Starting problem, electrics go crazy!

[Scirocco_Jack]

Hi all,

I have a 2011 Scirocco and have experienced this problem In the last week, First last Wednesday, Got in my car as usual and then as I tried to start her up the dashboard lights kind of flickered and then the starter just made a kind of clicking noise... then the windows went up and down and then not at all...radio and air con went off too. After about 5 minutes of sitting there first it came up airbag error and then computer error (The abbriation eludes me)... After fiddling with a few things and looking in the handbook and under the bonnet I locked her up and waited about 10 mins before trying again... this time I wiggled the steering wheel first before starting her up to get the lock off, And it worked fine. Thought it may be a one off as the car was fine all weekend.
Got in her yesterday (Tuesday) and had the same problem... After waiting for about 30 mins I found a similar post on this forum saying they had the same just with Windows going crazy and it mentioned getting the steering lock off first and thats when i remembered doimg the same the week before... in that post it mentioned its a known thought and that it's the starter motor... Just wondered if anyone has any info on this and what to Do? Gonna ring my local dealer when I get a moment but thought it would be wise to go in with some prior knowledge.
Cheers for any help!
Jack.

[blower]

Sounds like your battery is dead/dying - it will be at the end of its life and unable to consistently hold a good charge and put out enough current for the starter.

You have all the classic signs of this on a VAG car, with random errors (especially airbag warnings) as the voltage drops too low.
The clicking is the starter motor solenoid trying to engage the starter and as it does so the battery voltage sags.

Firstly check the terminals to the battery are tight, if they are - get a new battery.

If you do mainly short journeys then its common for a battery to fail in as little as 2-3 years.

[Cuprabob]

My money would be on it being the battery too.

[mattyfitz]

Happend to me early this year and was the battery

[chelspeed]

Likewise. Just replace it. Even if it seems to recover it will happen again in a few weeks as the temps drop and battery load increases.

[Scirocco_Jack]

Thanks guys! I think I will just replace it then. Any tips on the best batterys or any tips when changing a battery in a scirocco?

[Cuprabob]

I recently changed my battery and went for a Bosch S5. Although I bought mine from ECP via Amazon, normally Costco or these guys are the cheapest https://www.tayna.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On my car the OEM battery was an Exide but I prefer Bosch or Varta batteries.

Changing the battery is straightforward but when you do start up after the battery is disconnected the steering and ESP warning lights remain on until the car is driven a short distance until the steering angle sensor calibrates. My car doesn't have Start / Stop which may complicate things, if your car has it.

[blower]

I've just replaced mine a few weeks ago and had the above symptoms...i do a lot of short journeys and usually my batteries are dead within 3 years.
To counter that i have bought a battery that's designed to charge faster and hence works better for short journeys (its the fact that the battery never gets a full charge is what kills it over time).

EA640 - Exide Premium 64Ah....you can get them for around £60 on ebay.

I highly recommend Exide Premium regardless if you do short journeys or not, but particularly so if you do. First thing i noticed is how much faster the engine cranks - previous new batteries never cranked it this fast

[Scirocco_Jack]

Cheers for all the replies, One last question, Does the battery need to be 'learned' to the car with any special equipment or is it just a straight swap?

[blower]

Straight swap on these engines.