View Full Version : Car Battery about to die on a 2011 Audi S4...Help
z_curtis_s4
12-19-2017, 04:31 PM
So I went to start my car up and it almost didn't turn over...Hard to explain sorry 1st time my car has done this. So I went into my MMI and looked at my car battery life which for the 1st time it was not at the 100% mark. It was like 75% battery life if that. My car is a 2011 and it's still on the first battery so I'm sure it's time for a new one. I plan to buy a new one tomorrow btw...... My question is when changing a car battery is it just buy a new battery and install it or some say you need to "code the battery" or "car" before you install a new car battery. My plan is to not take it to the dealer and buy a new battery and install it myself. Is it just plug and play? Can anyone lend any pointers to installing a new car battery and what kind of battery to buy? Thanks in advance for your comments and assistance!! Cheers
jdcarnes
12-19-2017, 05:45 PM
Supposed you're suppose to code. However I did not. This battery did come with a BEM if you wished to code it.
Have had it for awhile with no issue. Just double check the manufacturing date on battery. The one they tried to have me take was already 4 years old. On the other side of town there was one from this year. Probably because they don't sell that many of this size.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171220/93da0a12ec2daf5259c89646ba2e8caf.jpg
z_curtis_s4
12-19-2017, 06:34 PM
Sounds like you are suppose to code it but some have not and had no issues. Just making sure I can buy a new battery and install it without coding it and not have any issue for the foreseeable future. So don't code it? What's the point of coding it in the first place....cheers
saxon
12-19-2017, 06:46 PM
Supposed you're suppose to code. However I did not. This battery did come with a BEM if you wished to code it.
Have had it for awhile with no issue. Just double check the manufacturing date on battery. The one they tried to have me take was already 4 years old. On the other side of town there was one from this year. Probably because they don't sell that many of this size.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171220/93da0a12ec2daf5259c89646ba2e8caf.jpg
if you get the one from advance make sure to order online and use the 30% off code :)
z_curtis_s4
12-19-2017, 07:36 PM
any problems if I don't code my new battery?
RWD2quattro
12-19-2017, 08:01 PM
See link for coding.
http://http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/671808-Replacing-OEM-battery-S4-B8
any problems if I don't code my new battery?
You do not need to code the new battery if the car didn't go into protection mode due to a dead or dying battery. Coding is only essential if the car went into protection mode before swapping out the old battery. Coding tells the car that a new battery is installed and it can go back to normal operation.
TexasDfwS4
12-20-2017, 04:23 AM
I went to Interstate battery and when entering car info it asked for option code and I'm not sure which one we have. I tried several and the battery changed in type and price for every code listed. Does anyone know off hand which one to use?
z_curtis_s4
12-20-2017, 05:28 AM
See link for coding.
http://http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/671808-Replacing-OEM-battery-S4-B8
Unfortunately this link does not work. Do you have the link so I can check out the codes. Even though it sounds like I don't need to code the battery.
RWD2quattro
12-20-2017, 12:51 PM
Check out this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJAScg6JrYI
TexasDfwS4
12-20-2017, 05:11 PM
That's it, but still something going on will update.
fixedhat313
12-21-2017, 09:29 AM
I installed a battery in my A4 a few days ago after getting the "energy management active" fault intermittently and battery charging message in the DIS off and on. I got an interstate battery, installed, battery meter said 100% and I cleared the energy management fault. Car stayed out of energy mode but battery meter was back at 10% the next day. Drove it around and literally watched the meter fill up back to 100% slowly while driving. I assume that I was lucky because my car was going in and out of low energy mode and wasn't stuck in it, so when I installed the new battery, my car was out of energy mode and will now stay out, no coding necessary.
sacandagaD
12-21-2017, 09:57 AM
IMHO, if you have already gone to the trouble and cost, of purchasing a VCDS cable to use on your car, then why not code the new battery just for peace of mind? Curious, does Carista or OBDeleven have that option?
Dr GP
12-21-2017, 11:50 AM
I replaced my battery 2 years ago and didn’t Code it . No problems
bokiboki
12-21-2017, 01:38 PM
My car (2011 S4) was in energy management mode and battery meter at 20% so the other day I replaced the battery. Installed a Bosch unit that I bought at PepBoys for $139 (it was on sale). It's a size 49 battery and it weights almost 60 freaking pounds! After the swap I followed the instructions from the youtube video mentioned above and just changed one number from the serial number (last 10 digits) and saved the long code and done! Everything back to normal. See if you can find someone local with the VAGCOM if you already don't have one or are not planning on getting one, I'm sure someone will help. On the other hand I'm sure that the new battery will do it's thing even if you don't code it as many forum members on here experienced first hand.
z_curtis_s4
12-21-2017, 04:33 PM
So I finally got and installed a new battery. I did not code it and the car is completely fine with no issues (finders crossed.) I did drive by the Audi Stealership to see what they said about coding the car. First of all they wanted $398 for a new battery, installation and coding it. I asked what the cost was to just code the new battery and they wanted $140 just to code it. I was very very tentative to change out the battery because I heard that you needed to code it. I went ahead and just took out the old battery and put the new one in and that was it. At first when I went into my MMI to look at my battery meter the meter was still reading low. As I drove around the rest of the day today the meter slowing went up and now is back at 100%. So for those who are hesitant to code or not or any thing else about getting a new battery; just buy a new one and install it and thats it!
LYKUNO
12-21-2017, 05:06 PM
Glad it worked out for you, and amazed that your original battery lasted at least 7 years! I replace my 2010-vintage battery (car built 10-2010) last year and thought I was pushing it.
z_curtis_s4
12-21-2017, 05:32 PM
Glad it worked out for you, and amazed that your original battery lasted at least 7 years! I replace my 2010-vintage battery (car built 10-2010) last year and thought I was pushing it.
Yes I am so happy the process is all over. I was very surprised my original battery last that long. Can't believe the stealership wanted to charge me $140 to code my car.
Dr GP
12-21-2017, 05:57 PM
Yes I am so happy the process is all over. I was very surprised my original battery last that long. Can't believe the stealership wanted to charge me $140 to code my car.
Bastards!
Where do you find the battery meter in the MMI?
I'm still on my original battery.
sacandagaD
12-22-2017, 08:19 AM
Where do you find the battery meter in the MMI?
I'm still on my original battery.
Per AZ Vag mod sticky page 1: Prefacelift only http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/403694-B8-B8-5-VCDS-amp-Hidden-Menu-The-Complete-List
________________________________________
Enable Battery meter
[Hidden menu] [car] [cardevextdevicelist] [Battery] Enable
[Hidden menu] [car] [carmenuoperation] [Battery] Set to 5
Reset MMI
z_curtis_s4
12-22-2017, 09:06 AM
Where do you find the battery meter in the MMI?
I'm still on my original battery.
Vag-com. I had a buddy do it for me. Obviously it was very helpful for me to be able to see my Battery Meter so I can check every now and again.
evanb
12-22-2017, 02:53 PM
Where do you find the battery meter in the MMI?
I'm still on my original battery.
Once you enable it with vag-com it shows up near the bottom of the "car" menu.
Perfect. I'll have to do that with my VAG-COM.
prkieffer
12-24-2017, 12:17 PM
Buy the battery from Audi they cost $125 with core replacement.
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omegis83
12-24-2017, 12:38 PM
Unfortunately this link does not work. Do you have the link so I can check out the codes. Even though it sounds like I don't need to code the battery.
A little late, but I used this:
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/b8-models-72/audi-a4-b8-battery-coding-176172/#post1430403
Worth keeping bookmarked in case you run into this in the future.
Senseless
12-24-2017, 07:57 PM
Buy the battery from Audi they cost $125 with core replacement.
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This must have been some special deal. My dealer charged $230 with core return. It's an easy install and there's a Ross Tech video online with step by step coding instructions.
14S4GWM
12-24-2017, 08:00 PM
Buy the battery from Audi they cost $125 with core replacement.
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Not anywhere near me.
prkieffer
12-24-2017, 08:29 PM
Audi pacific in Torrence ca 125
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I just bought an aftermarket battery. To my knowledge, I have no battery issues currently, it's just older age seems to be a bit weaker starting lately. There is no ten digit code though.
There is a model number (8 digits with two dashes) and a 7 digit serial number. Just toss it in and who cares?
14S4GWM
12-26-2017, 05:15 PM
I just bought an aftermarket battery. To my knowledge, I have no battery issues currently, it's just older age seems to be a bit weaker starting lately. There is no ten digit code though.
There is a model number (8 digits with two dashes) and a 7 digit serial number. Just toss it in and who cares?
Just change the last number or digit of whats already in there. As long is the computer sees something different you'll be fine.
Tbomun
01-23-2019, 07:26 AM
know its an old post but maybe itll help someone if it doesnt then sorry but i just swapped out my battery on 2012 B8 s4. used the battery recommended in this thread from Advanced Auto. No errors, no re-coding needed, just need to reset clock. it had a BEM code sticker. i was worried about the whole re-coding thing. Dealership quoted me $270 for battery, PLUS $135 install and coding. Told me coding is a 2-3 hour job. or i can take just the battery, install myself and pay just for the re-coding for $187.