Checking the electrolyte level
You may need distilled water to do the job.
In serial batteries, once filled with electrolyte, under normal conditions, it is enough for the entire battery life. However, at high outside temperatures and after charging the battery, as well as during maintenance, it is necessary to check the electrolyte level.
1. The battery is located in the engine compartment. Open the battery cover by opening the clips and push the cover down.
2. Check the electrolyte level from the outside through the transparent battery case. If in one of the sections the electrolyte level drops below the MIN·mark, unscrew the plug.
Warning: If the electrolyte level cannot be determined, remove the plug and look into the battery. Do not use open fire for this. There is a risk of explosion!
3. The middle plugs are closed by a fuse box. To remove the unit, squeeze the tabs and open the cover.
4. Disconnect the negative cable (–) battery with the ignition off.
Warning: As a result, information is erased from the electronic memory units, such as the code of the radio receiver. Without a code, the radio can only be switched on by the manufacturer or by an AUDI workshop. Therefore, read the notes in the subsection Removing and installing the battery.
5. As a result, information is erased from the electronic memory units, such as the radio code. Without a code, the radio can only be switched on by the manufacturer or by an AUDI workshop. Therefore, read the notes in the subsection Removing and installing the battery.
6. Fill each section separately with distilled water up to the MAX mark.
7. Screw in and tighten the plug.
8. Reinsert the main fuse box and secure it with the nut -2-.
9. Finally, charge the battery, while referring to the subsection Battery check, care and charging.
10. If a battery failure is suspected, measure the quiescent voltage, referring to the following subsection.
11. Attach the negative cable (–) to the battery.
Warning: Activate the automatic safety power windows, enter the radio code, set the clock, while referring to the section Automatic transmission and models with all-wheel drive.
12. Secure the battery cover with clips.
Checking the fastening of the battery terminals and holder
Warning: If the battery is loose or the terminals are loose, the result may be premature failure of the battery due to vibration, fire in the cables, or malfunction of the electrical equipment. Since the data of electronic memory units, for example, a radio receiver, is erased when the battery is not connected, read the subsection Removing and installing the battery and subsection Entering the radio code.
1. Move the battery terminals in different directions and check the reliability of their fastening, tighten if necessary.
2. If the battery is loose, tighten the mounting bolt to 20 Nm.
Quiescent voltage test
The condition of the battery is checked by measuring the voltage with a voltmeter connected between the poles of the battery.
1. Disconnect the battery, while referring to the subsection Removing and installing the battery.
2. The battery must be disconnected 2 hours before the test.
3. Attach a voltmeter to the battery terminals and measure the voltage.
4. Voltage rating:
- 12.5V or more - battery in good condition
- 12.4 V or less - the battery is in poor condition and needs to be charged or replaced with a new one.
5. Attach the negative cable (–).
Warning: Activate the automatic power windows, and also set the clock and enter the radio code, while referring to the subsection Removing and installing the battery and subsectionEntering the radio code.
Battery test under load
1. Attach a voltmeter to the battery terminals.
2. Start the engine and check the voltage.
3. When starting the engine with a fully charged battery, the voltage should not fall below 10 V (at an electrolyte temperature of about +20°С).
4. If the voltage drops sharply and the density of the electrolyte in different sections is different, the battery is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Electrolyte Density Check
The density of the electrolyte, combined with the voltage, gives an accurate indication of the state of charge of the battery. A densimeter is used to check the density of the electrolyte. When checking the battery, the temperature of the electrolyte must be at least +10°C.
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Remove all plugs from the battery. If there is a roof, remove it first with a screwdriver.
3. Insert the densimeter into one of the sections of the battery and collect enough electrolyte to float the float. The greater the specific gravity (density) electrolyte, the more the float floats. On a scale, you can read the density of the electrolyte in units of specific gravity (g/ml) or in degrees Baumé (+°Be).
4. The density of the electrolyte must be at least 1.24 g/ml - refer to Specifications. If the density is low, the battery needs to be charged.
5. Check each section in order. All sections must have the same density (the biggest difference is 0.04 g/ml). If the difference is greater, the battery is defective.
Charging the battery
Warning: Before charging the battery, please read the safety notes in subsection Removing and installing the battery.
1. Do not disconnect the battery while the engine is running.
2. Never short-circuit a battery, i.e. do not connect positive (+) and negative poles (–). The battery will get hot and may crack.
3. Do not use open flame near the battery. The electrolyte is toxic. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Otherwise, flush the electrolyte with plenty of water.
4. For a battery with a central gas outlet, when charging, plugs (cross slot) do not turn out.
5. Allow a frozen battery to thaw before charging. A charged battery freezes at about 65°C, a semi-charged battery at about 30°C and a discharged battery at about 12°C. After thawing, check the battery for cracks. Replace if necessary.
6. When charging the battery with a normal charger or fast charger, remove the battery. At a minimum, disconnect the negative (–) and positive cable (+).
When using a portable charger (small current) charging can be done without removing the battery. The connecting cable to the on-board network does not need to be disconnected. It is necessary, of course, to take into account the data of the battery manufacturer.
Charger
1. Remove the battery.
2. Check electrolyte level. If necessary, top up with distilled water, while referring to the relevant Section.
3. Charge the battery only in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. When charging the battery without removing it from the vehicle, open the hood.
4. Check that the gas outlet hose is not kinked and the outlet pipe is not clogged.
5. If the fast charger is ampere-adjustable, set the charge current to 10% of the battery capacity, i.e. with a capacity of 50 Ah, set the current to about 5 A. The charging time can be taken equal to 10 hours.
6. With the device turned off, connect the positive cable to charge (+) devices to the positive pole (+) batteries. Negative cable (–) devices connect to the negative pole of the battery (–).
7. Insert the mains plug of the charging device into a socket. If necessary, turn on the device.
8. If the battery is being charged with DC current, check the temperature of the battery by placing your hand on the battery. The temperature of the electrolyte during charging should not exceed +55°C. Otherwise, interrupt the charging process or reduce the charging current.
9. Turn off the device after charging is complete (if it is possible) and disconnect the mains plug of the charger.
10. Disconnect the charger cable from the battery.
11. Check the battery charge, while referring to the subsection Battery check, care and charging.
12. Establish the battery into place, at the same time address to the corresponding Section.
Notes for a battery with plugs
1. Before charging, unscrew the plugs from the battery or remove the cover with a narrow screwdriver and slightly close the holes with it. Thus, splashing of the electrolyte due to the formation of gases will be excluded.
2. Charge until gas flows abundantly from all sections, and the voltage and density of the electrolyte during three measurements following one after another within three hours will not change.
3. After the battery is fully charged, allow it to pass gases for 20 minutes. Then close the plugs.
Charging a severely discharged and sulphated battery
Battery that has not been used for a long time (for example, when the car is parked for a long time), discharges and sulfates over time. If the open circuit voltage of the battery is below 11.6 V, then the battery is considered to be heavily discharged. Check rest voltage. In a heavily discharged battery, the electrolyte consists of almost nothing but water.
Warning: In sub-zero temperatures, such a battery may freeze and crack the battery case.
Warning: A severely discharged battery is sulphated, i.e. large poorly soluble crystals of lead sulfide are formed on the surface of the electrodes. The electrolyte loses its transparency and acquires a faint white color.
Warning: If a heavily discharged battery is charged immediately after being discharged, sulfation will reoccur. Otherwise, the battery plates continue to harden and the ability to charge the battery for a long time remains limited.
Warning: A heavily discharged and sulphated battery must be charged at a reduced current of about 5%, i.e. with, for example, a battery capacity of 60 Ah, the charging current should be 3 A.
Warning: Charge voltage should be no more than 14.4V.
Warning: Never charge a heavily discharged battery with a fast charger.
Quick Charge/Startup Assistance
1. Use a quick charger to charge the battery solely to start the vehicle. In this case, the charging current is 20% or more of the battery capacity. In this case, the battery is damaged, because it is exposed to high currents. A battery that has not been used for a long time and is heavily discharged should not be charged with a quick charger, as it will this leads to sulfation.
Battery storage
2. If the car has not been used for more than two months, the battery must be removed and charged. The optimum battery storage temperature is between 0 and +27°C. At these temperatures, battery self-discharge is minimal. The battery must be charged at least once every two months, otherwise it becomes unusable.
Battery that has not been used for a long time (e.g. the vehicle has not been used), is discharged and, in addition, can be sulfated. If such a battery is charged by a fast charger, it will not accept the charging current or become too fast due to sulfation "fully" charged. Actually the battery is damaged.
Before identifying a battery as damaged, check the following:
3. electrolyte density. If the difference between the densities in individual sections does not exceed 0.04 g/ml, then it is necessary to charge the battery with a normal charger.
4. After charging, test the battery under load. If the battery performance is below the Specifications, the battery is damaged.
5. If the electrolyte density in one or two adjacent sections differs markedly (for example, in five sections 1.16 g / ml, and in the sixth 1.08 g / ml) The battery has a short circuit and needs to be replaced.
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