Whats the state of charge of your battery?

[gupsterg]

Hi fellow members :) ...

As the most unluckiest A6 owner I wanted to know what does MVB 6 data window 3 Battery state of charge say... been as below after car started...
before start was still 50%... mine is an original Audi Varta battery I can't find date code on it but very likely to be original fit@production (2005)...

Link:- Battery module MVB's (http://www.audi-portal.com/en/diagnostic/ecu_12876.html#1)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Idle%20Rev%20Issue/IMG_0206_zpsd2a0774d.jpg

Before start multimeter at battery read 11.96v after a very short drive (less than a mile) it said 12.36v...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Idle%20Rev%20Issue/IMG_0207_zpsac2e7ee4.jpg

Car had not been started for 24 hours, AC, auto lights,wipers, coming/leaving home lights off,etc,etc for tests...

There is a video I will upload which shows multimeter reading whilst cranking engine the lowest reading was 10.00v for moment...
I've been reading stuff on net which say 9.5v is a duff battery?

Is anyone able to give a multimeter reading of there battery before starting? doesn't matter how long been standing but please state how long since last start...

Thanks :) ...

This is video of rev counter@start... as needle bounces feel engine vibration, etc, etc...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4k674HUBXE&feature=youtu.be

[gupsterg]

For speed here low res... later to be replaced with the HD one... multimeter was on 11.96v but by the time I setup laptop with VCDS logging it went down :( ...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4CqmHZKg_o&feature=youtu.be

[fieldy]

Vid on private mate, or is it just me? :)

[gupsterg]

Sorry mate sorted :o...

[fieldy]

Hi fellow members :) ...

As the most unluckiest A6 owner I wanted to know what does MVB 6 data window 3 Battery state of charge say... been as below after car started...
before start was still 50%... mine is an original Audi Varta battery I can't find date code on it but very likely to be original fit@production (2005)...

Link:- Battery module MVB's (http://www.audi-portal.com/en/diagnostic/ecu_12876.html#1)

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Idle%20Rev%20Issue/IMG_0206_zpsd2a0774d.jpg

Before start multimeter at battery read 11.96v after a very short drive (less than a mile) it said 12.36v...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Idle%20Rev%20Issue/IMG_0207_zpsac2e7ee4.jpg

Car had not been started for 24 hours, AC, auto lights,wipers, coming/leaving home lights off,etc,etc for tests...

There is a video I will upload which shows multimeter reading whilst cranking engine the lowest reading was 10.00v for moment...
I've been reading stuff on net which say 9.5v is a duff battery?

Is anyone able to give a multimeter reading of there battery before starting? doesn't matter how long been standing but please state how long since last start...

Thanks :) ...

This is video of rev counter@start... as needle bounces feel engine vibration, etc, etc...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4k674HUBXE&feature=youtu.be

Dont have a multimeter unfortunately or would gladly help. I would say though that to me it seems to take a long to catch and start, suggesting maybe the battery isnt tip top. Im pretty certain mine starts in at least half the time. Unfortunately i cant check because its in the garage having various major surgeries performed. Not much use tonight all in all, sorry mate. :)

[gupsterg]

I would say though that to me it seems to take a long to catch and start, suggesting maybe the battery isnt tip top. Im pretty certain mine starts in at least half the time.

This was first start after 24 hours of sitting... then I went drop child to a club... on return leg car started very quick, very smooth idle rev and start up...
Hour later went to pick up again very quick, very smooth idle rev and start up on going there & coming back...

After say 24 hours sitting how does yours start mate?

[fieldy]

This was first start after 24 hours of sitting... then I went drop child to a club... on return leg car started very quick, very smooth idle rev and start up...
Hour later went to pick up again very quick, very smooth idle rev and start up on going there & coming back...

After say 24 hours sitting how does yours start mate?

Its really annoying now because i just want go out and check as doubting myself. Definitely takes a bit longer after 24 hours, just recall it being a bit more spirited than your vid. I would say 3-4 turns before taking. Will def check the second i get it back. :)

[gupsterg]

So after 1 and half hours standing I connected the multimeter up... showed 12.10v... then with in 3min of setting up camera & laptop and leaving xenons on it went to 11.80v...

So heres VCDS

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Idle%20Rev%20Issue/IMG_0212_zpsfd22adc5.jpg

Then the start video... now note how the needle sinks just for a mo below 800rpm then stabilises... I can live with that and earlier when I did above listed journeys it was actually better than this start :) ...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmyr68KaKyI&feature=youtu.be

[gupsterg]

Now like I said before setting up equipment 12.10v, at start about 11.80v so higher than last time... then lowest at cranking is 10.30v, higher than last test...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVsv_3gWB4g&feature=youtu.be

Note the less vibration of camera after car started vs orig video... so much quicker... there are so many factors ie engine temp, battery condition, charge air, etc,etc,etc.. http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/banghead.gifhttp://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/banghead.gifhttp://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/banghead.gif...

I wish I had really sold this car before doing the chains :banghead:... me & the wife look in autotrader and see very new cars for £16 to £18 K with great spec...

I've blown £5.(x)k... if do battery that another £100... if not fix and start looking at EGR setup could be more http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/banghead.gif...

This car can idle at times so well at startup why not all the time at every start :confused:...

What ever I do concerning my next step has to be really well thought out...

[man le-mans]

I feel your pain gup and can understand how frustrated you must feel after all the hassle you have had. Sometimes it's best to cut your loss and start again because it can start to over take your life, you can get some good deals now and maybe you can get a good price for yours maybe worth looking into. But on the over hand once sorted you should have a well sorted car.

[gupsterg]

Cheers again mate :beerchug:... I gotta say this forum has saved my sanity :approve: ...

The sad thing is I could have bought a £15- £20k car at the time :banghead::banghead::banghead: ... I was being tight :Blush2: and you wouldn't of guessed that from the £££ i've spent now! LOL!

I just thought its an Audi... its V6 3.0 (oodles of power, it not gonna be dead after 70K)... its an Auto (less chance IMO vs a manual of being ragged in wrong gear,etc)...

How far from the reality I was :( ... ah well you live and learn...

So I think another single malt chaser tonight... so night night peeps ;) ... see you guys tomorrow!...

[man le-mans]

I had a lucky escape before I bought mine. I put a deposit down on a 2.7 57 plate le-mans with 55k on it and 2 days before I was to collect it from the main dealer they phoned me and said they are going to back out of the deal as they have found metal bits in the gearbox oil and because they couldn't tell where it had come from the cost would have been 7k in parts to replace it all. This worried me so I thought I just buy new and now think should I have bought a old BMW or kept me old c5 2.5tdi a6 sport because I worry where I park the bloody thing as its now 18mths old and still mint.

Not sure I learn tho as I nearly bought a XFR middle of last year untill the wife kept reminding me what I'm like with this car

[gupsterg]

I did just that RE my van Link:- VW Crafter CR35 MWB HR 2.0 TDi PS136 (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?138029-VW-Crafter-CR35-MWB-HR-2-0-TDi-PS136)

Gonna ride it around and see what happen... really got to think things through before I spend more on it...

Once funds allow chop it in for a Skoda Superb Estate Elegance/LK new one...

Not gonna go any prestige badge IMO at this time...

[man le-mans]

Yeah I know about that just thinking through if to buy a new transit or not but same again worried about it dented and stuff. The van I've got just turned 3 years old and runs ok.I don't know life a

[fieldy]

Gup - said i would when i got it back, so here it is (for what use its worth). Cold start after 24 hours standing.

Audi C6 A6 3.0tdi start up - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JbN0qLlQ3Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player)

Enjoy.

[kristofferS]

coming up, 13,95 With engine running and 11,70 With ignition. State is 70%... 1898918990

[msh]

Hi there.

I have got the exact same problem. Aftre leaving my A6 3.2 Quattro overnight it always struggles to start in the morning, sometimes it may be less than 24 hours. The original battery only read 11.8 v after standing so because the car is 7 years old i replaced with an original Varta battery. This did not help. Then the alternator was only charging at 13.8 volts so i had that changed also which took 5 hours labour to remove front bumper. This also made hardly any difference. The battery will read 12.67 after a good run and will start straight away but after a while it can drop as low as 12.15v .
I have found a fuse on the passenger side marked communications that is reading 0.58ma so today i have pulled this fuse to see if it makes any difference tomorrow.
I have told Main Dealer about battery change and they said as long as there arnt any warning lights on then it dose not not need coding to battery manager.

I have left the car with Audi Specialist overnight on 2 occasions but OBD codes did not find any significant faults.

I think it may be radio, sat nav or something connected to that that is draining battery overnight.

I have spent hours now trying to fix this annoying problem on a car which i really love. (except the 22 mpg of course).

Lets hope between us we can get to the bottom of this. I have even thought about buying a 10watt solar battery charger to see if this helps?

[kristofferS]

Guys, just one question about Your battery: do you use a maintenance battery charger occationally? I ask because (here at least), it is pretty common knowledge that the car alternator never is able to fully charge a battery. Things like this? (http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-7002-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FRLO9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357854393&sr=8-2&keywords=ctech+battery+charger)

[msh]

Guys, just one question about Your battery: do you use a maintenance battery charger occationally? I ask because (here at least), it is pretty common knowledge that the car alternator never is able to fully charge a battery. Things like this? (http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-7002-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FRLO9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357854393&sr=8-2&keywords=ctech+battery+charger)

Hi,
My battery seems to be fully charged at 12.6 volts after a bit of a run so shouldn't really need an external charger. I think something else is the problem, ie. a drain of some sort.

[kristofferS]

Yes, I totally agree for Your case. You have a draining problem :)

[gupsterg]

Hi msh :) ...

My battery is not draining when left for period IMO... the query I had was is my battery not supplying enough cranking amps/volts due to ageing... thus sending car electronics a bit mental and creating a idle issue at startup...
I'm trying to do these separate threads to get specific answers/comparatives to what I think maybe causes to create effect I'm experiencing at startup...

1. thread got way to big... Link:- BMK 3.0 TDi hunting erratic idle revs ( Have I got the most lemon A6!!! ) (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?138282-BMK-3-0-TDi-hunting-erratic-idle-revs-%28-Have-I-got-the-most-lemon-A6!!!-%29)

2. Diagnosing a poor mass air flow meter .... (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?140815-Diagnosing-a-poor-mass-air-flow-meter)

3. Signs of compression loss... (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?140986-Signs-of-compression-loss)

4. Whats your ECU / Module 01 coding II... (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?141291-Whats-your-ECU-Module-01-coding-II)

5. A6/C6 injector PROBLEM - Replacement/refurbished injectors possible? (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?133290-A6-C6-injector-PROBLEM-Replacement-refurbished-injectors-possible)

Plus this :o...

Yours maybe covered by a technical service bulletin... the things I remember off the top of my head... IIRC battery regulation module may need software update/coding check... MMI may need firmware update so TMC/Radio unit not stay active... plus advance key can cause issue...

Link:- http://uberlame.com/a6_tsb/Electrical/Battery%20Dead%20%282%29.pdf

Link:- http://uberlame.com/a6_tsb/Ignition%20and%20Keys/Battery%20discharged%20on%20vehicles%20with%20Adva nced%20Key.pdf


Guys, just one question about Your battery: do you use a maintenance battery charger occationally? I ask because (here at least), it is pretty common knowledge that the car alternator never is able to fully charge a battery. Things like this? (http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-7002-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FRLO9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357854393&sr=8-2&keywords=ctech+battery+charger)

I've used a maintenance charger a few times, what I'm going to due is some no load tests, etc... due to the temperatures in Norway maintenance charging must be necessary with cold weather internal resistance increase in battery thus it will not delivery power... the factors that effect a battery are a few have a google...

This is another great thread that I've been reading for info to relate to tests... Link:- Battery Message & Cold Weather (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?110457-Battery-Message-amp-Cold-Weather)

Some more good links Link:- Discharging at High and Low Temperatures - Battery University (http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/discharging_at_high_and_low_temperatures)

Link:- Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Battery Information - Battery University


Gup - said i would when i got it back, so here it is (for what use its worth). Cold start after 24 hours standing.

(http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm)
Audi C6 A6 3.0tdi start up - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JbN0qLlQ3Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player)

Enjoy.

Yours sounds/looks sweet mate :beerchug:... as always THANK YOU VERY MUCH! lets have a meet up :) ... if you happy PM me and lets arrange one...

[gupsterg]

coming up, 13,95 With engine running and 11,70 With ignition. State is 70%... 1898918990

Your SOC is 20% higher than mine... below is image that forum member Apole sent be today... his is 80%...

18991

So very big thank you guys for taking the time to do this :beerchug:...

**** UPDATE 13/01/13 ****

So by ref'ing Link:- State of charge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_charge) & (google search) SSP 287 (Pages 17 onwards) & 326 (Pages 10,11,12)

So will be recharging battery today and seeing what effect it has...

[kristofferS]

Yep, and my car is just over 5 years. (I suppose original battery).
I just got the car, so I don't think a battery maintenance charger has ever been used on this car...


Your SOC is 20% higher than mine... below is image that forum member Apole sent be today... his is 80%...

18991

So very big thank you guys for taking the time to do this :beerchug:...

**** UPDATE 13/01/13 ****

So by ref'ing Link:- State of charge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_charge) & (google search) SSP 287 (Pages 17 onwards) & 326 (Pages 10,11,12)

So will be recharging battery today and seeing what effect it has...

[gupsterg]

Thanks again for that info :)... here's video of my battery... Link:- My battery A6 Avant 3.0 TDi 2005 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amO02Tduljo)

I'm conducting further MVB tests today :) ...

Alternator working AOK IMO... by viewing MVB 01 data window 3 you will see when you run AC, switch on/off head lights the reaction to loading...

MVB 4 is another good one as that shows energy balance and shows alternator function correctly to recharge...

Now "State of Charge" is my concern, I've now left car with all "Auto" functions disabled and recharging it...

Battery module monitoring is active even after ignition off from the short period I left laptop connected...

**** update ***

Recharger is saying battery is full & now indicating maintaining it... IIRC 08:15am was when charger applied now just gone 9am so sometime in between it reach this point... going to leave it longer and hoping SOC reading is higher...

[rafletcher]

For general info have a look here

http://www.autohausaz.com/audi-auto-parts/audi-electrical-systems.html

[apole]

HI MSH,

I had the same issue as you.

2 things fixed mine. Firstly you will find one of the 3 units in the boot are likely to be draining the battery, simple test is to remove the 3 fuses on the RHS of the boot that supply the AMP, Radio and Nav units (look at the manual as to which fuses). I put in a new fused loom supplying these via an ignition switched relay and that cured that. Downside (other than the work to do it) is your nav has to locate satellites which takes a couple of minutes.

2nd thing was to ensure the battery manager module (61 in VCDS) is correctly coded, mine was all zero's.

This controls many things including how much charge the battery gets so correct coding makes a significant difference.

Ping me if you need some help.

Andy

[gupsterg]

Hi Andy,

Got way laid but when I saw that advanced key TSB last night thought about sending you...

Really thanks for info concerning your SOC :fing02:... mine still at 50% after charging virtually from 8:15 am til now... went for a little drive to check, starting symptoms still there no different on SOC reading either :rolleyes:... so I think until compression test done not willing to spend £££ on battery and/or genuine MAF...

Gonna email the indi garage to see if they can run more tests when doing the comp.test & glow plug change...

ATB
Gup

PS Thanks for link Raflectcher :approve:, a good read!

[A6quattro3.0]

If its still of use to you Gupsterg, I'll put a multimeter on my battery tonight. I have only got basic MMI on my car (details below) and the battery level is always 100%. For a 2005 car on the original battery this is bizarre because batteries generally only last about 5 to 7 years. The car always starts immediately, the only exception being once or twice when I was in the Alps last year when it was -16C. It sounded like it was misfiring for a second at most. I never keep it on an optimate and even after standing idle for 2 weeks while I am away it just fires straight away....

[gupsterg]

I would appreciate that very much :) ...

[sparker]

Gup,

Haven't had time to keep up with posts although I have PM you. I would say looking at your video your battery sounds drained. My MVB 06 battery status is 70%. (I did PM this to you did you not get it?) Reading PM reply you sent it is clearly is a hunting issue still.
The battery I went for was genuine Audi Varta, so I could code it, you probable know how to code an after market battery I didn't so went with the Audi one. I think a new battery would not be a waste of money but in the long run might save you some hassle when it gets cold again. If you have the original battery fitted then the car is due a new one.

I had spoken to a battery specialist about a different cars battery problem. He was telling me about there being a lot of problems with modern cars and gel batteries. If they get low then you have to charge new gel type batteries differently than of old. The new chargers used run through a cycle of very high charge rate and then low charge rate, if a normal charger is used the battery will not hold the charge properly. They get lots of perfect batteries sent back as faulty because of this.

Did you get the Engine coding II email? I will post that on the other thread if you didn't.

[gupsterg]

I totally agree with your thoughts... but just finding it hard to spend the £££ at mo... current total is near £5.(x)k since buying Aug 11 :yikes: ...
Everytime I think this will be it and it is not...

I know you understand fully that if it was just a case of needle doing it and not engine then I'd have let it pass...
It has not been easy to spend what I have, it may seem that from how I've been going about it...

Yes just seen SOC in PM my heads a bit :boggled:... please post the ECU coding in the related thread...

The charger I'm using is the same as this Halfords | Halfords Fully Automatic Battery Charger (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_89 4769_langId_-1_categoryId_255205#tab1)

I bought mine about 5 years ago so shape of housing different and has two selection switches... one for type of vehicle, second for type of battery here when you select sealed that also makes it aware of a gel type battery, in manual and the front label it specifies what it supports...

I've seen a few call Halfords some other names... but IMO some of the kit there is very good...
Same with ebay people make puns but TBH got great bargains from there ;) ...

Thanks for all the support & help mate :)...

[sparker]

Deep cycling charger thats is it. So should be charging it up just fine. Your video sounds like the starter is labouring and turning slow compared with mine. I can't remember if you had any faulty glow plugs, if you don't then I would say your car should be starting much quicker than it did. Even if I fire mine up without giving the glow plugs a chance to heat up or when a glow plug had failed it still started much quicker than yours did but with a bit of smoke. Really it sounded like it was turning over to slow. I believe you have charged the battery for long time and state of charge is still 50% then something is wrong. I had my old battery tested by Audi result was - Battery is OK. But the charge is low. The battery charge is 60%. If you have fully charged yours using deep cycle charger and the charge is still 50% then I would say battery not OK.

I believe that when a battery is in a state of good charge then cold minus deg weather doesn't damage them. If in poor state of charge then cold weather can buckle the plates but that might just be on old lead acid batteries.

I always seem to be getting you to spend more money, sorry. You can have my old one to try if you are in Watford again soon, might save you a bit money for a little while. It does seem it was OK any way.

[gupsterg]

Car been charging since 08:15am til time of post, only 1 journey <1 mile... SOC=50% been constantly@all checks... car been taken by the wife! will check SOC later...

Multimeter has been attached to battery at terminals, readings between VCDS & Multimeter within 0.0(x)v... car will recharge even when locked...

When car running I see 14.(xx)v@shutdown 12.2(x)v... once car locked and go to sleep mode denoted by the hazard light illumination going off it will rise to 12.45v...

IMO I have no parasitic drain... I may try recoding the battery to see if I can reset SOC to 100% and monitor to see if it go down as recharging has had no effect...

*** UPDATE 17:15 ***

After changing serial number of battery in coding of battery reg.module SOC has gone to 70%... now not recharging battery... multimeter on battery to see readings of volts with car in sleep mode... 12.45v...

*** UPDATE 19:40 ***

Multimeter reading 12.37v, car still in sleep mode, SOC not checked...

[A6quattro3.0]

If its still of use to you Gupsterg, I'll put a multimeter on my battery tonight. I have only got basic MMI on my car (details below) and the battery level is always 100%. For a 2005 car on the original battery this is bizarre because batteries generally only last about 5 to 7 years. The car always starts immediately, the only exception being once or twice when I was in the Alps last year when it was -16C. It sounded like it was misfiring for a second at most. I never keep it on an optimate and even after standing idle for 2 weeks while I am away it just fires straight away....
ok just checked. car hasstood for 4 hrs after only a 2 mile run. befor that i cant remember the last time i used it. certainly over a week ago. 12.10v before sarting it, 13.99v after i started it. headlights on, everhthing else in auto. hope that helps dude

[A6quattro3.0]

sorry for typos i am on a crap tablet
and have been in pub !!!!

[A6quattro3.0]

just watchdd ur first video. surely u should start it immediately after the glow plug light goes off. it sounds like it has no preheating at all. second video shows what i would call a normal start ...

[gupsterg]

I have new set of glow plugs... they will be going in when I get compression test done, as they are removed to do test...
Besides that initial glow the glow plug system works for upto 3min after start to lower emissions, improve combustion, lower noise from cold start,etc... read info and get SSP highlighted here Link:- Which Glow Plugs for 3.0TDI (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?134034-Which-Glow-Plugs-for-3-0TDI-%28BMK%29&p=771652#post771652)

First video is the issue, second is what I would like on all starts but still has a bit of dipping... if you ref fieldy's video below that is a perfect start... My car should start like that but it does not... his had been standing for 24 hours..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JbN0qLlQ3Y&amp;feature=youtube_gdata_player

Fieldy has had virtually same level of work done as me bar MAF & timing chains.. please look here for more info Link:- BMK 3.0 TDi hunting erratic idle revs ( Have I got the most lemon A6!!! ) - Page 23 (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?138282-BMK-3-0-TDi-hunting-erratic-idle-revs-%28-Have-I-got-the-most-lemon-A6!!!-%29&p=775506#post775506)

Thank you very much for doing the test:bigok:

[A6quattro3.0]

well if you are sure you are preheating it ok and starting as soon as the light goes off..,,, then if it crank as shown in your first video then its got to be compression problem has it not ?
you have no compression or preheating problem in your second video -and there is less likely to be a compression problem when warm.

stick the new glow plugs in and it may be fine IMHO

[gupsterg]

First video after 24 hours sitting (issue happen), then short drive of under 1 mile (no issue), then car sit for an hour, then short drive of under 1 mile (no issue), car sit for 2 hours, then second video done, so engine pretty cold...

If it pass compression then it will have new glow plugs done and if it need battery then that will also be done...

Whilst mulling things over my battery is probably getting to be 8 years old now... yes my car Sep'05 first reg but build date was earlier, some parts have date code of being even earlier then build date as build date is when car put together not when part made...

As mine an Avant I can view battery & multimeter through tailgate window, I have left the multimeter connected to the battery, car is locked and in sleep mode, multimeter read 12.36v @ time of this post...

Tomorrow morning will check multimeter before unlocking car then take a state of charge reading in VCDS...

[sparker]

Hi Gup,

The multimeter reading is not really a good test of battery performance. Just for the record my old battery had same v result as yours when charged the new battery held nearly 14v (not with car running as that is charging amps).
Really the only way to check a battery is with a heavy discharge tester. That will show you how your battery is standing up under load.
If glow plugs are not working then your slow to start engine will puff out a good cloud of unburnt diesel after it fires up, yours does not, so I would suspect under load your battery is cranking the engine slowly. 8 years it is at the end of its life.

[gupsterg]

Cheers again Sparker, I agree with what you are saying... so I've ordered a new Bosch S5 110ah 920 EN battery for £107 :)...

Just for for purpose of thread some links... Link:- VRLA battery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery) ... as sealed electrolyte not easy to check Link:- State of charge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_charge)

So volts reading can be used as an approximation, ref section terminal voltage here Link:- Automotive battery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_battery#Terminal_voltage)

The Battery module IMO uses voltage and other calculations to arrive at SOC, please reference the MVB's link in post 1...

Multimeter read 12.32v this morning... so yesterday after recharge 12.4(x)v, the other thing that has cropped up with reading up on stuff is that for accurate reading surface charge after recharge must be allowed to settle for about 12 hours...

I went for a drive of 6-7miles today, with 4 stops, 1st start worst, 2nd was perfect, 3rd & 4th little dip/rise with no engine noise like mis-fire or idle variation so very liveable, if I had not been looking I would not have known :) ...

Crank time was longest on 1st start, all the rest very quick... now we could say battery not giving enough amps that's why first crank long but compression gonna be lower as engine cold so easier for starter/less load on battery, later engine warmer so compression higher so more load perhaps for starter to crank as engine tighter but diesel gonna ignite quicker as engine warm so less length of crank...

So after looking at it in its entirety need new battery :) ... plus SOC (60%) after less then 12 hours car being off recharger & standing over night with very little electrical drain and driven like above...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Battery%20Testing%20stuff/Final_2_zps62885d82.jpg

and here MVB 1, 2, 3...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Battery%20Testing%20stuff/Final_1_zpsa8f45cbd.jpg

In most recent TSB/TPI related to BM software version 490 was fixed version or latest for my car...

Address 61: Battery Regul. Labels: 4F0-910-181.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 181 E HW: 4F0 915 181 A
Component: ENERGIEMANAGER H12 0490

It may still not be the fix but another little thing out of the loop...

[sparker]

Gup,

First start is always the hardest. Lower compression when cold, if that is the case would make little difference. Cold engine oil, and engine components make the engine stiffer and harder to turn over. Once oil is warmed and engine itself is hot and running in its correct tolerance then it makes much, much easier to crank.

[Guest 2]

2008 3.0 TDi ASB with 79820 on the clock

Car has been sitting for 36 hours, +3 degrees outside. Has spent the past 4/5 days parked at the airport but drove home (30 miles) and parked up until today when I done the first start.

Youtube video at the bottom of my reply ... There is a shudder/rock from the car until it settles again after startup (you can see the needle shake like mad after initial startup), this has been happening since I got the car in 2009 but only does it when its cold outside at anything below 5 or 6 degrees.

Change the video quality to 1080p using the cog wheel and view it in fullscreen and you will see what I mean.

Number 4 cylinder has a defective glowplug which will be getting fixed in 2 weeks time.

The battery was replaced in 2009, 2 days before I got the car, by Teesside Audi. The car was 1.25 years old at the time, with 33k on the clock.

VCDS Info:



Address 61: Battery Regul. Labels: 4F0-910-181.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 181 F HW: 4F0 915 181 B
Component: J0644 BEM H12 0760
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 00000000156776
Shop #: WSC 00000 512 00290
VCID: 244CF0149E5D

Part No: 4F0 915 105 D
Component: von VA0 2712030867
Coding: 344630393135313035442056413032373132303330383637
Shop #: WSC 00000 512 00290

No fault code found.

Ignition On:


http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz90/57_audi/A6/batteryignitionon_zps17502094.png


Car Started & Idling:


http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz90/57_audi/A6/batterystarted_zpsa5dcecf8.png


YouTube Video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ0f21hmsxU

[gupsterg]

My SOC is 50% today :( ... will check multimeter later... as been a busy boy today ;) ...

Thanks for video and lots of data Chris :beerchug:...

I honestly gotta say yours is fine the minor dip on needle is acceptable to me... but trust me mate if you had what mine doing the sharp up down in post 1 (which is the issue idle/start) you would know about it...

Yours starts so quick and not laboured at all...

Somethings video not capture... sometimes text loses translation of what poster trying to describe...

Trust me I'm not nuts... not yet :) ...

Maybe soon ;)...

[Guest 2]

No problemo Gup .. Always happy to help :)

Not sure what that little blip is in mine, but it's always when the car is stone cold and the outside temp is low. Never does it happen during the summer! :confused:

Fingers and toes crossed that something goes your way very quickly! ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gupsterg]

Hi peeps :) .... this was how Zesty the A6 was this morning...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Throttle_EGR_Intake/Roof_zps8e01a2e2.jpg

The video...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YeJFoZJ0EN0

Now this was old battery... but the Link:- Throttle body adapter has been cleaned (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?141451-Audi-A6-2-7-amp-3-0-TDi-EGR-amp-Intake-system-cleaning-info-please) ( Please post EGR related there, battery here TIA :) )

Now you could say needle is still dipping up/down but less sharp fluctuations IMO, no engine noise change (REF post 1 video)...
Now like I said some things are lost in video/text translation...

So this time no mis-fire noise, knocking, engine rocking very low after crank finished :) ... start was less laboured :) .... start was after 11hrs standing...

Other than the test drive last night after completing work linked above this was first cold start of car...

As no other sensory effects if I had not been looking would not have noticed which is the biggest difference...

Battery has not been on recharge since Saturday... all been small local journeys...

Subsequent starts been good only few little dips/rises but I'm putting that down to the way the car will be relearning stuff due to charge air functioning better:beerchug:...

I have picked up the new battery today will be fitted very soon :) ...

I hope the collective data helps someone else so thanks guys :You_Rock_... it helped me make a better decision :beerchug:...

[apole]

Hey Gup,

Looking good now, you must be pleased.

Question - on other cars I've had I noticed a difference in running if you reset the engine ECU by removing fuses. This was actually part of the service jobs on that particular car.

Now with more modern cars like the A6, does this have any effect - would it then reset and relearn all the different things that it controls and adapts to? Could be a factor or a help with all the work you've done so far.

On a different note, with my A6 when it had the low battery issue, a VCDS scan would reveal all kinds of other errors triggered by the low battery. I'd say once the issue was fixed my car definately starts better and ticks over better on a cold day, before it would idle much faster, now whether thats the less discharged battery or an ECU reset I couldn't say !!

If your car had been like it is now (before you had all a the issues) would you feel it was good? Maybe now you've beaten all the gremlins, I hope you have as you deserve it.

Keep us posted.

Andy

[gupsterg]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for data, gonna make the battery document you sent into a PDF and attach into this post later... very good info from you as always :fing02:...

Just to make sure new battery at its best placed on recharger yesterday was reading 12.86v before charging commence... unhooked tonight reading 13.48v :) ...

Gonna let the surface charge settle then maybe tonight place in car :) ...

Thanks for the suggestion on ECU reset but my belief some data must be stored in non volatile memory... but again could be wrong...

Anyway without deviating from battery topic the other stuff will be discussed in the other concurrent threads so please post any thoughts :) ...

I just hope I don't find after all this work I have compression thing going on :Blush2:...

ATB
Gup


*** Update ***

Today fitted new Bosch S5, multimeter read 13.05v no load after letting surface charge settle for 12 hrs...

As it is a 110ah like the genuine Audi I did not change part number in coding of battery reg.module... but it has high EN rating of 920a vs the 850a of old one..

Just changed serial to 5516012013... my car a 55... date is 16 01 2013...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Battery%20Testing%20stuff/boschbm1_zps5df5f580.jpg

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Battery%20Testing%20stuff/boschbm2_zpsa0055662.jpg

I was amazed to see 12.25v in MVB 01 data window 2 :) ... SOC now 90% in MVB 06 data window 3...

So fingers cross next update be a good one :) ...

*** Update 18/01/13 ***

So since the 16th the old battery been on recharge continuously... today it reached a no load voltage of 13.5v after recharger removed but rapidly starts tumbling...

The Bosch one when removed off recharger after 12hrs had 13.5v but did not tumble quickly, 13.05v after 12hrs standing where as the old one reaches this in minute or so...

Will now remove recharger tomorrow morning from old one and take reading in the evening...

[gupsterg]

Checked new battery MVB's today... it has not been on recharge since fitting on 16th, car has been driven all days, longest was on snow day :) ...

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Battery%20Testing%20stuff/snowfinal1_zps6df3e961.jpg

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg629/gupsterg/Battery%20Testing%20stuff/snowfinal2_zps77e7a73d.jpg

SOC still 90%, voltage look good in MVB :) ... I had some doubts to if fitting battery was wise but now believe fully it was best step :) ...

[sparker]

Ignoring the VCDS. Is it turning over properly on first start of the day?

[Guest 2]

Ignoring the VCDS. Is it turning over properly on first start of the day?

Seems to be the first start of the day in post #46?

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?141284-Whats-the-state-of-charge-of-your-battery&p=776650#post776650

[sparker]

Hi Chris,

I meant too say, Is it turning over properly on the first start of the day with the new battery fitted?

Hopefully it is turning over much faster now.

Cheers

[Guest 2]

Ah, sorry not fully awake yet!

[gupsterg]

Hi guys :) ...

Yep Link:- post 46 (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?141284-Whats-the-state-of-charge-of-your-battery&p=776650#post776650) of this thread is old battery...

Since fitting new battery not yet experienced as long a first start of day, turns over pretty quick and been very low outside temps...
All features have been on "Auto" like lights (coming/leaving home lights on for 10secs), AC on "Auto", etc ,etc...

No change in usual driving speed or mileage over the days with new battery... below is with new battery, very low outsides temps eg 0c...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6tfUHTe1Us&amp;feature=youtu.be

[gupsterg]

Hi http://cdn.as-static.com/vb/images/smilies/friends.gif's,

It has truly been emotional http://cdn.as-static.com/vb/images/smilies/crying.gif but today it is a time for http://cdn.as-static.com/vb/images/smilies/yahoo.gif...

As the sharp hitching of revs on first start of the day/when engine cold has not occurred for a few days... intermediate temp flutter remains but I'm hoping EGR/intake system decoke will help as that MVB goes out when this happens...

I was thinking I will post once final glow plug is done but could not contain the happiness of posting this info it has been truly a long and arduous journey with all that I've done to my A6...

My glow plugs showed no faults in VCDS, visual inspection on removal they do not look damaged, to me they seem original factory fit ones so perhaps after 8yrs/80k miles they had become poor...

There have been times where I truly felt people must think I'm http://cdn.as-static.com/vb/images/smilies/wacko.gif... but I continued as:-

i) the support I got through VWAF members :beerchug:...

ii) the phone support given by Apole & Die Tryin' :beerchug:...

iii) the online support of Sparker :beerchug:...

iv) I had ploughed so much £££ I had no option IMO of continuing :o ...

I must say very big thank you to all who have contributed to the many threads that I have used as their efforts have helped me and will help others...

Some may think certain stuff I've done on car is easy but I'm a papershuffler not a mechanic!

Regards
G