but when i pull over startstop icon is crossed on maxidot. I do not think car is doing regen, rpm is 700 and engine sounds usual.

1 hour ago, Tivan said:

 

only thing is that now start stop does not work.

 

Bonus then....... Lol.

Not so much, it started working 

17 hours ago, Tivan said:

Not so much, it started working 

... once the battery management had learnt the SoC of the new battery 

On 01/10/2020 at 11:59, FrankLK said:

What is the price difference between OEM and aftermarket? What if you want to install a normal battery if SS system is not used? I really didn't know that battery needs coding. 

For reference, even if you switch off stop/start, it’s not a good idea to fit a normal flooded battery. The specific charging and operation profile for the type of battery technology installed remains active even if the engine never stops. It will work a basic battery very hard and wear it out quickly. It’s the primary reason for coding a new battery in. 

Anyone have info/experience regarding to replacement on octavia MK4? I know that for coding i need to get a SFD token with VCDS or buy an OBD11