[bradski]

Hey there,

I know there are a lot of threads out there about battery draw issues, kessy issues, and the like, however I think my case is unique.

I have an 04 that's been pretty darn solid. Definitely had a lot of issues taken care of at the dealer under warranty early on, but for the last 5 years (it was my father's car until four years ago) has been relatively problem free. However, there is a battery draw issue of some sort that presents itself sporadically. It seems to come about when colder temps come, which is an issue for me, because that's when I need my car most.

Some background kessy info:
The touareg is a fully loaded 04. The lock button on the driver side rear door handle (outside handle) has been detached for the last few years, and so that button has not worked for a while. A bit over two years ago the lock button on the driver door stopped working. However, the doors do still sense the presence of the key and unlock when I grab the door handle (though sometimes I have to physically be holding the key, rather than having to know the key is in my pocket).

Now onto the battery draw issue
The car and battery have been great for the past 9 months. The issue I am experiencing now, I experienced a year ago as well, then I put the touareg on a trickle charger and it's been fine since.

When the issue presents itself, here is what happens. When I get in the car and turn the key, it hesitates to start, the MFD in the gauge cluster stays black (off) for about two seconds (a noticeable amount of time) after the engine is running, and then it comes on with some error lights. I believe it's usually the one that comes up when the parking lights are left on.

I have updated the nav firmware, so ruled that out as the battery draw. I know a lot of people have had to fully replace or rebuild their kessy units. Based on the way mine still semi-functions, it seems it might not need replacement? I don't really mind that the driver side lock buttons don't work, but if the door handles are the battery draw here, I want that fixed. If I do need to replace the door handles, will new ones talk to the kessy module, or will I need a whole new kessy module as well?

A possibly related issue: the car no longer recognizes when the driver's door is open, unless it's pulled shut but not "closed." If that makes any sense. This is more an annoyance than anything.

Hoping the minds of club touareg have some insight here.

Thanks so much,
Brad

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

disconnect, your other 3 door's handles, i have the exact same issue as you
and the fact that the handles dont function with the touch to open, means your
kessy is shutting atnennas down and various inputs. it also means it doesnt go in sleep mode. Unplug all 4 handles from under each door card, charge your battery
let sit for 2-3 days, start it and see if your clock resets
Mine doesnt

 

[bradski]

TUNINGBYAMG, not sure I understand. Could you explain further? Anyone else out there have some input?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Livefreeandrive]

Brad, My exact vehicle is suddenly doing the same thing. Everything except TPMS (I killed it) and key less entry works. I drove it 4 hours straight on a trip Monday and when I shut it down, the fan kept running for a while? Next morning I experienced a reluctant start...drove it to my company, a VW/Audi specialty shop...and my guys plugged her in and scratched their heads as once started with a jumper pack, the voltage dropped and the reduction was accelerated with the addition of heat and headlights. The battery is one year old and I have had a check engine light for a temp sensor that is done when timing is typically done. This temp sensor was not replaced by a shop I used before buying my own....

I guess the lesson here is that as a Touareg owner with OCD, buying your own shop is not a guarantee that your Egg will always run properly. I thought about buying a lockable storage container that connects to trailer hitch that can hold an aviation external power cart and a moped just in case that did not work.

I have only very experienced techs with German specific careers and they are out there now reading all the items I can find printed out on the bench. At the moment I think the problem will be the battery, the crappy wire from post to alternator, the alternator, the wire from post under hood to battery...under the seat..Grrr, or hopefully not the damn keyless entry!!kaboom

Stop by and say hi if you are ever in the area

 

[Livefreeandrive]

UPDATE

OK, we have 14 volts coming out of the Alternator and around 12 at the posts on the firewall. The wire number ends at 02 and despite having it at the stealer 5 times with a platinum warranty, the fargers still did not replace it. I am going to get a part number and diagram. I will also try to take some pictures of procedure to help those who try to do this themselves.

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

Uhm actually there was a recall for those Alternator supply wires. Check if it has been done on yours

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

bradski From my personal experience, and techincal diagrams studying this car's electricals i've come to the following understanding:

1. the car is equipped with a CANBUS communication system, which means all copmuters can communicate with each other through a sophisticated network of cables.
2. The Kessy or keyless control unit, controls and listens for the signals from your key
provided that it senses that you are near with the key, it sends a signal to all other computers which ones i'm not sure, but eg(radio, engine ecu, self leveling suspension etc) and getting the car ready for you when you turn the key

The actual problem is that when the kessy receives false signals that mimic you being close by with the keys, it does not let the computers go to sleep state (thus draw minimal power) imagine if you would just stand by your driver's door and touch the handle all day. The result will be dead battery.

This is why i disconnected my door handles, and i've proved this theory by carefully measuring the amp draw of my consumators with the kessy on and with kessy disconnected

hope this makes it a little bit clear

 

[Fourdiesel]

Your logic is impeccable!

 

[Livefreeandrive]

Uhm actually there was a recall for those Alternator supply wires. Check if it has been done on yours

I guess you do not read very well...I referenced the wire part number in my post and Um, actually there was NOT a recall for alternator wire:

2004 Volkswagen Touareg Recalls

There is a Technical Service Bulletin: 27 08 02. You have to pay for for TSBs. Nice job describing the keyless battery drain though

 

[Amphicar770]

What is the easiest way to disconnect the door handles? Thanks.

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

From inside the doors, remove the door handle covers, 2 bolts there, under side of the door card, 2 more bolts, and get a fork shaped screwdriver to pop out the retaining clips, try not breaking any patience is a virtue.

You will see a plug with 4 or 5 wires, clipped to the window regulator, it is one of the only ones and its in the bottom half of the door, pretty hard to miss, you will see one side of the wire go behind the window regulator on its way to the handle
this is the one you want to disconnect.

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

Livefreeandrive i could swear i did see a recall for a wire connecting your positive to the alternator or what not, its obviously not listed under your link that you provided. But it could be dependant on what model you have. It could've been for my model i have the v10 TDI

 

[eyelise]

Update. So far the battery has not died now about a week out after having the KESSY replaced and a new "certificate" flash. I still have one handle that does not work. The button does not lock or unlock the car and the proximity function does not work. I'm not sure if the antenna is faulty (will have to throw my VAG-COM on to see) but I'm sure the button is no good.

I've been watching the voltage meter each morning just prior to starting. It has basically held at 12.5V with the ignition on and the car off. When it used to drain it would drop down to 12V or lower. After running the car for a while (fully charged) the battery will read 13.5V with ignition on but car off. I still wonder if there is a slight drain but maybe it is within normal limits.

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

Good news then, all looks like you've cured it. I still think you should disconnect your handles as i've had no luck with getting this system to work. i've consulted with many VW TEchs and the proper way to make this work once again is new Kessy with all 4 new door handles for a whopping 3000$+

 

[tai101]

Good news then, all looks like you've cured it. I still think you should disconnect your handles as i've had no luck with getting this system to work. i've consulted with many VW TEchs and the proper way to make this work once again is new Kessy with all 4 new door handles for a whopping 3000$+

Its prices like these that scare the crap out of me! I really really want kessy (and eventually push button start) but I do not want to have to deal with this head ache.

Is it possible to disconnect kessy if it starts causing problems?

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

you can disconnect it and your vehicle wont start when you turn the key

I had found kessy's from vw directly available through the dealer at a clearance price
of 99$ instead of 700$ list. But unfortunately people were quick to benefit from this deal

 

[eyelise]

What about just disconnecting the one door handle? I wonder if that will do the trick.

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

Well, i've tried disconnecting 1, and guess what issue resurfaced like 6 months later.
So i said to hell with it all 4 are getting the unplug.
And now everything is beautiful, cold morning starts at -5C are a breeze, my auxiliary heater starts right up, life is good

 

[eyelise]

Was it a new handle that went?

 

[TUNINGBYAMG]

Just slightly lifting door cards and unplug the plug at the bottom half