VW Passat battery change

mconigol

Hi all, i'm just wondering if anybody has replaced a battery in a 04 passat before. Apart from taking off the cover (which seems a bloody nightmare!) is there anything I should be concerned about i.e. problems with the alarm, radio etc....i've read online that some people have problems with the alarm?...anything I should watch out for??

crosstownk

Keep the keys in your pocket and not in the ignition and you should be OK.

Tropheus

If you still have the factory fitted radio, you will need the code when you reconnect the batter. Otherwise, nothing else to worry about in that respect.

They are a bit of a bugger to get out. I changed the one on my 2003 Audi Allroad which is basically the same chassis ast the Passat. There is a single bolt securing a bracket with holds the battery on place. Once you undo that and release the bracket, the battery should come out (theoretically). However, it's a tight fit and heavy so it took two people to lift mine out.

Be aware that VAG tend to make odd sized batteries. I got a Varta replacement of the same spec which was listed by Varta as fitting the Allroad. However, it was too wide and didn't fit. The only place to get a battery of the correct size was from a dealer. It actually wasn't that expensive compared to Halfords and others which was a pleasant surprise.

nogoodnamesleft

The following link (with Pics) is to do with the plenum chamber but to facilitate that you have to remove the battery.

I removed mine on my own as the above job needed doing so I just knelt on top of the engine to bet a proper grip on it.

Might be handy to have the radio code as mentioned although in my case the radio entered SAFE mode, then LEARN mode and then started working normally within 30seconds of reconnecting the battery

http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/

Tropheus

Had to do that job on my Father in Law's Passat (2001). I don't recall taking the battery out though, but maybe I did.

We were wondering why the windows were steaming up all the time. Turned out the chamber was full of water. Obviously a common problem.

Kid Nothing

ksimpson wrote: »

Had to do that job on my Father in Law's Passat (2001). I don't recall taking the battery out though, but maybe I did.

You changed his battery but you're not sure if you took out the battery?!!:pac:

nogoodnamesleft

Well its near impossible to access the drain plug holes underneath the battery tray with the battery in place as you have to take the tray out to reach them

Tropheus

Kid Nothing wrote: »

You changed his battery but you're not sure if you took out the battery?!!:pac:

Read again, changed the battery on my Audi, not the Passat. "that job" was referring to what the previous poster had linked to.

Tropheus

nogoodnamesleft wrote: »

Well its near impossible to access the drain plug holes underneath the battery tray with the battery in place as you have to take the tray out to reach them

Must have removed it then. If I can't remember it, then it can't have been as big a pain as removing the Allroad battery.