The time has finally come for me to replace the starter battery on my T6, but I can’t decide what to go for. I can get the Varta A5 for £147, the A6 for £129 or the Exide EK960 for £125, is it worth spending the extra and going for the Varta A5 over the others?
Upgrading Starter Battery - how to guide
- Thread starter Grim Reaper
- Start date
Here's what I've ended up doing with OBDEleven (with the OBDEleven VAG app).
The battery type was an easy change - that was a proper, named field easy spotted under the Battery Regulation Control Module called "Battery Type" and "Absorbent glass mat (AGM) battery" was just a drop down option available for me to easily change there.
The capacity, manufacturer and serial number fields weren't so easy to find though, that data wasn't in separate or named fields for me - I just ended up scrolling through the numbered channels through "long adaptations" until I spotted this at channel 4:
I assume the 070 is Ah - the MLA is for MOLL (OG battery make) and the numbers after are the serial number, so I changed that string to this:
The serial number reflecting the date the battery was changed, as others have done.
Hopefully that has done the trick - I guess I won't actually ever know.
EDIT: This is for an Exide EK960 going into a 2018 Highline (with camper conversion) 150ps T6 with start-stop.
The battery type was an easy change - that was a proper, named field easy spotted under the Battery Regulation Control Module called "Battery Type" and "Absorbent glass mat (AGM) battery" was just a drop down option available for me to easily change there.
The capacity, manufacturer and serial number fields weren't so easy to find though, that data wasn't in separate or named fields for me - I just ended up scrolling through the numbered channels through "long adaptations" until I spotted this at channel 4:
I assume the 070 is Ah - the MLA is for MOLL (OG battery make) and the numbers after are the serial number, so I changed that string to this:
The serial number reflecting the date the battery was changed, as others have done.
Hopefully that has done the trick - I guess I won't actually ever know.
EDIT: This is for an Exide EK960 going into a 2018 Highline (with camper conversion) 150ps T6 with start-stop.
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Have just replaced my dead VW Varta battery with a higher capacity Exide.
Disappointed that, whilst my Foxwell NT530 has the capability to change the battery data, it simply did not work. Kept telling me it couldn't write the new data.
Anyone with an NT530 had success with changing battery data??
Disappointed that, whilst my Foxwell NT530 has the capability to change the battery data, it simply did not work. Kept telling me it couldn't write the new data.
Anyone with an NT530 had success with changing battery data??
Do not know the tool, but did you open the motor bonnet?
Most codes won't write if you don't do that.
Sham63
Member
Having just gone through the process of replacing the battery in my T6.1 and using this thread for information, thought I’d add a post which might help someone.
I replaced the OEM battery with a slightly bigger Bosch S5 A12 80 a/h AGM STOP/START which fits in the battery compartment easily. Bought from Amazon for £135
I was tempted to not bother with coding, as many people suggest that it’s not really necessary, but desirable.
So I ended up buying an Ancel VD700 code reader from Aliexpress for £47 (also available on Amazon for £135…….) which has specific functions for VW vehicles, including battery registration. It took less than a week to arrive.
It’s very straightforward to ‘code’ the battery with this device. Having watched a couple of YouTube videos showing how to do it, the only thing that threw me was the device said that the bonnet had to be open to perform the function. Obviously not a problem, but unexpected.
The device also allows me to clear the numerous fault codes that were recorded while the old battery kept running flat.
I replaced the OEM battery with a slightly bigger Bosch S5 A12 80 a/h AGM STOP/START which fits in the battery compartment easily. Bought from Amazon for £135
I was tempted to not bother with coding, as many people suggest that it’s not really necessary, but desirable.
So I ended up buying an Ancel VD700 code reader from Aliexpress for £47 (also available on Amazon for £135…….) which has specific functions for VW vehicles, including battery registration. It took less than a week to arrive.
It’s very straightforward to ‘code’ the battery with this device. Having watched a couple of YouTube videos showing how to do it, the only thing that threw me was the device said that the bonnet had to be open to perform the function. Obviously not a problem, but unexpected.
The device also allows me to clear the numerous fault codes that were recorded while the old battery kept running flat.
Sham63
Member
Here’s the link to unit on Amazon:
AliExpress that I bought….
www.aliexpress.com
They’re available on EBay as well for £70 by the way.
AliExpress that I bought….
ANCEL VD700 Professional OBD2 Scanner for VW for Audi for Seat for Skoda Oil EPB SAS TPMS Reset Full System Code Reader - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
They’re available on EBay as well for £70 by the way.
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Looks the same as this on Ali Express:
www.aliexpress.com
ANCEL VD700 Professional OBD2 Scanner for VW for Audi for Seat for Skoda Oil EPB SAS TPMS Reset Full System Code Reader - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
Yes - open.
It will allow me to enter the new data but it gives a fail message when attempting to write the data.
Can you post a link to the battery please? I've searched Amazon but can't see it. I think mine is due for a change soon.
Thanks
Hi. My starter battery is dead. It was jumped by roadside recovery last night, we drove it for an hour with the intention of getting it investigated today at my usual garage. It wouldn’t start this morning, so I’ve asked them to quote for the larger Bosch battery and carry out diagnostics for any potential drain issue.
Their quote for the battery is not surprisingly way above the online prices, so I may source that myself.
They are however reluctant to fit the larger battery stating it can cause issues. They were vague on the specific issues. They have said they can do the coding etc, but definitely seem reluctant to fit the larger capacity battery.
Anyone encountered this from a garage? Or had any issues with the larger capacity batteries?
I do trust the garage, so it seems odd that it’s against the advice on this thread.
Their quote for the battery is not surprisingly way above the online prices, so I may source that myself.
They are however reluctant to fit the larger battery stating it can cause issues. They were vague on the specific issues. They have said they can do the coding etc, but definitely seem reluctant to fit the larger capacity battery.
Anyone encountered this from a garage? Or had any issues with the larger capacity batteries?
I do trust the garage, so it seems odd that it’s against the advice on this thread.
ThePearl
Member
I’m considering getting a new battery as the existing is struggling with cold starting and was diagnosed during recent service with low capacity. I’m going to get a Varta probably, now my T6 102 is a 2015 CAAB non start stop model. I’m hoping it will not require any VCDS reprogramming as there’s no monitoring sensors connected unlike the ones on a 6.1 Stop/Starter. Can anyone confirm this and recommend a replacement Varta Spec please?
I found the larger Bosch battery on mine really helped the heated screen work instantly when it was cold than the standard battery. People often complain of this. If it not got stop start a standard battery will do . Lucky you
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