Hi All,

I've recently purchased a 69 plate Fabia 3, 1.0 MPI,  for my daughter and last night the '12v Battery not charging' light came on and the car has gone into limp mode and stop/start is disabled.

I purchased a new EFB battery today, (first part of the elimination process to the problem!), and installed it, but the warning stays in place.

I understand from reading through this forum, that the ECU will require the battery coding, and found the relevant post that details how to do it.

I have VCDS, release 21.3, and connected into the OBD port, as you do.

Upon running auto scan, it comes up 'unsupported vehicle please upgrade to a current Ross Tech interface.

My interface is a Hex V2, which according to Ross Techs forums is the correct type.

 

The new battery sits at 12.55v, but when the engine is running, stays at about 12.09v, and my understanding is this should be over 14v.

 

I will be checking the alternator output tomorrow but my main concern is that my VCDS isnt working?

 

Anyone had anything similar?

12 hours ago, Zuglie said:

but the warning stays in place

Just driving the car may turn off the warnings and you could also whilst try before driving off turning the power steering wheel from full lock one side to full lock the other side to convince the computers the battery is up to the task. 

 

12 hours ago, Zuglie said:

but my main concern is that my VCDS isnt working?

If you get no response to this here you could try posting on the 'Diagnostics & VCDS' forum. - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/23-diagnostics-amp-vcds/

 

12 hours ago, Zuglie said:

I will be checking the alternator output tomorrow

Is the alternator ok?

 

Had my Ancell OBD on it this morning, it states there is a mechanical failure in the generator. Output at battery when running 12.06v. Looks like alternator is kaput!

Or a part of the alternator, or a wire or connection to it.  Did you clear any/all error codes?

 

I hope your daughter knows about very generally how a car works and use of electric in the car (and home) otherwise she might hammer the battery to an earlier replacement  especially on a 2019 car.

 

12.55v is ok but if the battery's not being charged it won't remain that way long, if you're not able to sort the alternator quickly, if your daughter doesn't already know you might want to show or suggest to your daughter she uses an appropriate battery charger and maintainer to fully recharge the battery.  Better if  daughters aren't fully reliant on any man including their fathers (better for the father too).  😄

Edited 10 November, 20232 yr by nta16
ETA: or a wire or connection to it

Yeah, shes had a baptism of fire! 

Didnt go down well when I got the phone call at midnight, and I was away with work!

Got it booked into our local garage Monday, as I cant source a replacement locally & quickly, and I work away Mon-Fri.

Oh the joys.....

 

Hello @Zuglie is the auxiliary drive belt ok? Have you got the correct (MPI) description for the Fabia 3?

Edited 10 November, 20232 yr by Warrior193
extra question

@Warrior193 - yes the belt is tight and not slipping. Getting it replaced on Monday regardless with the alternator.

Thanks for responding!

 

If you have a VCDS and HEX-V2 interface, why don't you just download the latest issue of VCDS to start with, it will include a firmware update as well by now.

@Zuglie does your Ancell cover more than basics on the MK3 Fabia and if so how good or not do you find it as a scanner?  I know it's heresy here but I personally find the VCDS horrible, old and outdated and now my neighbour has moved away I no longer have access to his Topdon and am thinking of perhaps getting a scanner that also covers some service stuff on the Mk3 Fabia.

 

3 hours ago, Zuglie said:

Had my Ancell OBD on it this morning, it states there is a mechanical failure in the generator. Output at battery when running 12.06v. Looks like alternator is kaput!

 

 

16 hours ago, Zuglie said:

The new battery sits at 12.55v, but when the engine is running, stays at about 12.09v, and my understanding is this should be over 14v.

 

That would be correct for a stop-start vehicle with a fully charged battery, I fear you may be changing the alternator for nothing.

If you raised the engine revs to maybe 1500rpm just after starting this car, I’d expect the voltage to rise to over 14V. Also if you monitor the voltage at the “ciggy lighter” socket, and take the car for a run, after a mile or so, with the car on the over run, again the voltage should get up to over 14V.

If the voltage is always 12.??V then the alternator output is not varying as expected for some reason.

On 10/11/2023 at 11:11, Zuglie said:

Getting it replaced on Monday regardless with the alternator

Make sure it is a smart stop/start alternator that they fit.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

Hi,
On my Fabia 1.1 TSI 110 from 2020, if I charge my battery with an external charger (Ctek Start and stop) completely and I take the car, the system displays a voltage of 12 volts for around 20 kms before returning to a situation normal (google translation...)

12 hours ago, FabiaDrive125 said:

Hi,
On my Fabia 1.1 TSI 110 from 2020, if I charge my battery with an external charger (Ctek Start and stop) completely and I take the car, the system displays a voltage of 12 volts for around 20 kms before returning to a situation normal (google translation...)

Oh yes, I've done that and noticed that behaviour on both our cars with smart charging, one without Stop/Start and one with Stop/Start, the "car" is just harvesting the "excess" charge from the battery.

Thank you for this response which reassures me.

Quick update - it was the alternator!

Replaced alternator, new belt = all working  well!  

@Zuglie thanks for reporting back - new battery battery, alternator and belt should take your daughter a lot, lot, lot longer to drain the battery but it's still possible if your daughter is a high electric user, especially on short journeys or parked up engine off, charging up various items whilst just finishing those important "media" and phone calls that go on because the journey was too short to say and hear or send and view everything needed (or not). 😄