How complicated is it to replace the battery on a B8 A4?

[Crucible35]

In most battery based systems that have monitoring, even outside of automotive, monitoring usually needs to be "reset" as mentioned in an earlier post to recognize the new battery so that the charging systems will charge to the correct voltage. If it still "thinks" you have an old battery, it will continue to charge at the old battery rate....typically never getting a ful charge on the new battery.

Oh and BTW - an AGM battery is still a lead acid technology. Just means there are fiber mats inside the battery that absorb the acid and keeps it cohesive to the lead plating in heavy vibration/movement applications. Prevents premature death of the battery.

[doowopaudi]

A bit off topic, but I was able to jump my gfs car yesterday using the positive terminal and a ground under the hood.

[mr_milo]

Not surprised, nor uncommon - nor even specific to Audi considering all the electronics in cars today.

Just be glad you don't experience the perpetual battery discharge which plagues BMW owners.

Agreed! The BMW discharge is why I dumped my E93 and moved back to Audi. It was a nice car. It drove a little harsher than the Audi while the iDrive was a little nicer & faster then the MMI. But in the end I was not about to buy a new battery every 1 1/2 - 2 years at ~$500 a shot. I just hope the Audi does better.

[dennisA4]

I never got more than 2 years on my Audi batteries but they only cost around $130 to replace.
That's driving 10 miles to work each way, so short drives.
Now that my commute is 35 miles each way, i'm expecting to get a bit more battery life.

[Crucible35]

^^^ that's strange.....most are getting more than two years out of their batteries.....Mine starting to go......after 5 years and 170,000 Kms on my B8. May be why your batteries are so cheap. Are you replacing with OEM or something else? What are the specs?

[name.goes.here]

I never got more than 2 years on my Audi batteries but they only cost around $130 to replace.
That's driving 10 miles to work each way, so short drives.
Now that my commute is 35 miles each way, i'm expecting to get a bit more battery life.

At two years now and no issues at all; during week only drive 6 miles per day.

[dennisA4]

That's good to hear.
My previous experience was on a 2008 and previous. My wife's cars of the same years (different makes) were similar. Maybe battery technology has improved since then.

[Estrda1]

I might need to replace my battery and from reading these post it looks like I cant do it without VAG. Is this right? Ideally I am looking into buying a Die Hard or an Interstate for about $150 but I'm hesitant now to do so because I don't want my car to ruin the new battery thinking its an old one because I failed to code it. I guess my question is, is there a way to replace the battery without using VAG? My car has 50,000 mi and it's a 2011 A4. I bought it used so I have a 100,00 mi warranty but I'm pretty sure batteries aren't covered from what I've read on these forums and as well as the price being around $300. Thanks for any info.

[Slick_B8]

If you go with a aftermarket battery, go with aaa one. It has a 6 year warranty.

[mfoster87]

I might need to replace my battery and from reading these post it looks like I cant do it without VAG. Is this right? Ideally I am looking into buying a Die Hard or an Interstate for about $150 but I'm hesitant now to do so because I don't want my car to ruin the new battery thinking its an old one because I failed to code it. I guess my question is, is there a way to replace the battery without using VAG? My car has 50,000 mi and it's a 2011 A4. I bought it used so I have a 100,00 mi warranty but I'm pretty sure batteries aren't covered from what I've read on these forums and as well as the price being around $300. Thanks for any info.

Batteries aren't covered under the CPO Warranty. I've got a 2011 with 53k and my battery died this morning. Just got back from the dealership and it cost about $180 for the battery and install ($132 + tax for battery and then $40 for labor). I was just going to install the battery myself but they said it needed to be programmed so I had them do it.

[SDF1]

Thats an awesome price! mine wanted 480$CND Haha I did it myself for 120$

[Biggie3077]

I think Audi batteries are covered for 3 years free replacement and prorated after up to 6 years.
If you're replacing batteries every 2 years, hope you're exercising the free replacement option.

[Tm030512]

Are autozone batteries good or no??

[Project Quattro]

Are autozone batteries good or no??

Autozone batteries are as good as anywhere else for a normal car, but for the B8 I would use a genuine Audi battery. I haven't had to replace mine yet, but a lot of German car companies have custom engineered batteries to be a specific size and/or output. Basing this on my uncle's Porsche, where the battery in a 996 is about the size of a motorcycle battery but has the cold cranking amps of a diesel truck. Not something that can be found in Autozone or Advance Auto.


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[Tm030512]

Autozone batteries are as good as anywhere else for a normal car, but for the B8 I would use a genuine Audi battery. I haven't had to replace mine yet, but a lot of German car companies have custom engineered batteries to be a specific size and/or output. Basing this on my uncle's Porsche, where the battery in a 996 is about the size of a motorcycle battery but has the cold cranking amps of a diesel truck. Not something that can be found in Autozone or Advance Auto.


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Thanks for the info will go to audi I guess..lol or do you know any where else I could go for a better battery than the oem

[Militant-Grunt]

I never got more than 2 years on my Audi batteries but they only cost around $130 to replace.
That's driving 10 miles to work each way, so short drives.
Now that my commute is 35 miles each way, i'm expecting to get a bit more battery life.

We do get occasional failures and I replace batteries under warranty but generally they last 5-6 years.

Also, as far as the battery coding goes, you can put whatever 10 digit number in there. The battery manager doesn't look for a specific battery serial, but rather it looks for a different number than what is currently coded to the car. The battery manager just needs to see a different number to 'know' the battery was changed.

[dennisA4]

I think Audi batteries are covered for 3 years free replacement and prorated after up to 6 years.
If you're replacing batteries every 2 years, hope you're exercising the free replacement option.

If this is true it's new. I never had a battery covered under warranty and paid full price at the dealer.

[Tm030512]

If this is true it's new. I never had a battery covered under warranty and paid full price at the dealer.

How much is full price?

[UmIsThisThingOn]

... I was researching information here on the forums and called my local Audi Dealership for my sister in law's car battery which needs 380 amps per her VIN (2010 B8 A4 Premium Plus) which Audi is asking $170 for. [B]While mine (2010 B8 A4 Prestige Sline) with 580 amps through my VIN information is only for $150. ...

I just sent a request for a quote for my battery and I have the same car/trim level you do and was told I need Part# 000915105DL/520 amp. They said they'll sell it to me for $207, which is cheaper than the 580 amp, but I'm more concerned about getting the correct battery for my car's electrical needs.

Any ideas if I'm getting the wrong info?

[SDF1]

I just sent a request for a quote for my battery and I have the same car/trim level you do and was told I need Part# 000915105DL/520 amp. They said they'll sell it to me for $207, which is cheaper than the 580 amp, but I'm more concerned about getting the correct battery for my car's electrical needs.

Any ideas if I'm getting the wrong info?

Call the dealer and see how much he will charge you to install it. I've heard people get quoted only ~40$ more than buying the car alone. It's worth
having the dealer install it as they do the coding.

[Ox2gen]

Hmmmm.... when I go into Module 19 (CAN-Gateway) -> Measure Blocks -> Groups 18,19,20 no number values appear for any of the battery readouts. Anyone else encounter this? I have not replaced the battery yet so my battery has been running since April 2009. Maybe I should just replace it without finding out what's its present battery life.

[SDF1]

Hmmmm.... when I go into Module 19 (CAN-Gateway) -> Measure Blocks -> Groups 18,19,20 no number values appear for any of the battery readouts. Anyone else encounter this? I have not replaced the battery yet so my battery has been running since April 2009. Maybe I should just replace it without finding out what's its present battery life.

Try turning the car on. What year/model is your car?

[Ox2gen]

Try turning the car on. What year/model is your car?

2009 rest in signature. It doesn't have MMI but I don't think that should matter.

[SDF1]

2009 rest in signature. It doesn't have MMI but I don't think that should matter.

Authentic Ross-tech cable?

[Ox2gen]

Authentic Ross-tech cable?

Yes, Ross-tech cable is authentic, bought it straight from them. Ran the codes and this fault code came up for Module Address 19 (CAN Gateway). Seems like something's disconnected or the battery is so dead it's not talking anymore j/k


Address 19: CAN Gateway (J533) Labels: 8T0-907-468.clb
Part No SW: 8T0 907 468 M HW: 8T0 907 468 H
Component: GW-BEM 5CAN H06 0095
Revision: GB300043 Serial number: 4300G09226845C
Coding: 000303
Shop #: WSC 02391 823 56573
VCID: 4B95D334EAC1C74084E

1 Fault Found:
00458 - Control Module for Battery Monitoring (J367)
004 - No Signal/Communication
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 254
Reset counter: 219
Mileage: 114362 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2014.04.17
Time: 16:47:57

[SDF1]

Yes, Ross-tech cable is authentic, bought it straight from them. Ran the codes and this fault code came up for Module Address 19 (CAN Gateway). Seems like something's disconnected or the battery is so dead it's not talking anymore j/k


Address 19: CAN Gateway (J533) Labels: 8T0-907-468.clb
Part No SW: 8T0 907 468 M HW: 8T0 907 468 H
Component: GW-BEM 5CAN H06 0095
Revision: GB300043 Serial number: 4300G09226845C
Coding: 000303
Shop #: WSC 02391 823 56573
VCID: 4B95D334EAC1C74084E

1 Fault Found:
00458 - Control Module for Battery Monitoring (J367)
004 - No Signal/Communication
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100100
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 254
Reset counter: 219
Mileage: 114362 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2014.04.17
Time: 16:47:57

Well you have a bigger problem!

[stereojorge]

Just finished successfully replacing and re-coding a new battery in my B8 S4! Thanks for everyone's insight on this thread. I basically took the numbering shown in the picture below and entered it just as is: 000915105DK VA0 330831V2W6 and voila! Before doing this, "Battery Meter" in my MMI was greyed out, but the moment I entered the new coding in 19-Can Gateway > Long Adaptation > Channel 4, upon restart, it shows up and it shows 100%. Thanks again everyone for the insight!

[The Infiltrator]

Who knew Audi would make a battery swap so complicated.....

[richardm0025]

What numbers do I have to pull off this to code this new battery? I do not see a bem code?


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[jbradle7]

Not sure if this helps anybody... I installed a replacement battery last month in my 2010. My battery monitor had been down to 20% with no improvement after driving the 45min to work. I installed my battery that day in the dealership parking lot, no VCDS, drove home and the battery monitor was back up to 100%. I figured if it was working fine I wouldn't mess with the coding. Going on a month now without coding the replacement battery and everything seems fine. Take that for whatever it's worth.

*forgot to mention, my replacement battery is an Enertec

[SDF1]

What numbers do I have to pull off this to code this new battery? I do not see a bem code?


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Enterc is still unknown for us.
Is it the same brand as you had before? If so go in to the numbers and just change the date.

[richardm0025]

Enterc is still unknown for us.
Is it the same brand as you had before? If so go in to the numbers and just change the date.

this is the one in there right now.

There's no code cracking for this one as I saw you posted something about that in an archive thread.


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[booost]

Where are you guys sourcing these batteries? Dealership?

[richardm0025]

Yea, dealership for me. Paid 125$. I just got done installing it and seems to be functioning well. Left the radio and headlights on with car off and no battery saving mode so idk lol. I'll look at the coding this weekend and see what I can find out.


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[richardm0025]

Not sure if this helps anybody... I installed a replacement battery last month in my 2010. My battery monitor had been down to 20% with no improvement after driving the 45min to work. I installed my battery that day in the dealership parking lot, no VCDS, drove home and the battery monitor was back up to 100%. I figured if it was working fine I wouldn't mess with the coding. Going on a month now without coding the replacement battery and everything seems fine. Take that for whatever it's worth.

*forgot to mention, my replacement battery is an Enertec

Just installed it and so far no problem with the enertec batt. on a b8 premium "half plus" ;) haha

Only thing that changed was my date and time. 4/28/09... I take it that's when the car was produced haha.


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[booost]

Yea, dealership for me. Paid 125$.

My dealer quoted me $169 for the battery plus an hour of labor @ $125. I'm willing to do it myself and have VCDS but am wondering if it's possible to find them cheaper. I'm guessing online won't be an option due to shipping issues/costs...

[richardm0025]

Wow, call any other dealers around your area?




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[jbradle7]

My dealership cost, after ACNA discount and taxes, was right around $128

[richardm0025]

Not sure if I did this correctly. I installed s new battery and coded it just wondering if these numbers make sense. Car doesn't seem to be in the low battery mode (forgot the term) and I coded the battery meter to show on the mmi without having navigation and showing 100%

Any thoughts?

I guess my MAIN question is as long as the car sees a new battery code, it will work as if the dealer installed it? It would have been nice to have the BEM code but does it really matter if the car sees a new number that doesn't totally 100% MATCH the new battery...? I would think that my old battery and new battery both have the same characteristics so everything should be fine... Just looking for some thoughts on this one!

[SDF1]

Showing battery capacity at 100Ah and 12.2V. Looks good!