T7 battery management update

[PK1958]

I have left my Ocean diesel for a week and just checked. The vehicle battery is still full and leisure showing 70%. I have had the software update and turned off keyless entry.

 

[Toneb]

It seems this relates to issue in this thread .....
I hooked up my T7 Cali Ocean (diesel) today as both batteries were a little depleted. Checked some hours in and it had charged them but not quite completely - so left for a few more hours. When I went back the display by the rear door said that the 2nd batt was at 5V and a notification said "the campsite power supply is currently unavailable".
The mains from that socket is fine and unless he cable has developed a fault while being hooked up that is fine too.
The circuit breaker had not been activated.
Now I had an issue which required VW breakdown to come and start the van some months back as the vehicle battery was completely depleted (had to use manual key to get in) after 3 weeks unmoving.
Presumably I have to contact the dealer ... but it's 200miles away!

 

[Toneb]

So am I correct in thinking the new software patch has fixed this problem?
I may have missed it - but didn't see an affirmative on that.
I have my Ocean booked in for next monday.

 

[Jerrywho]

It seems this relates to issue in this thread .....
I hooked up my T7 Cali Ocean (diesel) today as both batteries were a little depleted. Checked some hours in and it had charged them but not quite completely - so left for a few more hours. When I went back the display by the rear door said that the 2nd batt was at 5V and a notification said "the campsite power supply is currently unavailable".
The mains from that socket is fine and unless he cable has developed a fault while being hooked up that is fine too.
The circuit breaker had not been activated.
Now I had an issue which required VW breakdown to come and start the van some months back as the vehicle battery was completely depleted (had to use manual key to get in) after 3 weeks unmoving.
Presumably I have to contact the dealer ... but it's 200miles away!

I need to activate the circuit breaker in order to charge the leisure battery; otherwise it does not charge; I already experienced that That was confirmed by the dealer

 

[Toneb]

I need to activate the circuit breaker in order to charge the leisure battery; otherwise it does not charge; I already experienced that That was confirmed by the dealer

I'm still waiting on VW to come up with an answer to this problem. Been over 2 weeks now since the dealer sent a technical report to them. Does any one know what the issue is, as it seem some have had a successful update done?

 

[sticky1]

I'm still waiting on VW to come up with an answer to this problem. Been over 2 weeks now since the dealer sent a technical report to them. Does any one know what the issue is, as it seem some have had a successful update done?

I’m not sure I understand the question;
Are you asking if the leisure batteries only charge when you turn on the circuit breaker in the rear cupboard, as that seems to be normal behaviour.

 

[Toneb]

I’m not sure I understand the question;
Are you asking if the leisure batteries only charge when you turn on the circuit breaker in the rear cupboard, as that seems to be normal behaviour.

I took my T7 Cali Ocean diesel to a local dealer ( well now it’s just a van centre) in Lincoln to investigate the issue of it depleting the leisure battery completely (as reported by the console) on electric hook-up. (Charged to around 70% then exhausted it to 0v ). It then did not recognise the EHU at all and now when starting. (it’s a stop/start, so this happens numerous times on a journey) it notifies that the EHU is still attached. So basically the thing is useless as a campervan. It also depleted the car and leisure batteries while immobile in 3 weeks on one occasion.

 

[sticky1]

I took my T7 Cali Ocean diesel to a local dealer ( well now it’s just a van centre) in Lincoln to investigate the issue of it depleting the leisure battery completely (as reported by the console) on electric hook-up. (Charged to around 70% then exhausted it to 0v ). It then did not recognise the EHU at all and now when starting. (it’s a stop/start, so this happens numerous times on a journey) it notifies that the EHU is still attached. So basically the thing is useless as a campervan. It also depleted the car and leisure batteries while immobile in 3 weeks on one occasion.

That’s very disappointing.
It sounds like you have the fault lots of others are suffering from.
I think I’d get the garage to commit to the recall that others are having applied.

 

[Toneb]

That’s very disappointing.
It sounds like you have the fault lots of others are suffering from.
I think I’d get the garage to commit to the recall that others are having applied.

That’s my beef with VW.
If lots of other people are suffering from it then why can they still not fix it!
I mean the dealer said they could not complete the recall.
The download would not take on the van.
And now I’m in the third week without its use.
There was a great week of weather in the Lakes that I missed.
Confounding.

 

[sticky1]

I don’t know how you are staying so calm.
If the garage cannot apply a software update let alone support getting all recalls approved and fitted.
I think it maybe worth looking at getting the vehicle to another VW dealer who have a better workshop manager.

Should we start naming and shaming dealers?
Does anyone know who the limited number of California dealers are likely to be?

 

[Toneb]

I don’t know how you are staying so calm.
If the garage cannot apply a software update let alone support getting all recalls approved and fitted.
I think it maybe worth looking at getting the vehicle to another VW dealer who have a better workshop manager.

Should we start naming and shaming dealers?
Does anyone know who the limited number of California dealers are likely to be?

I'm not calm now that it's dawned on me that the deaer can't be arsed to try beyond the once. The dealer I bought from (Crawley) said it does take ages (they'd done 2) and persistence to do and to contact VW customer care and they will give the Lincoln van centre some prods!
I've done that.

 

[Martin77]

I don’t know how you are staying so calm.
If the garage cannot apply a software update let alone support getting all recalls approved and fitted.
I think it maybe worth looking at getting the vehicle to another VW dealer who have a better workshop manager.

Should we start naming and shaming dealers?
Does anyone know who the limited number of California dealers are likely to be?

Bought a new T7 last weekend and asked the dealer about the issue. They told me updating to version 2650 is a total disaster. It’s a very large update that can take up to seven hours to complete if everything goes smoothly. But it often takes several tries, having to start over again. Doesn’t sound like it’s the dealers fault, but VW’s

 

[Toneb]

"I think it maybe worth looking at getting the vehicle to another VW dealer who have a better workshop manager."

Seems so as VW customer care have said that he had not in fact sent off the technical report (having consulted the technician concerned) - so the last 2+ weeks were a waste.
Now it seems it may be a control module at fault.
No - you just have to try again.
And I may have to try another VW workshop.

 

[beczkarz]

I took my T7 Cali Ocean diesel to a local dealer ( well now it’s just a van centre) in Lincoln to investigate the issue of it depleting the leisure battery completely (as reported by the console) on electric hook-up. (Charged to around 70% then exhausted it to 0v ). It then did not recognise the EHU at all and now when starting. (it’s a stop/start, so this happens numerous times on a journey) it notifies that the EHU is still attached. So basically the thing is useless as a campervan. It also depleted the car and leisure batteries while immobile in 3 weeks on one occasion.

Toneb - I am having exactly the same issues.

1. one is with external cable alarm that is alarming to be plugged in (even though it is not).
It was very well described here: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...vw-new-california-t7.57626/page-9#post-755215
VW dealer just make a SW reset and this is temporarily fixed. Not the root cause.
I guess noone is doing any deep dive analysis when the SW reset solves the issue.
This migth be the main problem.

2. second issue is that the second (leisure) battery got completely drained out to 0% after 3 x weeks of not using a car at all. I have service appointment on 23 of October.
When talked to the service on the phone - they are not aware of any issue.
So it seems that there is no common knowledge disctribution among VW and dealers.

Just to let You know that my SW is completly different (higher?) 2768.
So the issue still exist in this SW.

 

[Dodge1311]

VW called me today to ask me to book my California in for a recall for battery management issues. I never actually had any battery issues and already had the software update a couple of weeks ago. I asked them if this recall was different to the one that was already done and they emailed me back.

“Dear Roger

Thank you for speaking to me today. I have spoken to Mark, the Service Manager at the Retailer, and he has confirmed your update was completed.

I will now close the case.

Thank you.

 

[Toneb]

Toneb - I am having exactly the same issues.

1. one is with external cable alarm that is alarming to be plugged in (even though it is not).
It was very well described here: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...vw-new-california-t7.57626/page-9#post-755215
VW dealer just make a SW reset and this is temporarily fixed. Not the root cause.
I guess noone is doing any deep dive analysis when the SW reset solves the issue.
This migth be the main problem.

2. second issue is that the second (leisure) battery got completely drained out to 0% after 3 x weeks of not using a car at all. I have service appointment on 23 of October.
When talked to the service on the phone - they are not aware of any issue.
So it seems that there is no common knowledge disctribution among VW and dealers.

Just to let You know that my SW is completly different (higher?) 2768.
So the issue still exist in this SW.

View attachment 141295

VW customer support got in touch with the VW van centre and reported back that they did not send VW a tech report (as the manager had told me they would) and the tech who worked on my van decided that it was the van's control module that was not allowing the newer SW to upload and they wre trying to source a replacement. Next week it will have been a month since my initial visit to have the problem sorted. I rang around other dealers and 2 said that it was an issue with the control cpu and once replaced the upload took. They did not say that the SW was still faulty on those vans. I wonder if those still having problems after a supposed update have a faulty cpu as well ? I will start rattling cages next week. A month without a curtesy call to report any progress is unacceptable.

 

[nickyboy83]

So, my van goes in on Monday for the recall and the main issue being that the leisure battery is not charging when driving. I was fully under the impression this would be covered under warranty but the check-in process states repair costs of £192. Before I go guns blazing..is this reasonable. Should it be FOC? Appreciate any advice as I’m new to dealing with these main dealers.

 

[Toneb]

So, my van goes in on Monday for the recall and the main issue being that the leisure battery is not charging when driving. I was fully under the impression this would be covered under warranty but the check-in process states repair costs of £192. Before I go guns blazing..is this reasonable. Should it be FOC? Appreciate any advice as I’m new to dealing with these main dealers.

View attachment 141752

Yes, it deffo is free (as any reasonable person would expect). Had mine done yesterday FOC.

 

[nickyboy83]

Yes, it deffo is free (as any reasonable person would expect). Had mine done yesterday FOC.

Thanks Toneb good to know. Was your in for the update or did you have same issue as me. (battery not charging via the engine but ok on hookup)? Will give them a call tomorrow to clarify

 

[Toneb]

Thanks Toneb good to know. Was your in for the update or did you have same issue as me. (battery not charging via the engine but ok on hookup)? Will give them a call tomorrow to clarify

No, there seems to be range of issues around the battery management. I suspect it is an issue with the ecu as well as the SW. I have been told by 2 other dealers that they needed to replace it before the update would upload. Mine depleted all batteries within 3 weeks while just standing and eventually decided that it was not hooked up to the charging cable (on the back monitor screen) and at the same time bonging a notification every time the engine engaged that it was still hooked up!

 

[nickyboy83]

No, there seems to be range of issues around the battery management. I suspect it is an issue with the ecu as well as the SW. I have been told by 2 other dealers that they needed to replace it before the update would upload. Mine depleted all batteries within 3 weeks while just standing and eventually decided that it was not hooked up to the charging cable (on the back monitor screen) and at the same time bonging a notification every time the engine engaged that it was still hooked up!

Thanks again. I’ll drop it off on Monday, expecting it to be with them for a few days. I’m ok with the fact I’ll be without the van for a while as it seems a complicated issue but the suggestion of repair charges to the customer are alarming. The fact that they want to charge £35 a day for a courtesy car was also a red flag and not the level of service I was expecting.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks again. I’ll drop it off on Monday, expecting it to be with them for a few days. I’m ok with the fact I’ll be without the van for a while as it seems a complicated issue but the suggestion of repair charges to the customer are alarming. The fact that they want to charge £35 a day for a courtesy car was also a red flag and not the level of service I was expecting.

With my former Dealership they supplied a courtesy car with only 3rd party insurance. You paid to have Fully Comp. But most Comprehensive Insurance policies provide full cover for a courtesy vehicle while your car is in for a service or repairs. They just took a photocopy of Insurance and No charge.

As far as the Diagnostic Charge, it's standard practice, you present vehicle with a problem , the garage does a Diagnostic, if a warranty claim then No Charge. If not then if you have the repair done by garage then costed into repair, often they charge nothing or reduced charge. If you elect to have repairs elsewhere then Full Charge.
My Dealership never billed for Diagnostic if they did the repair.

 

[Toneb]

Thanks again. I’ll drop it off on Monday, expecting it to be with them for a few days. I’m ok with the fact I’ll be without the van for a while as it seems a complicated issue but the suggestion of repair charges to the customer are alarming. The fact that they want to charge £35 a day for a courtesy car was also a red flag and not the level of service I was expecting.

Get in touch with VW customer care - they will rattle the dealer,s cage.
0800 333 666 or email customerservices@volkswagen.co.uk

 

[nickyboy83]

Thanks for your help, makes sense. I rang them up this morning and confirmed this is the case that no charge if it’s a warranty claim. Will check my insurance documents now.

 

[nickyboy83]

Get in touch with VW customer care - they will rattle the dealer,s cage.
0800 333 666 or email customerservices@volkswagen.co.uk

Perfect, good advice!