VW Transporter Battery Failure: Warning Signs & Fixes

Had a similar issue with my 2019 VW Caddy last winter. As someone with some car maintenance experience, I first thought it was just a discharged battery causing the electrical problems. The symptoms matched exactly what you describe, weak starting, unusual error messages, and dimming lights. The low battery warnings became more frequent, especially during cold starts. Took it to my regular workshop where they diagnosed a faulty battery sensor. This sensor wasnt accurately reporting the battery charge status to the vehicle management system, leading to improper charging and eventual battery failure. The complete fix, including diagnostics, sensor replacement, and system reset cost 315€. Since then, no more electrical issues or car battery problems. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Current battery age, Mileage, Whether you use the vehicle daily or it sits unused for periods, Any aftermarket electrical accessories installed This information would help determine if your issue is identical to what I experienced with the battery sensor. The workshop mentioned this is relatively common in VW models from that generation, but proper diagnosis is essential since similar symptoms can have different root causes.

Thanks for the follow-up. My Transporter has 60175km on the clock from the last service in June. The battery is the original one from 2021. Vehicle gets daily use for work, no long idle periods. No aftermarket electrical parts installed, keeping everything stock. After reading about the battery sensor issue, I checked the battery terminals, they show some white corrosion buildup. Wondering if cleaning the connections might help before going deeper into electrical system diagnostics. The battery drain seems worse after short trips. Sometimes the electrical problems clear up after longer drives, suggesting the charging system might still be working, just not efficiently enough.

Thanks for those details. Your situation sounds very similar to mine, especially the correlation between short trips and battery drain issues. My Caddy had nearly identical symptoms before the fix. The white corrosion on the battery terminals definitely needs addressing, as this can cause poor electrical connections and prevent proper charging. However, based on my experience, this is likely a secondary issue rather than the root cause. When my battery sensor was faulty, it also seemed to improve after longer drives. This happens because the alternator eventually provides enough charge despite the sensor misreporting the battery status. But the underlying problem persists. Given your daily usage pattern and relatively low mileage, a complete battery failure at this age is unusual unless theres an underlying system issue. The original vehicle battery should typically last 4-5 years under normal conditions. I would recommend: 1. Clean the battery terminals to rule out connection issues 2. Have the battery sensor checked, the symptoms strongly match my experience 3. Get a full charging system diagnostic The battery sensor repair made a huge difference in my case. The electrical system returned to normal operation immediately after the fix, with no more error messages or starting problems.

Thank you for sharing those insights about the battery sensor. The corrosion on my battery terminals seemed like a good starting point, so I cleaned them thoroughly yesterday. While this improved the connection, the electrical issues persist. The symptoms you described with your Caddy match mine exactly, particularly how the problems improve after longer drives. Given that the battery drain issues continue even with clean terminals, I suspect youre right about the battery sensor being the likely culprit. Your repair cost of 315€ for the complete fix sounds reasonable compared to potential battery replacement costs. Since the electrical system faults are becoming more frequent, especially during cold starts, Ill schedule a diagnostic focusing on the battery sensor and charging system. Interesting point about the battery age, youre right that a 2-year-old battery shouldnt be failing under normal use. The fact that similar electrical problems cleared up completely after your sensor replacement gives me confidence about pursuing this repair path. Will book it in next week for a full system check. The dead battery symptoms and charging issues need sorting before winter really sets in.