[djseth]

Hi All, love the Treg, love the Forum. I have been reading the "problems" forum (I'm on page 54 of 83) to see who else is experiencing the same symptoms and me. So here's the deal.
2006 V8 Level 4 Treg. A few months ago, we started having low battery starting issues. Finally, she refused to start on my wife after filling up with gas (funny, we fill up a lot!) and gave a running gear fault error. Took it to the dealer, they told us nothing wrong and charged us a hundred bucks to diagnose. They told us since they found nothing, VW wouldn't pay so we had to. I had an interesting conversation with them about why I should be paying for an issue they can't find, but told them when this happens again and I know it will, I want my $100 bucks back.

We continued to have some slow cranking issues but she would always start. Finally, we drove to the dealer so they could replace the dash panel and while we were filling out the forms, 5 minutes with headlights on, the car would not start. We brought them out to see and they replaced the battery. We got an oil change for our hundred buck credit. Fine. I knew in my heart, it was not fixed. What caused the battery to die? In any case, they took action and now we have a record of starting issues, great. Well, she's having the trouble again. It's usually when she is warm. If you drive somewhere and then try to start again after sitting for just a few minutes, the problem shows up. If you wait long enough, she will usually start.

A note: one day when I was driving the treg home, I briefly saw a message on the MFI saying something about Consumer Electronics Shutdown. I did not have time to really see it, but looking on this site I found a post about consumers Electric shutdown and that MUST be the same thing.

So the car is at the dealer right now and they say they have found the problem, it's the alternator. They are replacing under warranty and it should be ready tomorrow or the next day. So why am I writing? Because I'm not convinced. When I drive the car, which is not very often, the voltmeter reads 14V. So that tells me the alternator is putting out the right voltage. Could it be dipping below that when I'm not driving it or looking, sure. But I have not seen it. PLUS, I've been seeing a bunch of posts about the dreaded engine pulling wiring harness. Does that issue still effect 06-es? Shout back to let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Tony Ingham]

Hi All, love the Treg, love the Forum. I have been reading the "problems" forum (I'm on page 54 of 83) to see who else is experiencing the same symptoms and me. So here's the deal.
2006 V8 Level 4 Treg. A few months ago, we started having low battery starting issues. Finally, she refused to start on my wife after filling up with gas (funny, we fill up a lot!) and gave a running gear fault error. Took it to the dealer, they told us nothing wrong and charged us a hundred bucks to diagnose. They told us since they found nothing, VW wouldn't pay so we had to. I had an interesting conversation with them about why I should be paying for an issue they can't find, but told them when this happens again and I know it will, I want my $100 bucks back.

We continued to have some slow cranking issues but she would always start. Finally, we drove to the dealer so they could replace the dash panel and while we were filling out the forms, 5 minutes with headlights on, the car would not start. We brought them out to see and they replaced the battery. We got an oil change for our hundred buck credit. Fine. I knew in my heart, it was not fixed. What caused the battery to die? In any case, they took action and now we have a record of starting issues, great. Well, she's having the trouble again. It's usually when she is warm. If you drive somewhere and then try to start again after sitting for just a few minutes, the problem shows up. If you wait long enough, she will usually start.

A note: one day when I was driving the treg home, I briefly saw a message on the MFI saying something about Consumer Electronics Shutdown. I did not have time to really see it, but looking on this site I found a post about consumers Electric shutdown and that MUST be the same thing.

So the car is at the dealer right now and they say they have found the problem, it's the alternator. They are replacing under warranty and it should be ready tomorrow or the next day. So why am I writing? Because I'm not convinced. When I drive the car, which is not very often, the voltmeter reads 14V. So that tells me the alternator is putting out the right voltage. Could it be dipping below that when I'm not driving it or looking, sure. But I have not seen it. PLUS, I've been seeing a bunch of posts about the dreaded engine pulling wiring harness. Does that issue still effect 06-es? Shout back to let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!!!!

I recently had similar problem and diagnosed a faulty water temperature sensor which was sending erroneous data about the engine temp to the fuel management system.When I stopped engine while engine still cold, the cooling fan was running and dragged down the battery to a no-start voltage ( 8 volts) in about 10 mins.Also when cold engine lost power due no-choke effect and lambda sensor (exhaust) light on.New sensor fixed all,my engine is 3.2 petrol V6.Sensor on LH side engine block,cost £20 in UK.

 

[djseth]

I'm Baaack!

Hi All,
Well, been a while since my last post, but here I am again. The Treg is exhibiting the same behavior. I know the thing has been starting for a while, but I am convinced it was not fixed in the first place. My wife called yesterday and said the Treg would not start, but at least she was home and not on the road. I had driven the car recently and felt the engine was not turning over as fast as it should. But at last it was starting. When I got home I hopped in and gave it a look. Put in the key and all the lights came on. Turned the key and looked at the voltage meter, it read 10.5 volts. Not gonna start with that. Gave her a try and got about a 1/4 turn of the motor and that was it. Looked at the voltmeter and it was at 10.25 V. So, back in the car and called the dealer. They said, probably not the same thing as it has worked for a while now. I told them it is exactly the same symptoms as before AND that if I charged the battery it would be fine for a while. They told me, no loaner, no appointment for 5 days, VW roadside may or may not pay etc... The car does have the Certified Preowned Warranty till 70k as we bought the Treg with 7k miles, he didn't care. So I hung up with him and called another dealer. They had an apt. on Friday and would give us a loaner car. Can't be without the car for 5 days, so I snapped on the battery charger. Three hours later, jump in the car, she starts and I go off. Here is my concern. We still have that appointment on Friday. Because I charged the battery, will the dealer find "nothing wrong" and bill me for $125.00? I was at least a little smart this time and I video taped the whole experience with the gauge showing, no start and all. To me it feels like the car never fully charges. It charges REALLY close, but just a hair off, so eventually, she won't start. It feels like either an alternator or a drain on the battery. Help!

 

[aircooled]

Have them (or an auto parts or battery supplier) load test the battery, probably worth starting with a new battery regardless.

 

[jaxander]

I have been experiencing the same exact thing with a 2005 V8. At first I attributed it to not driving the Touareg regularly and I'd put it on a charger for a bit. However, after several rounds of this, I eventually realized something was wrong. It is currently in the shop(CPO warranty) and I have been told that my Kessy module has failed and is extracting a constant current draw. The module is essentially not allowing the lock system to sleep, so it's always active. I'll know more when I get it back in a few days and see how things go. I'll update this thread when I know more.

 

[wvicary]

These vehicles are very difficult to fault trace for battery drains due to the CAN-BUS system staying awake for so long after key removal. Be sure the dealer is aware of the TSB's related to intermittent battery drains.

 

[djseth]

Thanks guys, this stuff is very helpful. Does anyone know if the battery is covered by the CPO warranty?

 

[jaxander]

Thanks guys, this stuff is very helpful. Does anyone know if the battery is covered by the CPO warranty?

Normally battery is not covered. I know I paid for one 3 weeks after purchase of a CPO Touareg.

 

[BJMRGTIVR6]

ANyone know of a place that sells Touareg batteries...other than a Stealership?

 

[Goalie_Ken]

Interstate makes a good battery for it. They should be easy to find.

 

[fcjasontt]

a customer of mine's 04 V8 is having a similar issue except not really on hot starts. Sit over night and dead next morning.

 

[Phoebe]

Sears

 

[fcjasontt]

I would NOT recommend anyone but the dealer or experienced VW tech replace the battery. It is undernieth the drivers seat and relatively easy to get to but I have seen first hand what happens when you allow someone that has no idea what they are doing, to replace these batteries (ripped carpet that looks ridiculous, missing seat bolts etc...).