My 4 year old Golf is fitted with a Varta battery that has a small circular window which is usually green when optimally charged etc. This was the case about three weeks ago when I had a clean around the engine bay, which I do at regular intervals.
Yesterday when I had another clean around i noticed that the green spot was not now showing even though the car starts as though it is mid summer temperatures and there is no other evidence that the battery is on its 'last legs' so to speak.
Any comments would be welcome
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It could need charging, or the electrolyte might be low.
If possible, top up to the correct level with distilled water. (Some batteries can be opened and topped up, others are sealed).
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OG - on the Corolla and Accord they have similar indicators (red and blue) and there is a little label beside the indicator that tells me what a change in colour would mean - if the red fades then it needs a top up and if the blue fades it needs a charge. Does the Varta battery have anything similar ?
It will be one or the other as astrabob says - sound like it might be electrolyte if it is still starting well.
PS - have you made a decision on the Mk VI ??
Edited by Pendlebury on 07/01/2009 at 19:19
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The indicator is a float which changes position according to the SG and level of the electrolyte. Varta batteries show green for "OK" (1 cell only though!), black for low SG (discharged) and clear for low electrolyte level.
If you peel back the sticky labels on top of the battery, you can usually top the cells up. The indicator is of extremely limited use - it's usually the end cells of a battery which fail first as they don't get enough heat to enable effective charging to take place under extreme conditions.
659.
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Thanks, one and all.
Perhaps I'll read the manual to see whether it says anything. There are some sticky labels/covers in the vicinity of the little window but I don't want to remove it if I exposes some top-up hole which cannot be resealed easily. Come to think of it, there is a symbol, I think, which refers one to the manual. When the weather warms up a bit I'll probe further - perhaps this weekend.
No. I haven't made my mind up yet, as it is currently in a very confused state with domestic problems that have suddenly arisen concerning partner health.
Edited by oldgit on 07/01/2009 at 21:49
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My 53 Vectra battery was a Vauxhall branded one with an inspection circle. It failed on me (clicking) about three/four weeks ago and the circle was black. I charged it up on trickle and it turned dark green. I ran the car every day on two 40 mile runs over the Xmas fortnight and after all that the indicator was bright green. The car last ran on Monday this week. I went to start it yesterday (Wed) after the minus 10 temps on Tues night and it was dead again - it just clicked. I bought a new battery (an Energizer) today.
My conclusion is that the indicator doesn't tell you anything about the general condition of the battery (ie whether it's kapput), merely the current level of charge at any given time.
Edited by Marc on 08/01/2009 at 18:06
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I
Edited by KenC on 11/02/2012 at 17:57
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Ken - try using Google Chrome or Firefox instead of Useless Explorer.
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