Weak batteries as the cause of electronic bugs?

Hello,

if

goettmann wrote:

The electrical systems are today significantly more sensitive than is widely assumed. The battery is the weakest part . If you continue to think about this

, electrical and electronic problems would accumulate in "modern" cars as soon as the battery reaches its prime, i.e., weakens and therefore the voltage fluctuations in the on-board network (due to constantly changing loads such as air conditioning fans, electric steering assistance, blowers, etc.) are increasingly poorly buffered.


What are your practical experiences in this regard?
Are you familiar with electronic devices or even electronic component failures that were suddenly and completely resolved by replacing the battery?
Sometimes, even when the old battery wasn't that weak, so that it could only start the engine with its last reserves?
It would also be interesting to know whether certain types of vehicles (due to the structure of their onboard network and, if applicable, their age) are more susceptible to such phenomena than others: therefore, please also specify the vehicle type and its respective age.

But if you have already replaced old batteries without them causing or triggering any noticeable electronic problems, please indicate this in the survey to help us get a rough statistical overview.

Perhaps other readers can also benefit and save on expensive new STGs (presumably referring to something like "Smart Home Gadgets" or similar), if their problems can also be solved with a relatively inexpensive new battery.

2007 Suzuki Swift DDIS: Sporadically unrecognized WFS transponder. Especially during short trips with frequent starts. After several longer trips, it would then "repair" itself for several days on its own. Since there was still a warranty, the vehicle was taken to the workshop for diagnostics. After reading out the supposedly faulty keyless entry system, the workshop's master stated: "Let's first replace the battery, then we can continue searching!" He was right with this statement. For the past 2 years, there have been no more issues with the starting system.

2006 Ford Fiesta 1.4 (Gasoline): During the starting process, accidentally turning on the dipped headlights or simply pressing the brake pedal could trigger a fault code (content: "Engine control unit: Motor supply voltage faulty, intermittent"). No further effects except for the yellow warning light that appears after a few minutes. Despite this occasional and otherwise harmless fault, the battery always started the engine. She then collapsed during the past winter.

The battery replacement came about because it stopped starting in the winter. Previously, there were no problems or unusual error messages.

A year later, I forgot to turn off the radio. After 12 hours, it was still running, but it no longer had enough power to start the car -> jump start. Everything without error messages.

Apparently, the AFN seems to be quite insensitive.

Hello everyone!

R.M. wrote:

Apparently, the AFN seems to be quite insensitive.

I can confirm: The Audi A4 "Ohrschmalz Edition" could be started even when the battery was almost completely discharged, despite the starter speed (being) significantly below 200 RPM. This is also often warm/cold.
The only thing that consistently occurred was an error in the airbag control unit with "Supply voltage - signal too low (sporadisch)", but without a MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light).
Otherwise, no issues (except for the radio that constantly needs power )

Since 2004, the T5 has been the original. Calcium-blabla-Battery (WIV) still showing no noticeable issues despite exclusively short-distance operation.

Best regards from Munich!

EDIT: In accordance with Response 2.

Not directly. Was able to fix it twice by replacing the new alternator regulator. Once on the C4, then on a Kadett E. In the Kadett, this effect could be particularly well achieved by turning on the radio to activate the headlights.

Although not a 'vag haufen', nevertheless:


A 2.5-liter VM engine with a pre-chamber diesel in a Jeep was driven for 3 days last winter (temperatures around -5 to 0°C) with a 17AH Hawker Genesis AGM battery. Everything worked perfectly. In my opinion, it's at least as good as starting with a standard 55Ah hardware store battery...


If the engine is running, the alternator must generate enough power (at least 99%) otherwise it won't work. A reasonably well-maintained engine with a good battery (and I mean a battery with a good capacity, not just the AH number) doesn't produce such large voltage fluctuations... In my '6n' I'm using a 17Ah battery (which I also used for the Jeep in the winter) for 2 years, as long as there are no long-term consumers connected, it handles it easily, even with a 35A (or was it 45A?!?) Daihatsu engine

ulf wrote:

... Are you aware of instances where defective electronics, such as those with issues, could be rapidly resolved by simply replacing the battery? ...

Would you show me a defective electronic device that can be repaired by simply replacing the battery?

Sorry, Ulf .... Your question is likely extremely confusing.

Quote:

... Maybe other readers can also benefit and save on expensive new STGs if their problems can also be solved with a relatively inexpensive new battery.

If an electronic device has a "short circuit" and is defective, then replacing the battery probably won't help.

Additionally, you will likely receive few appropriate statements, as very few people can correctly analyze an electronic defect. What you are asking here is therefore completely irrelevant.


But to answer your question:

-> Yes, I had some vehicles with batteries that were running low. Everyone showed "strange and impossible" error entries.
Golf 5 TDI 77kw ohne "Stoßdämpfer" (ich meine, es gab früher einen BKD):
Sporadically malfunctioning temperature sensor -> Engine diagnostic display - Temperature sensor replaced, same error. In the winter, the car then broke down due to a dead battery, and after that, the error never occurred again.
Multiple ABS failure in a 2005 Audi A6 -> Error log: Connector 30 voltage too low. Battery replaced - error gone. The ABS control unit "failed" approximately 6 months later "for unexplained reasons" (Analysis of the control unit was unfortunately not possible due to the replacement part).
My own G4 AXR 2001 - Multiple failures of various onboard systems, even with error messages that my car cannot understand. Interior monitoring is defective ---- I had "Interior Monitoring" listed in the Comfort STG, but I don't actually have that function. And various other "pleasantries".




Okay, I won't comment on the topic any further, as you already have all the information. That the answers don't fit your theory, because unfortunately, theory and practice often differ greatly, is something I cannot change.

Hi,
Skoda Fabia Combi from 2001, MKB = ATD (???), specifically the 74 kW PD model. The battery completely died within 5 hours, despite having approximately 150,000 km on it. No error codes are displayed, but the fault memory is also not being read out. New battery from a professional, and we continued.
haithamina

Bertil wrote:

Have you ever encountered spinning or even ulf wrote: line-by-line defective electronics that could be instantly resolved by simply replacing the battery? Can you show me a defective electronic device that can be repaired by simply replacing the battery?

No, that's actually illogical
A better translation would be: "The problem was quickly resolved by replacing the battery in electronic devices that were experiencing a sudden failure."
I have made the changes in the initial post.

Yes, there was an error entry in the winter with our Ibi 6L ATD 04, which was in the on-board diagnostic system, with too low voltage. It was deleted in May or so, and it's no longer there (I just checked). It starts up perfectly in both summer and winter. It's still the first battery. Well, let's see which STG's will be making pointless announcements next winter.
Apparently, the battery seems to still have power, but its voltage is too low for the STG's, which is causing a software issue. These salvaged batteries can still last for about 5 years, for example, in 3-series Golfs without electronics, and will continue to function reliably.

Hi,

In the last two cars, I had to replace the original battery almost exactly 3 years after purchase, because suddenly it stopped working overnight, without any prior warning. And, at least in the case of the G IV (prior to this, there was no previous error record), there were no prior error entries.

Peugeot 206 1.4 HDI (practical, but also all other 206 models with CAN-bus from 2003 onwards):

A significant drop in battery voltage during startup is noticeable as flickering lights in the KI (I believe they are all LEDs). An alarm sounds, and the "large" radio display (with BC) shows: "Battery Workshop". However, the engine still starts (yet) without problems. As a courtesy, "Energy Saving Mode" was then displayed. The rear window heater, seat heater (if present), and radio can no longer be turned on. This energy-saving mode can only be disabled using the OEM tester from .

Typically, this game can be played for quite a while, according to the experiences of . However, the battery will eventually die out suddenly. An unsuccessful initial attempt (due to insufficient starting current) can lead to... In addition, {ACTION: Disable} the WFS transponder used in the process (suspected attempt at manipulation).

My A3 always displayed "ESP malfunction - Refer to owner's manual" briefly on the display when starting the car. Battery replaced - The haunting is over.

pschaefer wrote:

My A3 would always briefly display "ESP Fault - Refer to Owner's Manual" on the instrument cluster when starting the engine. Battery replaced - The haunting is over.

Similar symptoms are also known in G VI. As a remedy, a software update will be performed on the ABS/ESP control unit.

Hi everyone,

My battery in my Audi A4, manufactured in 2007 (Germany), Quattro, has failed.

I have been experiencing flickering on the Xenon lights for the past year, and I was planning to replace the bulbs.
This flickering often occurs with this type of vehicle.
Now, with the new battery, everything is fine.
Never had an error entry, only when the battery was completely dead.

SG Christian

Hello,

If the batteries in the Touareg are weak, almost EVERYTHING on the display will light up, which could lead one to believe that the vehicle is about to break down...

This is particularly noticeable with the larger diesel engines, as both batteries are connected together for starting...

Greetings
alevuz