Hi all.

I need a new battery for my Fabia MK3 as the original 6 year old battery its losing its charge after a couple of days parked up, and the car wont start because the battery is flat.

I have managed to find a new one that has the same 640CCA and 60AH as my original.

So, is any coding required?

It is very strongly advised that adaptation (coding) should always be done when replacing the battery - the reason being to ensure any recorded defects in the BCM by the old battery, that may be limiting the alternator output, are cleared.

If the new battery specs and type are exactly the same as original, simply changing the final digit of the original battery serial number will do this.

7 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

It is very strongly advised that adaptation (coding) should always be done when replacing the battery - the reason being to ensure any recorded defects in the BCM by the old battery, that may be limiting the alternator output, are cleared.

If the new battery specs and type are exactly the same as original, simply changing the final digit of the original battery serial number will do this.

Hi Warrior193

Thanks for your reply.

I will have to get it coded at a garage, i dont have whats needed.

The only message i get is the low battery warning on the display.

I checked the alternator output and it was just over 14v.

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

Some Briskoda members offer the use of their scanners to recode the battery (and perhaps do a health report or find and delete error codes that may be present from battery being flat) all for a beer token (more if they're professionals). See if there's one available in your area. - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262215-list-of-vcds-owners-previously-known-as-vag-com-vcp-owners/#comment-3091029

6 years isn't too bad especially compared to some but for even longer life and good usage something to consider with your new battery is occasional, or when required, preventative recharging using an appropriate battery charger maintainer following the instructions in the car's 'Owner's Manual' and charger maintainer's instructions (and charging the battery to full).

Good luck.

Edited 10 October, 202510 Oct by nta16
typo

31 minutes ago, nta16 said:

Some Briskoda members offer the use of their scanners to recode the battery (and perhaps do a health report or find and delete error codes that may be present from battery being flat) all for a beer token (more if they're professionals). See if there's one available in your area. - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262215-list-of-vcds-owners-previously-known-as-vag-com-vcp-owners/#comment-3091029

6 years isn't too bad especially compared to some but for even longer life and good usage something to consider with your new battery is occasional, or when required, preventative recharging using an appropriate battery charger maintainer following the instructions in the car's 'Owner's Manual' and charger maintainer's instructions (and charging the battery to full).

Good luck.

Hi nta16.

Thanks for your reply.

I will be replacing the battery soon,i have an Autel AL619 OBDII diagnostic scanner, i dont think it will delete any BCM codes (if any), but do know if the AL619 is of any use regarding the battery replacement?

On 07/10/2025 at 21:52, Gazbc said:

Hi all.

I need a new battery for my Fabia MK3 as the original 6 year old battery its losing its charge after a couple of days parked up, and the car wont start because the battery is flat.

I have managed to find a new one that has the same 640CCA and 60AH as my original.

So, is any coding required?

Losing charge that fast may indicate a parasitic drain, rather than simply an old battery.

It would be wise to measure this and rectify any problems found before fitting a new battery, otherwise you may soon find that one going flat too.

A quick look at a AL619 set of users instructions shows nothing to suggest it would do battery coding, more a code reader. - https://www.autel.com/u/cms/www/202207/08064355prti.pdf

If you've not yet already replaced the battery then I would certainly try a long, low and slow recharge (matches drain) of the battery to full as described above and see how well the battery holds this and performs before rushing to replace the (expensive) battery and sort the 'coding' - in fact I've done this a good few times before. Sometimes getting much more useable and reliable life out the battery by occasional or as required preventative recharging as described.

Good point made about possible drain but you will know the history of your car and battery and you use.

Some favour using an expensive and fancy battery charger and/or one with a recovery or reconditioning or other description settings but I've never found the need for other than an appropriate charger (a lower amps 2, 3 or4-amp charger maintainer) and checking connections are all clean and secure and appropriately protected.

But I can understand some prefer an aged battery that has gone totally flat to be replaced for sake of reassurance and convenience, just sometimes even in such cases a premature change.

Good luck.

Edited 10 October, 202510 Oct by nta16
typo

P.S. You might want to check the price of the battery you have found against a supplier like Tanya Batteries and if you are going to get the battery 'coded' then you don't have to exactly match your existing battery specifications. Don't get caught up too much with bigger numbers necessarily being better as it's also about how well the battery can retain its performance and their are different specification authorities so it can be difficult for true comparisons but a good battery is a good battery and some are better than others even if a little less expensive sometimes.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/Skoda-Fabia-Car-Battery

Thank you everyone.

Actually the battery could be more than 6 years old, i have owned the car 6 years, so the battery could be even older.

I did order an Exide 027 EFB EL600

a few days ago from Tayna with the same 640CCA and 60AH spec as the one in my 2015 fabia mk3.

I have it and will fit it today,i didnt know about parasitic draw and its worth knowing about it now.

Anyway, thank you all once again, much appreciated.

Lets see how it goes.

if car refuse to use start stop system in any case, battery is done. it wont hold electricity. even unconnected.

try to recharge battery and unplug minus terminal and leave 2 nights. if than is no drain, there is a problem, but if battery drains unconnected, its dead.

1 hour ago, imart143 said:

if car refuse to use start stop system in any case, battery is done. it wont hold electricity. even unconnected.

try to recharge battery and unplug minus terminal and leave 2 nights. if than is no drain, there is a problem, but if battery drains unconnected, its dead.

Hi.

Thanks for your advice, i fitted a new battery today, i didnt see your post, i will see how it goes, some members on here have mentioned to check for a parasitic drain, but i had already bought the battery by then, so i might as well fit it.

So, all i can do is see how the new battery goes, if i have the same problem i will be posting on here for advice on possible parasitic drain.

If you've not yet coded the battery then start the engine, put the headlights, air-con and bower on, fully turn the steering wheel fully to both left and right to show the computer that the battery has plenty of power then turn off headlights, air-con and blower as required and go for a drive to help clear any VW error codes.

12 minutes ago, nta16 said:

If you've not yet coded the battery then start the engine, put the headlights, air-con and bower on, fully turn the steering wheel fully to both left and right to show the computer that the battery has plenty of power then turn off headlights, air-con and blower as required and go for a drive to help clear any VW error codes.

What's the point of this? How do you know that this tells the vehicle there's enough power in the battery?

34 minutes ago, nta16 said:

If you've not yet coded the battery then start the engine, put the headlights, air-con and bower on, fully turn the steering wheel fully to both left and right to show the computer that the battery has plenty of power then turn off headlights, air-con and blower as required and go for a drive to help clear any VW error codes.

Hi.

I didnt know you could do that, i will give it a go, thanks pal.

The only thing they do with it is give the alternator a 100% lin signal so that the alternator delivers full power. This tells the vehicle nothing about the battery.

1 hour ago, Cairus said:

The only thing they do with it is give the alternator a 100% lin signal so that the alternator delivers full power. This tells the vehicle nothing about the battery.

I wasn't being literal. Many users report it helps to load up and clear some codes quicker.

You have your VCDS you can look at what figures are in what fields but who knows all the car's parameters for accept error codes not required.

Some things are not necessary or strictly necessary but if something is quick, easy, clean-hands to try and cause no harm why not for reassurance if nothing else, the car is one thing the owner driver is another (and much more important), wider picture sort of thing.