Audi A4: Visual Inspection
WARNING
Risk of injury. Follow all warning messages and
safety precautions. Refer to
→ Chapter "Warnings and Safety Precautions".
Before any extensive measurements are taken, visually
inspect the exterior of the battery, the connections, and the
secure installation of the Battery -A-.
Caution
- An improperly secured Battery -A- can lead to
damage.
- Excessive vibration due to an improperly secured
battery will reduce the battery service life, and the
battery hold-down bracket could damage the battery
housing and lead to electrolyte leakage.
- Make sure the Battery -A- is secure. Tighten the
mounting bolt to the tightening specification, if
necessary.
Visual Inspection Points
- Damage to the battery case. Acid can leak out if the case is
damaged. Battery acid that has leaked out can cause severe
damage to the vehicle. Acid that has leaked onto any part of the
vehicle should be immediately treated with acid neutralizer or
soap solution.
- Damage on the battery posts. If the battery terminals are
damaged, contact with battery terminals clamps cannot be
guaranteed. When connecting the battery terminal clamps, always
keep the tightening specification for the corresponding vehicle
from the repair manual in mind. Refer to
→ Electrical Equipment; Rep. Gr.27; Battery. If the
battery post clamps are not correctly installed and secured, the
wiring may burn. Substantial malfunctions to the electrical
system are a consequence. Safe operation of the vehicle can no
longer be guaranteed.
Visual Indicator Color Display, Checking
3-Color Visual Indicator, Checking, through 03/2008
WARNING
Risk of injury. Follow all warning messages and
safety precautions. Refer to
→ Chapter "Warnings and Safety Precautions".
Visual Indicator General Information:
The visual indicator provides information concerning the
electrolyte level and the Battery -A- charge level.
To obtain an accurate reading, gently tap the charge
indicator with a screwdriver handle or rock vehicle slightly. By
doing this, the air bubbles that occur normally during battery
charging (even during vehicle operation) that adversely affect
charge indicator reading will be displaced. Thereby, the color
indicator of the visual indicator is more accurate.
Note
- Air bubbles can form under the visual indicator, especially
if a Battery -A- was recharged or if the Battery -A- was charged
while driving. These bubbles may cause the visual indicator to
read inaccurately.
- As the charge indicator is located in a single cell, the
indication is only valid for that cell. An exact assessment of
battery condition should always be confirmed by performing
battery test. Refer to
→ Chapter "Battery Load Test".
- The visual indicator can be installed at various locations
on top of the Battery -A-.
There Are Three Possible Color Indications
- "Green": the Battery -A- is
sufficiently charged.
- "Black": the Battery -A- is
partially charged, the charge level is less than 65% or
discharged.
- "No color/bright yellow": the
Battery -A- must be replaced.
WARNING
Do not check or charge a Battery -A- when the visual
indicator has "no color or is
bright yellow". Jump starting must not be used!
There is a risk of explosion during testing,
charging or jump starting.
These Batteries -A- must be replaced.
2-Color Visual Indicator, Checking, from 04/2008
WARNING
Risk of injury. Follow all warning messages and
safety precautions. Refer to
→ Chapter "Warnings and Safety Precautions".
Visual Indicator General Information
The "green" visual indicator for
the charge level indicator is no longer used for these Batteries
-A-. Only "black" or
"no color or bright yellow" are
used.
The visual indicator shows the Battery -A- electrolyte
level.
It is no longer possible to read the Battery -A- charge
level using the visual indicator. It is necessary to perform a
battery test. Refer to
→ Chapter "Battery Load Test".
To obtain an accurate reading, gently tap the charge
indicator with a screwdriver handle or rock vehicle slightly. By
doing this, the air bubbles that occur normally during battery
charging (even during vehicle operation) that adversely affect
charge indicator reading will be displaced. Thereby, the color
indicator of the visual indicator is more accurate.
Note
- Air bubbles can form under the visual indicator, especially
if a Battery -A- was recharged or if the Battery -A- was charged
while driving. These bubbles may cause the visual indicator to
read inaccurately.
- As the charge indicator is located in a single cell, the
indication is only valid for that cell. An exact assessment of
battery condition should always be confirmed by performing
battery test. Refer to
→ Chapter "Battery Load Test".
- The visual indicator can be installed at various locations
on top of the Battery -A-.
Two Visual Indicators Are Possible
- "black": the electrolyte level
is OK
- "No color or light yellow":
electrolyte level too low. Replace the Battery -A-.
WARNING
Do not check or charge a Battery -A- when the visual
indicator has "no color or is
bright yellow". Jump starting must not be used!
There is a risk of explosion during testing,
charging or jump starting.
These Batteries -A- must be replaced.
Battery Test with Vehicle Diagnostic Tester
The Battery -A- can also be checked using the Vehicle
Diagnostic Tester when it is installed and without being
connected to a battery charger.
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Vehicle Diagnostic Tester
Test Prerequisites
- No battery charger connected
- Battery -A- is connected.
- Battery temperature at least +10 ºC (50 ºF).
Procedure
Vehicle Diagnostic Tester is attached.
- Select the Diagnostic mode and
start the diagnostics.
- Select the tab Test Plan.
- Select Select Individual Tests
and choose the following sequence.
- Body
- Electrical Equipment
- 27 - Starter, voltage supply
- Electrical Components
- A - Battery, Checking
The Vehicle Diagnostic Tester continues with the battery
test from here on.
READ NEXT:
General Description:
WARNING
Risk of injury. Follow all warning messages and
safety precautions. Refer to
→ Chapter "Warnings and Safety Precautions".
It is not necessary to disconne
WARNING
Risk of injury. Follow all warning messages and
safety precautions. Refer to
→ Chapter "Warnings and Safety Precautions".
It is not necessary to disconnect or remove the Batt
WARNING
Do not check or charge a Battery -A- when the visual
indicator has "no color or is
bright yellow". Jump starting must not be used!
There is a risk of explosion during testing,
char
SEE MORE:
Fig. 6 Center display: adjusting the display
Switching the view
Applies to: Audi virtual cockpit
Press the VIEW button to switch between the
default view (1) and the enhanced view (2).
Adjusting the layout
Applies to: Audi virtual cockpit
Depending on the vehicle equipment, various layouts
may
Drive Axle, Disassembling and Assembling, Outer CV Joint
Special tools and workshop equipment required
Locking ring pliers, commercially available
Sealant -D454 300 A2-. Refer to the Parts Catalog.
Caution
This procedure contains mandatory replaceable parts.
Refer to component overview