Disconnecting the battery when going on holiday

[mopardave]

Gents.......a pal of mine is going away for 6 weeks over christmas/new year. He too drives a T6 but it's his work vehicle and he's not the kind of guy to lurk on forums! Anyhow, he asked my opinion about disconnecting the battery and leaving it inside the house so it won't be dead when he gets home in January. I think it's a good idea because it's odds on that it will be flat or even totally goosed......at least this way there will be no parasitic draw or being subject to freezing temperatures. The only draw back I could think of was that if it gets stolen (unlikely) or broken into, he's in effect disabled the alarm.......but it probably wouldn't work anyway after a couple of weeks. Can anyone think of a reason why it's not a good idea...........'cos I can't????
Cheers guys.
Dave

 

[Pauly]

If it’s indoors better to hook up a trickle charger in my opinion
The alarm has a backup battery that will get annoyed at some point while he’s away and will make a racket sooner or later

 

[mopardave]

If it’s indoors better to hook up a trickle charger in my opinion
The alarm has a backup battery that will get annoyed at some point while he’s away and will make a racket sooner or later

Now there's a thing Pauly........never even thought of that! No, he's leaving it outside his house so a trickle charge isn't possible. Is there a fuse that can be pulled for the alarm?

 

[manfrotto]

Now there's a thing Pauly........never even thought of that! No, he's leaving it outside his house so a trickle charge isn't possible. Is there a fuse that can be pulled for the alarm?

What about a small solar panel to trickle charge the battery while away?
I'm sure his insurance company wouldn't be too impressed if he left it with no alarm activated.

 

[Sasquatch]

Now there's a thing Pauly........never even thought of that! No, he's leaving it outside his house so a trickle charge isn't possible. Is there a fuse that can be pulled for the alarm?

There probably is, but that won't stop the back up battery getting upset.

 

[JumpShip]

Ours is a t5.1 so it may be a different alarm but I've left ours months on end with the battery disconnected with no issues.

 

[Pauly]

What about a small solar panel to trickle charge the battery while away?
I'm sure his insurance company wouldn't be too impressed if he left it with no alarm activated.

That’s what I do, small solar panel on dash plugged into cig socket and sits there fine for any period of time

 

[Dellmassive]

Only some can have the alarm with the backup fitted.

I added it as an option on my work van.

but my camper is more basic and hasn't got the updated alarm.

I think it's a package that comes with interior ultrasonic sensors, battery backup alarm siren, and sensor disable switch on the B pillar.

....

If you want to pull the starter battery, just lock the van with the bonnet open, then disconnect the battery NEG terminal and out a beer Matt over the battery terminal... Then shut the bonnet.

You're need to open the van door with the key manualy.... Driver's door on at 6 it's passenger door on a T6.1.

As for solar, if it's cloudy then forget it, it done work ... . But if it's a cold clear sky and sunny then your in!!

Your need 50w upwards for a trickle charge.

 

[Alster]

If it’s a 6.1 just make sure the key will actually unlock the door- tried mine after about a year and the key just turned and did nothing!! All sorted under warranty apparently never contacted from the factory.

 

[RobertO2023]

My 10p worth …….Avoid disconnecting the battery and use a good quality trickle charger / conditioner ie CTEK etc that will keep the electronic components at the correct voltage and give you an instant start when you return.

 

[Dellmassive]

My 10p worth …….Avoid disconnecting the battery and use a good quality trickle charger / conditioner ie CTEK etc that will keep the electronic components at the correct voltage and give you an instant start when you return.

The OP said can't get a mains supply out to the van to run a charger....... And won't be around for 6 weeks

 

[whodat]

There is a low power useage setting that the OP might be able to use. Don't know how effective it will be but it is probably what they do when the vehicle comes out of the factory and gets shipped then waits then shipped again then waits etc till it gets to the forecourts.
Might be able to trigger it with Carista / OBD

Not exactly the same as this was in the summer and only for 3 weeks - but mine started up ok when it was left for 3 weeks just parked as normal, and my battery likes to settle at about 12v/12.2v normally instead of the desirable 12.5v.

 

[Dellmassive]

There is a low power useage setting that the OP might be able to use. Don't know how effective it will be but it is probably what they do when the vehicle comes out of the factory and gets shipped then waits then shipped again then waits etc till it gets to the forecourts.
Might be able to trigger it with Carista / OBD

Not exactly the same as this was in the summer and only for 3 weeks - but mine started up ok when it was left for 3 weeks just parked as normal, and my battery likes to settle at about 12v/12.2v normally instead of the desirable 12.5v.

That low power thing is a physical loom and relay they remove at the dealership on delivery.....

So didn't think. You can activate it as such.

 

[Dellmassive]

A Google AI result for Transport mode.

VW T6 factory transport mode is a "sleep" mode that shuts down most electrical systems to conserve battery charge during shipping and storage. It is intended for use by the factory and official service centers with specialized diagnostic tools, not for manual activation or deactivation by the owner.
Symptoms of transport mode
If your VW T6 is still in transport mode, you may experience some of the following issues:
A battery voltage display on the vehicle's multi-function display (MDF).
Multiple electrical system warnings, such as for the infotainment system, tire pressure monitoring, or parking aids.
The start-stop function may not work correctly or may show an error.
Reduced power output and other drivetrain limitations.
Non-functional comfort features, such as heated mirrors.
How to deactivate factory transport mode
Disabling factory transport mode requires a professional-grade diagnostic tool, such as Ross-Tech's VCDS or the dealer-level VAS tester. Unlike some vehicles that allow for a manual reset, the VW T6 requires a workshop visit for proper deactivation.
Using a diagnostic tool (professional)
Connect the tool: Plug the diagnostic tool into the vehicle's OBD-II port.
Access the function: Navigate to the "Applications" screen within the diagnostic software and select "Transport Mode".
Deactivate: Choose the "De-Activate Transport Mode" option to wake up all the vehicle's systems.
Confirm: Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm the deactivation.
What to do if you suspect your T6 is in transport mode
Contact a dealer: This is the most reliable method for deactivating transport mode, as they have the factory-approved tools and knowledge.
Consult a specialist: An independent VW specialist with a VCDS or similar professional tool can also perform the deactivation.
Avoid DIY fixes: Many online videos demonstrate manual reset procedures for other VW models (e.g., pumping the accelerator). These will not work for the T6's factory transport mode and are not recommended.
Factory transport mode vs. economy driving mode
Transport mode is not the same as the "Eco" or "Economy" driving mode available on some T6 models.
Transport Mode: A dormant state for shipping that turns off most electronics to save the battery and must be professionally deactivated.
Economy Mode: A normal driving mode that adjusts engine and transmission parameters to maximize fuel efficiency, which can be selected and deselected by the driver.

 

[mopardave]

That's why I asked the question gents......the depth of knowledge on here never ceases to amaze me! I've just spoken to him and he told me he could park close to his garage door and if the trickle charger came with a long enough cable, he could run the cable from under the bonnet to a socket in his garage.......slightly risky I suppose but so long as the cable doesn't get disturbed, I can't see a problem with that........but then I thought disconnecting the battery was a good idea!!

 

[RobertO2023]

The OP said can't get a mains supply out to the van to run a charger....... And won't be around for 6 weeks

Fair enough

 

[DXX]

No alarm, no insurance.

 

[Bargy62]

That's why I asked the question gents......the depth of knowledge on here never ceases to amaze me! I've just spoken to him and he told me he could park close to his garage door and if the trickle charger came with a long enough cable, he could run the cable from under the bonnet to a socket in his garage.......slightly risky I suppose but so long as the cable doesn't get disturbed, I can't see a problem with that........but then I thought disconnecting the battery was a good idea!!

if the leads not long enough to reach, use an extension lead and leave to socket of the extension lead under the bonnet with the charger plug in to it