AM0665

Well, 5 1/2 years and 35K mi into happy driving my battery gave up.
Original battery 12 v 72 Ah 380 A DIN 640 A EN/SAE 5K0915105G size 48 (H6) L11” x W6-⅞” MOLL DE MLA, sealed and vented.
I have a new one installed now, but the experience has sure been different from a slowly dying one on my older VWs, and more complex than do-it-yourself switching of 2 cables and loosening a tie-down bolt.
Not quite rocket science, but assuming that this problem can happen in the middle of nowhere, shouldn't I have had sufficient user diagnostic and replacement instructions in my Owner's Manual? I haven't seen any better instruction from Audi online.

Looking forward to other owners' comments on such a problem.

- over the last 2 months it has been taking a few cranks to get it started; then suddenly it would no longer start. Just enough juice left to activate the door key and a few lights, not enough to turn the windshield wipers or roll down the windows; not as bad as some owners not even being able to unlock the door or remove the key from the ignition switch. I couldn't get it jump started.
- Audi informed me that, if I can get it into the shop, the cost would be for an Interstate replacement (no OEM) $136 + $75 labor. So I figured I'd buy the battery and try to install myself
- I searched the Internet and found lots of reasons why it no longer is a simple job; fortunately I found a few videos for similar situations
- many owners also mention that sudden battery death is typical
- before disconnecting the old battery, one needs to connect a power source, enough to prevent the electrical system from resetting. In my case I had a portable jump starter battery
- a downside of the miniaturization and tighter packaging of engine components: getting to the tie-down-bolt at the bottom of the battery has become a "surgical procedure": I needed a 10" extension to a 13mm socket wrench, plus a telescoping magnet to extract the bracket and bolt. Beware not to loose grip of these pieces!!! My wife's thin hands and fingers may have reached in there, otherwise one needs to remove the air filter for access.
- unlike the old battery with handles, the new Costco Interstate model (same Ah, A and CCA specs as those recommended by Audi) needed to be roped up in order to lower it into the tight bay
- the battery top cover is so flimsy that the closing latch broke off; for now I am using electrical tape to achieve a good seal
- so we'll see what Costco's 42 month warranty does for me, compared to Interstate selling 18 mo or 36 mo models.

Dr_Evil

Aren't you going to sell back your car to Audi? Get the cheapest battery you can, even used.