DHA Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 Since the weather has turned cold in the last week or so, my GTI has struggled to start on occasion. It turns over, so not a battery issue I don't think, but on the first attempt it doesn't turn enough to get the engine started. So far it works on the second attempt. Any ideas, or is it just the cold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted December 18, 2009 Report Share Posted December 18, 2009 I think you should try charging your battery overnight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted December 19, 2009 Report Share Posted December 19, 2009 .... Definitely sounds like battery. The Mk5 GTI battery is tending to last about 4 years. You have the choice of a long slow recharge or a new battery with a new warranty on it - My new one is a VW battery with I think 3 years warranty (certainly 2 years). The problem with a recharge is that you never really get 100% reliability and unless very regularly recharged you'll find yourself unable to start at all one day, as I did recently with somewhere important to drive to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted December 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 3yrs 50,000 miles is what I have done on it. I mainly do journeys of over 45 mins so surprised it has not been charged up that well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted December 20, 2009 Report Share Posted December 20, 2009 3-4 years is the expected life span of a battery. I keep mine on a battery conditioner. Started instantly after not run for 10 days still. I reckon it could be a weak battery; if not a fragile coil pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodger00 Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 Interesting I have just found this post. I have had exactly the same issue and mine is now 4 years old. There is a green light showing still on the battery but from time to time it needs a second go on turning it over. Just out of interest has anyone taken the battery off and given it a full charge? Anything to be aware of? Alarm going off/imobiliser? Also where did you get your new one from? Thanks+++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 Another for battery. Last year the S3 started to cut out on first start if not revved a little for first 10 seconds or so, and then was fine. About a week later battery totally died. Charging could not recover it. Bought a new battery from Halford's and its been fine ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmerpalmer Posted December 24, 2009 Report Share Posted December 24, 2009 i had this problem with a previous car -AA fella gave some good advice. New modern batteries are sealed units, but will eventually loose water thro the seals. The seals can be prised off with a screw driver and each cell topped up with distilled water and recharged. Once re charged, the will last a bit longer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul130TDI Posted December 24, 2009 Report Share Posted December 24, 2009 Might be worth checking first, i thought the maintenance free batteries had a gel electrolyte and not the distilled (or tap water...as we all used) water in the older type and non-maintenance free types. Maybe you can just top up with water but it might be worth checking first - im personally not sure but would tend to think avoid. Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted December 24, 2009 Report Share Posted December 24, 2009 Sorry for laughing Dave but I thought you might like to know that the Trev has started first time, every time in this cold weather (The fact that it hasn't left the safe confines of the garage or neither here nor there!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted December 26, 2009 Report Share Posted December 26, 2009 Just out of interest has anyone taken the battery off and given it a full charge? Anything to be aware of? Alarm going off/imobiliser? ....You should be aware that if your car is remapped, it will revert back to 'stock' (or simulated 'stock') performance each time your battery is disconnected. Having Revo I am able to switch back to 'Performance' settings via the OBD port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted December 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2009 Sorry for laughing Dave but I thought you might like to know that the Trev has started first time, every time in this cold weather (The fact that it hasn't left the safe confines of the garage or neither here nor there!) Bravo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisg Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 my GTI Didn't know you had a GTi Dave..... or have I missed something? Wondering about one myself.........Only owned Audis for the last 25 years tho' ! The guys at Martins Vw in Camberley were pleased to see me a month or so back when I called in..... they used to work at Whites Audi.... where I have spent far too much money over the years ........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Didn't know you had a GTi Dave..... or have I missed something?Wondering about one myself.........Only owned Audis for the last 25 years tho' ! The guys at Martins Vw in Camberley were pleased to see me a month or so back when I called in..... they used to work at Whites Audi.... where I have spent far too much money over the years ........ Have had it for 3 years Chris!! it's been a great car if I am honest hence why I have kept it so long. It was to replace the porsche when we moved to an NCP carpark at work. It does the job pretty well, the reason I have not moved on is what to replace it with without spending a lot of money for a better car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Have had it for 3 years Chris!! it's been a great car if I am honest hence why I have kept it so long. It was to replace the porsche when we moved to an NCP carpark at work. It does the job pretty well, the reason I have not moved on is what to replace it with without spending a lot of money for a better car. ....Indeed it is a great car - An excellent allrounder. When modified it becomes even more difficult to know what to replace it with unless one goes for a different kind of vehicle such as a Porsche etc. On the subject of the cold weather, the turbo loves it! Performance is very crisp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ludwig Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 DHA, this made me go out and try to start mine today! It's been sitting in the garage for nearly 3 weeks. I'm very pleased to say that it started first time :-) The battery is just over 3 years old now. I had the original battery and alternator replaced under warranty after about 6 months from new. The battery kept going flat after only 3 or 4 days without the car being used. Apparently the original and the replacement is one of these "gel" things. I hope you get your problem sorted out soon. Ludwig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisg Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 I remember the Porsche going because of the car park business but hadn't realised that you had got a GTi..... I think you turned up at Virginia Water in a Cooper S Works on a couple of occasions ( Hers isn't it ? ) so I then lost the plot ..... : o lets face it three years for your car is a long time, do you know about MOTs ..... : ) Is yours a manual, I think Robin's is DSG ? Robin -You still please with the diff you had fitted to yours? Does it make any worthwhile difference in the snow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemod Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 On the subject of the cold weather, the turbo loves it! Performance is very crisp. Totally agree. The DSG is also superb in the snow. If your are spinning in a gear just paddle change to a higher gear with no uninterrupted power delivery and it just gets grip and goes.. Also from a standing start you just take your feet off the pedals and it just starts off by itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 lets face it three years for your car is a long time, do you know about MOTs ..... : ) I was shocked how much they charge for them!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted January 3, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 DHA, this made me go out and try to start mine today!It's been sitting in the garage for nearly 3 weeks. I'm very pleased to say that it started first time :-) The battery is just over 3 years old now. I had the original battery and alternator replaced under warranty after about 6 months from new. The battery kept going flat after only 3 or 4 days without the car being used. Apparently the original and the replacement is one of these "gel" things. I hope you get your problem sorted out soon. Ludwig Yesterday went to visit some friends, 3 hour journey then car sat for 5 hours. It struggled to catch but did after a few turns of the starter. Might pop past the dealer but I reckon it could be a costly experience whilst they "diagnose" it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisg Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Also from a standing start you just take your feet off the pedals and it just starts off by itself. Interesting to hear that, good, as I think we've decided that the next car will be DSG Stronic or whatever they wish to call it. But I can also do that in our manual equipped cars : ) I do have to concentrate a bit but I suppose it's so much easier with DSG If all these mumptys out on the roads could do this as well perhaps they wouldn't be stuck so often..... 4k on the rev counter with wheels spinning, they seem to think if it doesn't move it needs more revs..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted January 3, 2010 Report Share Posted January 3, 2010 Robin -You still please with the diff you had fitted to yours? Does it make any worthwhile difference in the snow? ....I'm extremely pleased with my Quaife ATB diff. I've had it over a year now but haven't seen snow since February 2009. It's not going to work like 4WD does in the snow but every little bit helps. I won't drive if it's snowing - I hate the stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ludwig Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 DHA, a 3 hour trip should have charged the battery up I would have thought? So a call in to the dealer is the bet be I agree. re. "Might pop past the dealer but I reckon it could be a costly experience whilst they "diagnose" it! " Yup, 'fraid so. I recall that they had mine for over 2 days doing "diagnostic tests" before they found out it was a duff battery and alternator! Luckily, it was under warranty, as I said. Keep us posted on developments please. Ludwig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ludwig Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 MM, the padle tip sounds like a very good idea, thanks. I'll try it next time I'm out. Something else they don't tell you in the handbook! re. "a standing start you just take your feet off the pedals and it just starts off by itself. " I've noticed this too - the grip it gives is uncanny! Ludwig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 There is a software update for 2.0TFSi engined cars that should solve this, it depends on your current software revision and if it's ever been updated by your dealer. Worth a call to them to ask, I guess they should do it for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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