Hi everyone, just wanted to share a quick win regarding that annoying "SOS battery: see workshop" error I had on my T6.1 back in January. After a bit of digging, I found the SOS module uses its own backup battery (3G0915089) for emergencies, and while it’s not an MOT failure, that constant ping every time you turn the key is a total head-wrecker. I initially looked into a replacement, but the lead times at VW are massive right now and it usually requires coding anyway. I plugged in my OBDeleven and saw codes saying the battery had "failed," yet the live data showed it actually had 90% capacity. It seems the software just decides it's "timed out" even when the hardware is fine. Clearing the codes didn't work— they just popped back up instantly—so I used the OBDeleven to reset the battery memory (basically tricking it into thinking a new one was fitted). The light cleared immediately and hasn't come back since! If your reader shows the battery health is actually decent despite the error, definitely give the memory reset a go before joining a long waiting list for a new part. Cheers, Alex Swampy!
SOS - See workshop resolved
- Thread starter Alex swampy
- Start date
thundertel
New Member
HI,
I've got the same problem and saw Google bought up a Reddit post on the ID3 which said software was doing the same. I cant find the option to get into the backupbattery on my Ancel VD700 so guess I should have bought an OBD11 ! Is yours the basic (free) device or have you got the Pro plan?
I did find this link on resetting with VCDS which may help some of you SOS fault ! Fixed T6.1 | Facebook
Hey - so i have an ob11 with the pro plan, the pro plans pretty much just allow you to manually make changes rather than using the like "preset codes"
Can I confirm that the SOS battery issue started after the software update?
I wonder if I'm better not doing the 2G/3G update on my T6.1 if it will cause the battery problem.
Can you say exactly which parameter/control unit did you change?
I do not have Facebook so the link in the next post is no good for me.
Thanks
Yes it happened when the car updated. There is quite a bit of info about it on the id3 forums.
I haven’t had it happen on my t6.1 yet but hopefully I will be able to reset it in the same way, will certainly try it first anyway before approaching vw
Hey - So to check the battery level State live data, Plug in the OB11 - Give it a scan - then open up module 75 ( telematics). Once in there just use the search bar at the top and type in like "Battery" and you will get Backup_Battery-SoH.
Then you will be able to see the actual live parameters.
So for mine, the battery was showing a 90% battery health and was fine.
I then just "used basic settings" - "Resetting the history of the emergency call battery" - Ran that.
Then did a normal Fault clear and it still seems to have worked.
Im not a sparky/diagnostics specialist but id imagine it is triggered but voltage drop or something along thoses lines, and as a safety procaution id imagin the data reguarding the battery state is stored in the telematics module so just retriggers if it is not reset before clearing? Maybe someone with better understanding could explain the actual protocols but that appears to have worked for me
Then you will be able to see the actual live parameters.
So for mine, the battery was showing a 90% battery health and was fine.
I then just "used basic settings" - "Resetting the history of the emergency call battery" - Ran that.
Then did a normal Fault clear and it still seems to have worked.
Im not a sparky/diagnostics specialist but id imagine it is triggered but voltage drop or something along thoses lines, and as a safety procaution id imagin the data reguarding the battery state is stored in the telematics module so just retriggers if it is not reset before clearing? Maybe someone with better understanding could explain the actual protocols but that appears to have worked for me
This happened prior to the update for me, im updated since and no issues
Perfect, thanks!
Im updated, no issues before and none after.
My software would be the same as everyone else's. The only thing I can think of is that my van livesmon a maintenance charger when not in use so suffer no voltage drop issues that might upset things.
shayhurst56
New Member
I have just started getting this on my 2021 T6.1. I have contacted VW directly and they advised me there was a SW update to clear this message which is flagged as due on my van. Problem is the 'over the air' updates are not supported on my van so VW pointed me back to my dealer who had no idea how to force the update even though VW supplied them with the TPI reference to fix this. Extremely annoying as my dealer wants to charge me £140 to diagnose what is an known issue? This is now very pressing as I want to change the van and don't want to do it with this error hanging around. Is it worth me buying an OBD device?
Honestly I'd say an obd is a pretty useful device for anyone with a t6/t6.1 (i believe a 2021 will be fine with an obd2) - regarding the automatic updates, make sure that your logged into weconnect on your app and that you have location sharing enabled? If that's all working it should have the update current enough for the over the air updates. SoS modules and some critical safety things need physical updating though I beleive
shayhurst56
New Member
So I managed to get my local garage to reset the battery memory and the error message has cleared, big thanks for the tip! It was cheaper than buying the OBD and as I am about to change the van decided not to buy one. However I had to disconnect the battery for other reasons and I had a host of errors, most have which cleared over time. Two persistant ones, admittedly only driven the van 30 miles, are 'front assist unavailable' and 'start stop unavailable'.
The diagnostic showed no communication with ACC control unit. Possibly fuse related?
karl.brad81
Member
Does anyone know if you can use carista to reset battery health etc? I can see a fault saying the telematics battery is flat but when I clear it, it comes back.
I bought carista because it connects to my obd I already own. OBDeleven wouldn’t connect to my dongle.
I disconnected the back up battery earlier hoping it might clear itself but I’ve still got the warning on.
I’m going to order a battery anyway.
I bought carista because it connects to my obd I already own. OBDeleven wouldn’t connect to my dongle.
I disconnected the back up battery earlier hoping it might clear itself but I’ve still got the warning on.
I’m going to order a battery anyway.
Get solution to this issue with VCDS as provided in the
Thanks very much for the VCDS link, worked like a charm, literally took 20 seconds.
Hi Alex, I have the sos battery issue, got myself the obdeleven pro plan and have tried to follow your instructions to clear the fault. Trouble is i dont see a search option in telematics so cant get to the Backup_Battery-SoH or the next step, "used basic settings" - "Resetting the history of the emergency call battery". Am I missing something? Would appreciate some help on this cos its driving me mad
