Dodgy battery or something else?

[Scratchyratface]

Hi all, an interesting issue has started creeping into my Scirocco ownership. I've had a couple of instances in the past 2 weeks where I've been unable to put up my passenger window (no movement from either drivers master switch or the passenger switch. Window doesn't drop when opening the doors but if I disconnect the battery and reconnect it then it starts working again. I'm thinking the battery is on it's way out but VW Assistance reckon its fine (2 different techs have told me this). The battery went flat after the last VW Assistance guy looked at it for the window issue (had to call him back to give the battery a charge). So it all points to that, battery is still under warranty but I'm thinking I might just get a new one.

[ope126]

Maybe try Battery Hotline Archerfield, they helped me!

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f27/re-b7-passat-125tdi-battery-change-106701.html

[Scratchyratface]

thanks, will try them.

[vwryogi]

thanks, will try them.

its your battery 100% my friend.

had mine go a few weeks back (literally a week after service, of which the mechanic said all is fine and battery is healthy)

windows, mirrors and sunroof were acting up - replaced the battery and all working as they should.

[Scratchyratface]

Aha, thanks for that. I've got mine booked into the VW Service place at Mansfield on Monday. They had a clear schedule and got me straight in.
Odd how various places tell us that the battery is ok when clearly it isn't.

[AALocksmiths]

IF they have tested the battery then they should be able to give you a report on its health. It will show if it's holding its voltage, and how it preforms under load.

[Scratchyratface]

Well no progress unfortunately, they had the car all day and could only really tell me that the battery was fine. I had loosened one of the terminals so I can reset the battery if I got the dreaded window problem while away from home so they blamed any issues I've had on the loose terminal Anyway I got to drive a new Golf today (loan car) which surprised me on how good it was. Will be back on the phone as soon as the problem reoccurs.

They did refit both door panels as the VW Assist guy reckoned they had been put on wrong - turns out he was right.

The mystery continues..................

[guile]

good luck mate, hope you get it sorted soon. i might be buying a brand new uprated varta battery (i think i'm running too much electrical stuff, ipod, camera, p3 gauge, soon to be wmi etc) next time i'm back if that would help to try. also let me know if you ever need to borrow the vcds cable...

[Scratchyratface]

thanks Richard, much appreciated. I'm thinking about replacing the battery myself just to eliminate it from the problem. Otherwise I'll just wait for it to happen again and take it back to the service centre.
I did get a 'free' car wash voucher from them but also had to pay $27 for the loan car. I'd be reluctant to pay that again for the loan car if they haven't resolved the issue.

[enzo15637]

first hand experience with the same problem, it's was my battery after using a battery charger overnight the issues went away

[Scratchyratface]

Problem returned yesterday arvo, pulled into a car park and switched off the engine went to get something out of the passenger side and didn't realise the window hadn't dropped so the door didn't close properly (not ideal with the rain around Brisbane at the moment). Came back to the car after 30 minutes and started the engine, drove away and the window decided it would work again.
Back to the Mansfield service centre this afternoon, I wish they would just replace the damn battery! They tried to book me in for next week but I explained that the door isn't sealing because of the window so they have squeezed me in. I think they'll have the car for most of Friday by the sounds of it.

[Scratchyratface]

Picked up the car on Friday afternoon only for them to confirm that the battery is ok. They think the window issue is to do with the tech bulletin that has only just been recently sent out from VW advising that some window seals can prevent windows from going up or down correctly, they have created some new lubricant to fix it (due in on Tuesday). They haven't been able to replicate the problem which is frustrating but typical................

Anyway as I pulled away from the service centre the passenger window failed to drop! So finally the service manager got to see it first hand. They are going to discuss with VW and advise on the next course of action next week.

[Blue103TDIDSG]

didn't realise the window hadn't dropped so the door didn't close properly .

Sorry to hear about this problem you are having with the windows
I have been "lurker" here for a while and I plan to get a new Scirocco late this year - long story.

Now for the "stupid" question

Could you enlighten me on how the window dropping/door opening bit works ?

[brad]

As you pull the door handle the window drops a few mm.

It's a fairly standard thing

[Scratchyratface]

Had a call from VW today, they are ordering a new window motor, having it installed next Monday. Another $30 for the loan car.