12v Starter Battery Help

[Lummex]

Hi All,

Looking for some help/advice please. My Mum and Dad bought a T6.1 camper conversion which was delivered new in April 24. My Dad died in July 24 and mum hasn't used the van since their one and only trip in May & June 24, though has kept it connected to their EHU.

She messaged me the other day to say the central locking wasn't working and she couldn't get in, so I assumed flat 12v starter battery, so bought her a Noco GB40 to get it started and a Noco Genius 5 to charge it and keep it conditioned so this wouldn't happen again.

We visited today so off I went with my new toys to sort it out. The GB40 didn't recognise a battery after connecting to the +ve battery terminal and a bolt head on the chassis (short cables so couldn't reach much else). It also didn't recognise a battery when connecting to the -ve battery terminal.

I assumed the battery must be very low, so connected the Genius5 (to engine lift bracket and +ve battery terminal) to put some charge in, and it pulsed away quite happily at <25% indicator showing. When connected though, I can hear a ?solenoid clicking, some interior instrument lights strobe, and the rear VIN lights also strobe.

I left it on charge for over 3 hours (checking every 30 mins as the strobing made me nervous but I couldn't find anything about it online) expecting to have put enough charge into it for the GB40 to recognise it and let me jump it, but the GB40 still didn't recognise it. There is still no power at all - no central locking, nothing powers up when I turn the ignition, just nothing.

In desperation I activated the override on the GB40, but when I entered the cabin and turned the ignition there was still no power at all. I've never jumped a T6 before, but have done many cars with the Noco GBs and they have always provided power.

I'm completely at a loss, and as I don't live particularly close to my Mum I've unplugged everything apart from the EHU.

Any help or advice at this point would be massively appreciated. Still no power at all to central locking or ignition.

TL;DR - no power even after charging, and can't jump T6.1

Thanks

Lummex

 

[sparkzer]

First port of call id say given the situation would be make use of VW assist which should be on the vehicle given its age. let them diagnose it.

It does sound like the starter battery is completely foobared though.

 

[ginkster]

Take the battery out or disconnect it completely and then try charging it for 24hrs+. If that doesn’t work the battery is knackered unfortunately (assuming the charger is ok).

 

[Lummex]

First port of call id say given the situation would be make use of VW assist which should be on the vehicle given its age. let them diagnose it.

It does sound like the starter battery is completely foobared though.

Thank you, I wasn't aware of VW Assist before. I'll definitely be giving them a call! Thanks for taking the time to read and respond, I really appreciate it.

 

[Lummex]

Take the battery out or disconnect it completely and then try charging it for 24hrs+. If that doesn’t work the battery is knackered unfortunately (assuming the charger is ok).

I did consider this, but as the manual said this must only be done by a service center etc, and as there were way more gubbins connected to it than in my car, I passed on that option. I'll give VW Assist a call now I know it's a thing. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond though, I really appreciate it.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Just reading a few threads on the forum, the GB40 will struggle or fail to start our vans if the starter battery is low low. GB70 or the newer GBX75 will do it though.

 

[Drive Wayne]

From the main man...

Which Jump Starter?

NOCO GBX155 - its in my basket https://amzn.to/3hEznm3 .... or Halfords Trade +++++++++++++++++++ hmmm. . . . . . . . decisions decisions . Out of curiosity why do you need so many @Dellmassive? I know they are great products but.... Do you need for work? I know I...

www.t6forum.com

 

[ginkster]

I did consider this, but as the manual said this must only be done by a service center etc, and as there were way more gubbins connected to it than in my car, I passed on that option. I'll give VW Assist a call now I know it's a thing. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond though, I really appreciate it.

Hope it works out with VW Assist. If not taking the battery out, or disconnecting it, is a non issue. The warning is just VW touting for business. Probably says the washer fluid needs to be done by them too!

It will reset the trip computer, MPG etc and the one-shot electric windows will need resetting but that is all. To reset the windows hold the button up for about 5 secs.

 

[Lummex]

Just reading a few threads on the forum, the GB40 will struggle or fail to start our vans if the starter battery is low low. GB70 or the newer GBX75 will do it though.

Thank you, my concern was it didn't seem to have any power at all, even with that connected. In the vehicles I've had, when I've connected the jump starter it will supply power to light up the dash at ignition 1, then (hopefully) start at ignition 2. There was no power at all at ignition 1, even after charging for a few hours, and then connecting the jump pack. I'll look into a GB70/GBX75, thanks!

 

[Lummex]

Hope it works out with VW Assist. If not taking the battery out, or disconnecting it, is a non issue. The warning is just VW touting for business. Probably says the washer fluid needs to be done by them too!

It will reset the trip computer, MPG etc and the one-shot electric windows will need resetting but that is all. To reset the windows hold the button up for about 5 secs.

Thanks very much, they're booked in and coming later this week.

 

[Lummex]

Would anyone be able to tell me the screw size for the +ve terminal and a suitable grounding point for eyelet terminals for the Genius5? I presume the headlight bracket would be suitable? I'd like to connect something like this so Mum can just plug in with the quick connect, rather than mess about with clamps: NOCO - X-Connect Eyelet Terminal - GC002 but they do it in M6, M8, and M10 and as I live quite a way from her, I can't just pop round to measure myself.

I'd also generally like to say thank you to everyone, I appreciate all the guidance and help given. This is definitely one of the nicest forums I've been on!

 

[Lummex]

Just reading a few threads on the forum, the GB40 will struggle or fail to start our vans if the starter battery is low low. GB70 or the newer GBX75 will do it though.

Ordered a GBX75, cheers!

 

[Drive Wayne]

Ordered a GBX75, cheers!

You will now need VIP membership so that you can sell your old GB40 on here! £12.99 for a whole year, best value purchase ever!

 

[Lummex]

You will now need VIP membership so that you can sell your old GB40 on here! £12.99 for a whole year, best value purchase ever!

Ha! Strong sales pitch straight out the gate! The GB40 will go into my Astra petrol (where I hope it's more successful!), but will definitely think about the membership!

Now, if someone could either: 1) tell me of a product that can clamp on the negative terminal after the shunt that I can connect the eyelet terminal to, or

2) a simple screw on the chassis I can connect to that won't mean the engine drops out of the bay when I unscrew a screw connected to the light bracket,

include some pictures and I think that membership would be a cert!

 

[Drive Wayne]

Ha! Strong sales pitch straight out the gate! The GB40 will go into my Astra petrol (where I hope it's more successful!), but will definitely think about the membership!

Now, if someone could either: 1) tell me of a product that can clamp on the negative terminal after the shunt that I can connect the eyelet terminal to, or

2) a simple screw on the chassis I can connect to that won't mean the engine drops out of the bay when I unscrew a screw connected to the light bracket,

include some pictures and I think that membership would be a cert!

Our @roadtripper posted a lovely photo a while ago of the bolt to the rhs of the battery. I'll post one later if nobody else has...

 

[Lummex]

Our @roadtripper posted a lovely photo a while ago of the bolt to the rhs of the battery. I'll post one later if nobody else has...

I saw that one, but couldn't see a bolt after the shunt, only before it. I'll have to have another look

 

[ginkster]

Ha! Strong sales pitch straight out the gate! The GB40 will go into my Astra petrol (where I hope it's more successful!), but will definitely think about the membership!

Now, if someone could either: 1) tell me of a product that can clamp on the negative terminal after the shunt that I can connect the eyelet terminal to, or

2) a simple screw on the chassis I can connect to that won't mean the engine drops out of the bay when I unscrew a screw connected to the light bracket,

include some pictures and I think that membership would be a cert!

The clamp bolts on my battery (T6) are M6. There is no easy way to clamp to the negative close to (but after) the shunt so easiest to use one of the 2 bolts to the right of the positive - marked below:



There is also a chassis ground point in the scuttle which can be seen through the slatted bit of plastic just above the battery - the point is inline with the negative side. Would mean some dismantling to get to it. Just visible on this pic:

 

[n10n]

There’s also one in the e-box under the battery, safe from weather. Such a shame all ground points are so hard to reach!

 

[Lummex]

Thanks to @Drive Wayne 's exceptional sales pitch, and @ginkster & @n10n 's lovely photos, as promised I've subbed for a year. Thank you all very very much. I'll report back after VW assist have been, and after I've fitted the charger.

Thanks again all. Have a great new year!