Help with VW California electrics

B

Bikes&Vans

VIP Member
Messages
3
Location
Surrey
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 150
Hi

Can anyone help me understand why I’m seeing 0h on the attached pic of the display? I have a 2024 Cali Ocean with solar (not fitted by me so still working it out).

I’ve been using it for the last 4 days with no EHU and all the electrics seem to be working fine.

The display has shown 0h at the start and end of the trip.

IMG_1949.jpeg
 
I recently also installed solar on my 6.1 ocean Since then, the figures for the hours have been inexplicable sometimes. The software does not know how to handle the current flow of the solar panels. The voltage, current, and visual display of the battery status however are in order.
 
Thanks for replying Roger. Reassuring that everything else looks about right. I’ve had the van 6 months and initially the hours looked about right (>60). I might put it on EHU and see what happens.
 
Thanks for replying Roger. Reassuring that everything else looks about right. I’ve had the van 6 months and initially the hours looked about right (>60). I might put it on EHU and see what happens.
The cali knows only 3 situations : charging via EHU , charging via alternator and discharging.
The display gives estimation of usable capacity left in battery in Ah if you multiply time and current shown. If not on EHU and not using alternator the software gets confused by solar current and cannot keep track of capacity used/left in battery.
 
Hi

Can anyone help me understand why I’m seeing 0h on the attached pic of the display? I have a 2024 Cali Ocean with solar (not fitted by me so still working it out).

I’ve been using it for the last 4 days with no EHU and all the electrics seem to be working fine.

The display has shown 0h at the start and end of the trip.

View attachment 146184
You have all the bars and 12.9V indicating that the batteries are full, so I guess it's just the solar input causing the 0hrs time display. I'd ignore it and work off the voltage and bars.
 
Thanks for all the expert advice. Real useful to understand the voltage as well as the hours.
 
The cali knows only 3 situations : charging via EHU , charging via alternator and discharging.
The display gives estimation of usable capacity left in battery in Ah if you multiply time and current shown. If not on EHU and not using alternator the software gets confused by solar current and cannot keep track of capacity used/left in battery.
Could the failure to register solar charge be down to wiring the panel negative to the battery terminal rather than the chassis terminal in the rear battery compartment? The latter configuration causes solar current to pass through the shunt which measures charging. My panel charge registers on the display.
 
I recently also installed solar on my 6.1 ocean Since then, the figures for the hours have been inexplicable sometimes. The software does not know how to handle the current flow of the solar panels. The voltage, current, and visual display of the battery status however are in order.
If I remember right the console needs solar to be connected to chassis earth to work correctly - assume you did this? Mine has never had an issue, likely the same setup.

Edit - read up, as @Quiddle said
 
Could the failure to register solar charge be down to wiring the panel negative to the battery terminal rather than the chassis terminal in the rear battery compartment? The latter configuration causes solar current to pass through the shunt which measures charging. My panel charge registers on the display.
The control panel registers the solar charging current, but in the calculation for the remaining capacity, I think it is apparently incorrectly interpreted as a discharge current.
 
So has anyone plugged in a Carista module when they have a solar panel fitted and checked the faults if any ??
 
So has anyone plugged in a Carista module when they have a solar panel fitted and checked the faults if any ??
I do t believe the domestic electric/charging system has any CANbus connection or any need to report a fault?
 
Hi are we sure of that ?
Nope. The main display is certainly connected to CAN but I’m not sure it’ll be interested in leisure battery charger with regards to fault logging? Doubtless I’ll be proved wrong when someone spends half their day Googling AI to find an argument.
 
LOL, I have the van currently booked in at the Birmingham Van centre as I have experienced some issues lately.
this includes the DAB arial having a ground fault, the wipers rain sensor throwing a fault on the head unit, followed by a fault to the Adaptive cruise control sensor: Limited visibility about a week later that all cleared themselves apart from the DAB. When I plugged my Carisa in there is a lot of recorded faults see below and wanted to confirm that the solar is not causing any of them !!!!!

CAN network gateway:
U10E100 - Emergency call module: no communication
Freeze frame :
Priority: 2
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 116
Odometer reading: 24237.2 miles
Date: 06 Mar 2026 14:40:07
Terminal 30 power supply: 12.2 V
Terminal 15: off

B1802F1 - NV-Energy management: Alarm triggered
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 139
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 06 Apr 2026 10:32:34
Terminal 30 power supply: 11.1 V
Terminal 15: on


Instrument cluster:
B104B31 - Key: No signal
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 2
Unlearning counter: 255
Odometer reading: 24029 miles
Date: 26 Feb 2026 11:58:23

B104C29 - Vehicle keys: implausible signal
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 4
Unlearning counter: 255
Odometer reading: 24029 miles
Date: 26 Feb 2026 11:58:24

U111000 - Function restriction due to communication interruption
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 35
Unlearning counter: 146
Odometer reading: 23842 miles
Date: 21 Feb 2026 12:59:34


Infotainment system:
B110311 - Digital radio antenna 1: Short circuit to Ground (GND)
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 40
Odometer reading: 23833.3 miles
Date: 20 Feb 2026 16:18:10

B10CD00 - Function limitation due to energy management
Freeze frame :
Priority: 9
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 30
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 06 Apr 2026 08:13:15
Voltage terminal 30: 11.4 V

B110231 - Rearview camera: No signal
Freeze frame :
Priority: 3
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 11
Odometer reading: 24305.5 miles
Date: 13 Mar 2026 15:25:34
Voltage terminal 30: 13.2 V


Heater & air conditioning:
B10CD00 - Function limitation due to energy management
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 139
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 06 Apr 2026 10:33:17


Central electronics:
B1A74F1 - Child safety/Safe sliding door rear driver side: Implausible signal
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 2
Unlearning counter: 145
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 04 Apr 2026 20:17:36
Terminal 15 status: off
Terminal 50 status: off
Voltage: 0.4 V
Outside temperature: -50 °C
Status Bremslichtschalter (HW): on
Status Bremslichtschalter (CAN): off
off: not operated
Position lamps: not operated
Automatic high beam assist: not operated
Low beam: not operated
Parking light left: not operated
Parking light right: not operated
Stoerschutzzaehler: 4
Terminal 15 status: off
Terminal 50 status: on
Status Bremslichtschalter (HW): on
Status Bremslichtschalter (CAN): on

B1A74F0 - Child safety/Safe sliding door rear driver side: Electrical malfunction in circuit
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 2
Unlearning counter: 145
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 04 Apr 2026 20:17:36
Terminal 15 status: off
Terminal 50 status: off
Voltage: 0.4 V
Outside temperature: -50 °C
Status Bremslichtschalter (HW): on
Status Bremslichtschalter (CAN): off
off: not operated
Position lamps: not operated
Automatic high beam assist: not operated
Low beam: not operated
Parking light left: not operated
Parking light right: not operated
Stoerschutzzaehler: 4
Terminal 15 status: on
Terminal 50 status: on
Status Bremslichtschalter (HW): on
Status Bremslichtschalter (CAN): on


Adaptive cruise control:
U140000 - Function restriction: due to low voltage
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 139
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 06 Apr 2026 10:33:46

C110BF0 - Adaptive cruise control sensor: Limited visibility
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 130
Odometer reading: 24441 miles
Date: 25 Mar 2026 15:33:04


Telematics:
B1915F1 - Online services: Function temporarily restricted due to battery budget
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 8
Unlearning counter: 31
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 05 Apr 2026 13:35:58


Additional functions:
B1A5000 - Energy management parallel warning triggered
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 52
Odometer reading: 23833.3 miles
Date: 20 Feb 2026 16:19:47

U110100 - Component protection active
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 138
Odometer reading: 24553.5 miles

I think my battery or alternator may be on the way out ??
 
Last edited:
So has anyone plugged in a Carista module when they have a solar panel fitted and checked the faults if any ??
Yes, I have. No issues at all. Had 2 solar panels connected for over 2 years. Overhead Display has always been correct as far as I can tell what’s correct based on what’s shown. No issues shown on Carista and I’ve used Carista multiple times. Now added lithium batteries and I can see that the voltages on the OHD and in the Titan app are identical. Time left is reasonably similar.
 
LOL, I have the van currently booked in at the Birmingham Van centre as I have experienced some issues lately.
this includes the DAB arial having a ground fault, the wipers rain sensor throwing a fault on the head unit, followed by a fault to the Adaptive cruise control sensor: Limited visibility about a week later that all cleared themselves apart from the DAB. When I plugged my Carisa in there is a lot of recorded faults see below and wanted to confirm that the solar is not causing any of them !!!!!

CAN network gateway:
U10E100 - Emergency call module: no communication
Freeze frame :
Priority: 2
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 116
Odometer reading: 24237.2 miles
Date: 06 Mar 2026 14:40:07
Terminal 30 power supply: 12.2 V
Terminal 15: off

B1802F1 - NV-Energy management: Alarm triggered
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 139
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 06 Apr 2026 10:32:34
Terminal 30 power supply: 11.1 V
Terminal 15: on


Instrument cluster:
B104B31 - Key: No signal
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 2
Unlearning counter: 255
Odometer reading: 24029 miles
Date: 26 Feb 2026 11:58:23

B104C29 - Vehicle keys: implausible signal
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 4
Unlearning counter: 255
Odometer reading: 24029 miles
Date: 26 Feb 2026 11:58:24

U111000 - Function restriction due to communication interruption
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 35
Unlearning counter: 146
Odometer reading: 23842 miles
Date: 21 Feb 2026 12:59:34


Infotainment system:
B110311 - Digital radio antenna 1: Short circuit to Ground (GND)
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 40
Odometer reading: 23833.3 miles
Date: 20 Feb 2026 16:18:10

B10CD00 - Function limitation due to energy management
Freeze frame :
Priority: 9
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 30
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 06 Apr 2026 08:13:15
Voltage terminal 30: 11.4 V

B110231 - Rearview camera: No signal
Freeze frame :
Priority: 3
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 11
Odometer reading: 24305.5 miles
Date: 13 Mar 2026 15:25:34
Voltage terminal 30: 13.2 V


Heater & air conditioning:
B10CD00 - Function limitation due to energy management
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 139
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 06 Apr 2026 10:33:17


Central electronics:
B1A74F1 - Child safety/Safe sliding door rear driver side: Implausible signal
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 2
Unlearning counter: 145
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 04 Apr 2026 20:17:36
Terminal 15 status: off
Terminal 50 status: off
Voltage: 0.4 V
Outside temperature: -50 °C
Status Bremslichtschalter (HW): on
Status Bremslichtschalter (CAN): off
off: not operated
Position lamps: not operated
Automatic high beam assist: not operated
Low beam: not operated
Parking light left: not operated
Parking light right: not operated
Stoerschutzzaehler: 4
Terminal 15 status: off
Terminal 50 status: on
Status Bremslichtschalter (HW): on
Status Bremslichtschalter (CAN): on

B1A74F0 - Child safety/Safe sliding door rear driver side: Electrical malfunction in circuit
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 2
Unlearning counter: 145
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 04 Apr 2026 20:17:36
Terminal 15 status: off
Terminal 50 status: off
Voltage: 0.4 V
Outside temperature: -50 °C
Status Bremslichtschalter (HW): on
Status Bremslichtschalter (CAN): off
off: not operated
Position lamps: not operated
Automatic high beam assist: not operated
Low beam: not operated
Parking light left: not operated
Parking light right: not operated
Stoerschutzzaehler: 4
Terminal 15 status: on
Terminal 50 status: on
Status Bremslichtschalter (HW): on
Status Bremslichtschalter (CAN): on


Adaptive cruise control:
U140000 - Function restriction: due to low voltage
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 139
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 06 Apr 2026 10:33:46

C110BF0 - Adaptive cruise control sensor: Limited visibility
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 130
Odometer reading: 24441 miles
Date: 25 Mar 2026 15:33:04


Telematics:
B1915F1 - Online services: Function temporarily restricted due to battery budget
Freeze frame :
Priority: 6
Malfunction frequency counter: 8
Unlearning counter: 31
Odometer reading: 24572.7 miles
Date: 05 Apr 2026 13:35:58


Additional functions:
B1A5000 - Energy management parallel warning triggered
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 52
Odometer reading: 23833.3 miles
Date: 20 Feb 2026 16:19:47

U110100 - Component protection active
Freeze frame :
Priority: 4
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 138
Odometer reading: 24553.5 miles

I think my battery or alternator may be on the way out ??
The easiest way to convince yourself that the Solar is not responsible is to do what VW will do.
Clear ALL diagnostic codes and then go for a drive and then re-check with Carista.
 
lol yes I don’t think it is the solar as it’s just a battery charger. But i am getting ready for when they suggest it might be!!
 
Vast majority of those faults appear to be battery/low voltage related.
 
Vast majority of those faults appear to be battery/low voltage related.
I agree with @sidepod - the vast majority of these faults can be caused by low voltage and when the voltage is shown it tends to be low, but remembering these are all base van features, so this is starter battery voltage dropping, not leisure. Your usage profile (mileage is clearly very low) is also a potential contributor to not having fully charged batteries when it is parked up, doesn’t mean that is the prime cause.

It depends on the setup but the Solar may or may not support the starter battery

It might be that you have an underlying electrical drain on the vehicle that is pulling more power than you can put in, or something is causing a constant wake-up on the vehicle.

If the solar has been added in recently it might be the cause due to incorrect wiring and what it connects into. Equally if it has been fitted for a long time, it is always worth checking the connections haven't come loose or worn insulation. I would absolutely check the earth connection, esp if a factory earth has been removed and an extra connection added with a generic metal ring, check the fixing, make sure none of the wires have been twisted when tightened. If it wasn't a factory earth, then is it a good connection and not just a random fixing.

If the van is still under warranty, then to avoid all doubt, I would take photos of all the solar connections and disconnect them from the van before getting them to review.

Do not clear the error codes before going to dealer, whilst generic diagnostic tools will pull out all the codes and list them, modern dealer tools will do pattern matching, sequence the faults (mileage/time) and look at groups of faults and give a likely cause. This won't be for all faults but common patterns will be.

A
 
Last edited:
I agree with @sidepod - the vast majority of these faults can be caused by low voltage and when the voltage is shown it tends to be low, but remembering these are all base van features, so this is starter battery voltage dropping, not leisure. Your usage profile (mileage is clearly very low) is also a potential contributor to not having fully charged batteries when it is parked up, doesn’t mean that is the prime cause.

It depends on the setup but the Solar may or may not support the starter battery

It might be that you have an underlying electrical drain on the vehicle that is pulling more power than you can put in, or something is causing a constant wake-up on the vehicle.

If the solar has been added in recently it might be the cause due to incorrect wiring and what it connects into. Equally if it has been fitted for a long time, it is always worth checking the connections haven't come loose or worn insulation. I would absolutely check the earth connection, esp if a factory earth has been removed and an extra connection added with a generic metal ring, check the fixing, make sure none of the wires have been twisted when tightened. If it wasn't a factory earth, then is it a good connection and not just a random fixing.

If the van is still under warranty, then to avoid all doubt, I would take photos of all the solar connections and disconnect them from the van before getting them to review.

Do not clear the error codes before going to dealer, whilst generic diagnostic tools will pull out all the codes and list them, modern dealer tools will do pattern matching, sequence the faults (mileage/time) and look at groups of faults and give a likely cause. This won't be for all faults but common patterns will be.

A
Hi A, many thanks for the reply.

The solar is a single 100w on the roof connected through a Vitron MPPT, connected to the leisure batteries + to the battery terminal and the - to the battery restraining bracket bolt and the leisure batteries are all ok and constantly topped off to full by the solar when the sun shines.

Looking at the faults the DAB radio seems the only one that is not related to low starter battery voltage ? so i assume that is because I am not driving the van as regularly as I was and the van is turning things off to protect the battery?

I just wanted to make sure i dont need to remove the solar before I put the van in to the dealers for repair as the BVC can be a bit funny with warranty's !!

regards Terry
 
Not easy to tell from the DAB fault code. It says short to gnd.
Have you looked at the wiring scheme to see if it has a power supply or if it’s just a crappy non powered antenna?
It could be either the signal wire or the power supply that’s shorted.
If the later, then this could be draining the battery?
 
IMG_8146.jpeg
I’d say from this it’s not powered. It’s hosed in the rh mirror so should be easy to access and check for issues at that end.
 
Well as an update the van has been in and looked at and the rain sensor is knackered and to be replaced under warranty
the DAB aerial is knackered but was automatically refused under warranty so is being challenged by the dealers.
and all the other issues were all ok, so all in all a good day at Birmingham Van centre. They also stated that as the tracking was out along with the steering wheel of that this could have caused the front sensor issue....
Just need to get the new parts fitted now..
 

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