Volkswagen Golf Service & Repair Manual: Charging battery in refresh charge mode with battery charger -VAS 5903-

WARNING

Danger of injury! Observe warning notices and safety regulations → Chapter!

WARNING It is not permissible to test or charge batteries whose magic eye shows light yellow. Do not slave/jump start the vehicle!

Danger of explosion when checking and charging or slave/jump starting.

These batteries must be renewed.

Caution The operating mode “refresh charge” is not permitted on VW vehicles as the voltage peaks will damage the onboard electronics. If there is a requirement to use “refresh charge” mode the battery must be disconnected from the onboard supply.

Caution When charging always set the battery charger to the correct type of battery → operating instructions for battery chargerVAS 5903!

The “refresh charge” mode is suitable for:

Wet batteries, where distilled water can be replenished.

Do not use operating mode “refresh charge” with maintenance-free wet batteries.

The “refresh charge (refr)” operating mode is only used on batteries suspected of being defective (e.g. sulphation). The battery will be charged to maximum specific gravity and the plates will be reactivated (dissipation of sulphur layer).

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Battery charger -VAS 5900-

Note

The battery must have a temperature of at least 10 °C.

Switch off ignition and all electrical consumers.
Connect charger plug to battery charger. The last selected operating mode will appear on display → Chapter.

Charging battery in refresh charge mode with battery charger -VAS 5903-

Set battery to respective operating mode with INFO.

In the display the symbol -1- for “refresh charge for wet batteries” or symbol -2- for “refresh charge for gel/absorbent glass mat batteries” will appear.

Set battery capacity (Ah) of battery for charging using respective button “Up”↑ or “Down”↓.
Connect red terminal clamp “+” to positive terminal on battery.

Note In vehicles with start/stop function and battery monitor control unit -J367- fitted, black terminal clamp must be connected to body earth. Connecting it to battery negative terminal will cause start/stop system to malfunction.

Connect black terminal clamp “-” to negative terminal.

The charger unit recognises the voltage required for the connected battery (6 V, 12 V or 24 V) and initiates the charging sequence.

At a charge condition of approx. 80 - 85% of the battery voltage, the battery charger switches to the “final charge” mode. The fourth bar appears in display -1-. The battery is ready for use.

Note The success of the “refresh charge” depends on the severity of the sulphation of the battery.

Possible faults and fault rectification:

1 -	Displayed battery voltage is not as per nominal voltage:

Press respective button “Up”↑ or “Down”↓ until charging sequence starts.

2 -	Displayed battery voltage is not as per nominal voltage – charging sequence already started:

Press START / STOP twice.
Press respective button “Up”↑ or “Down”↓ until charging sequence starts.

3 -	Battery charger does not detect a battery, when battery voltage is less than 2 V:

Display remains unchanged.

The operating mode and ampere hours (Ah) as set are displayed.

Ending battery charging sequence:

Press START / STOP.
Disconnect black terminal clamp “-” of charger from negative terminal.
Disconnect red terminal clamp “+” of charger from positive terminal on battery.
Pull charger plug out of battery charger.

Charging battery in refresh charge mode with battery charger -VAS 5903-