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.

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