Did a further scan with #VCDS to double check all the #OBD2 #ECU #coding had taken correctly and do some real-time data monitoring, VCDS is way better for this - current draw when the ignition is turned on is as much as 14A !

New #battery holding voltage at around 12,4V with engine off, way better than old one which, barely 12V and sometimes less

Starting engine shows charge current from #alternator as much as 60A, going down to about 10A when idling (which means in future I shouldn't have to worry about #smartcharger overcharging the battery, I may even be able to monitor it this way).

Hopefully this battery lasts another 4+ years as doing all this extra coding is quite a mission compared to older cars!

#CarMaintenance #VW #GolfGTI #GolfMk7 #cars

Got into drivers seat and turned on ignition - dashboard now lit up like Christmas tree as battery change causes all manner of confusion to ECU, it now has to be coded (used #OBDEleven for this stage as its easier to get to the battery settings than #VCDS).

Coding is in 19 Gateway, Adaptation, Battery Adaptation. New Ah value entered, type changed to "Fleece" for AGM (Blei-Vliesbatterie), serial number made up from date of fitting, manufacturer "TU3" for #Exide (as its an aftermarket battery without BEM code, any 10 digit number will do)

Steering recalibrated by turning wheel to full left lock then full right lock, many other temporary fault codes had to be cleared off (all normal after battery replacement)

#CarMaintenance #VW #GolfGTI #GolfMk7 #cars

Cleaned up terminals with #Draper #battery #terminal cleaner (very useful tool), used 2 cable ties as temporary measure to stop battery cables falling back into space where you are trying to lift 21kg battery into.

Fitted without too much drama (other than having to lift it up again battery in tray to blow out small bits of polystyrene from box battery came in, I didn't want those in engine bay and some had even got into holes at flanged bit at bottom of the battery - #bladibarsket )

Hold down bolt torque 15 Nm, terminal bolts 6 Nm.

Reconnected BMS control wire and put covers on + and - including warning about not connecting external chargers, boost packs direct to - (they must go to terminal provided on car body because of BMS)

#CarMaintenance #VW #GolfGTI #GolfMk7

New #AGM #battery arrived today from #Yorkshire (even though I only paid for 2-4 days delivery time), fully charged.

Yoinked old battery (control cable for BMS on - terminal must be removed, pull *out* grey connector and then push back to release it), 10mm for battery terminals and 13mm for the hold down.

It is heavy (ca 21kg), about the weight of a well-fed male Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Removed transport bungs from new battery (there are two, red and black correspond to + and - side of the battery), put heat shield around it (this is important, EFB and AGM #batteries don't like heat and the EA888 engine get warm!), and placed it on small trolley as car was parked a few metres away in the yard

#CarMaintenance #cars #autos #VW #GolfGTI #GolfMk7

Put seat back on its mountings (there are locator pegs on left side), refitted bolts, torqued to 40 Nm and tested seatbelt buckle, now solid as it should be.

No errors appearing for airbag, seat belt sensor working, heated seats all good, managed not to scuff up anything badly nor gain any injuries (but I did clout my head on the steering wheel when moving the seat).

Hopefully that bolt stays tight now, at least I know what it is and where to get another if it doesn't, and I now have a set of spline bits (which are even strong enough to work with the ugga dugga) for any other jobs I might have to do over the months/years..

(this procedure should work on other models of the #Golf + a few other #VW #Audi #Skoda cars with same seatbelt)

#GolfGTI #GolfMK7 #CarMaintenance