Volkswagen Golf / Golf GTI / Jetta. Manual - part 1067

conditions and battery failure 
results.  

Battery, checking

13/2/2005

27-12

 

  

  

If electrolyte level is too high, electrolyte (sulfuric 
acid/water mixture) may leak out and damage 
the surrounding area, i.e.: plenum and engine 
compartment.  

  

  

CAUTION!

 

  

  

Before beginning repairs on the electrical 
system

 

  

  

 

Switch off all electrical consumers.

 

  

  

 

Switch ignition off and remove ignition 
key.

 

  

  

-  Check electrolyte level visually, either via charge 

indicator (if equipped) or from min./max. 
markings on battery housing. 

     Electrolyte level reading from charge indicator 

arrow-.  

CAUTION!

 

Do not use charge indicator to determine 
excessive electrolyte levels. Always check for 
excessive electrolyte levels visually.

 

 Green 

 electrolyte level OK 

 Colorless or yellow 

 critically low electrolyte 

level. Top up with distilled water immediately 

Page 27-14

 

     Electrolyte level reading from min./max. marking on 

battery housing -arrow-.  

 Electrolyte level must be above the minimum 

marking or just reach the maximum marking.

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If no minimum and maximum markings are 
visible on the battery housing (either not molded
in or not visible due to installation location) or if 
the battery housing is black, the sealing plugs 
must be removed. Then determine electrolyte 
level by viewing inside the battery cells.  

  

  

-  First remove plastic foil from cell caps (where 

applicable), being sure not to disturb plastic 
safety warning label on battery. 

    

-  Unscrew cell caps -2-. 

-  Look into individual battery cells to determine 

electrolyte level. 

    

Note:  

On batteries with black housings, obtain accurate 
electrolyte level readings by illuminating inside of 
cells with a flashlight. 

Electrolyte level too low 

 

Page 27-14

   

Electrolyte level too high 

 

Page 27-15

   

No load voltage, checking 

 

Page 27-27

   

Battery test 

 

Page 27-30

   

 Electrolyte level must align with the internal 

electrolyte level indicator (lip) -1-. This equates 
to the external "maximum" marking on the 
battery case. 

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13/2/2005

27-14

 

  

  

Electrolyte level too low   

  

  

-  Fill with distilled water using battery filling bottle 

VAS 5045 (or equivalent) up to the max. 
marking 

  

  

Note:  

     Design of filler support on filling bottle VAS 5045 

prevents overfilling of battery cells and subsequent 
electrolyte leaks. When max. level is reached the 
flow of distilled water into battery cells stops. 

CAUTION!

 

 

Only use distilled water to top-up batteries. 
This prevents electrolyte impurities which 
cause self-discharging.

 

 

DO NOT overfill the battery

 

 

Overfilled batteries can boil over.

 

 

Too little electrolyte reduces the service life 
of the battery.

 

 

Use use of genuine VW battery cell caps 
ensures the different battery cover systems 
are sealed correctly. Only use genuine cell 
caps of the same construction if lost or 
damaged. All cell caps must be equipped 
with an O-ring seal.

 

Battery, checking

13/2/2005