Changing the auxilliary battery

[askg]

Hi all,
My auxiliary battery has stopped functioning. I can see that I have to remove the drivers seat to get access to it (left hand drive T5 California). Is this a job that a novice mechanic can undertake or should I seek expert assistance, ie take it to a garage. I can image getting the seat back in could be tricky, seeing how little space there is.
Thank you for any advice.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi all,
My auxiliary battery has stopped functioning. I can see that I have to remove the drivers seat to get access to it (left hand drive T5 California). Is this a job that a novice mechanic can undertake or should I seek expert assistance, ie take it to a garage. I can image getting the seat back in could be tricky, seeing how little space there is.
Thank you for any advice.

Not difficult. The seat is secured to the sliding rails by 4 nuts/ bolts, one at the front one at the back each side.
Undo and lean seat forward onto steering wheel. If you have heated seats there will be 2 wiring looms with plugs to disconnect. If you don't have heated seats just one.
Unplug and lift seat out.DO NOT SWITCH ON IGNITION UNTIL YOU HAVE RECONNECTED PLUGS otherwise you get an Airbag warning light that can only be extinguished by VW computer or an OBD device.
Remove rubber cover of battery and replace.
Refit plugs and seat . Done.

What year is your vehicle?
If you have a California SE, with kitchen built in etc: then you have 2 x Leisure batteries and the 2nd battery is below the rear wardrobe. Both batteries should be replaced.

NB if you do have 2 batteries when disconnecting the red lead on either battery insulate the lead with a rubber glove or similar as the 2 batteries are wired in parallel and the red lead will be live as it is connected to 2nd battery.

 

[Sad]

What year is your vehicle?
If you have a California SE, with kitchen built in etc: then you have 2 x Leisure batteries and the 2nd battery is below the rear wardrobe. Both batteries should be replaced.