VW Golf Hybrid Charging System Failure Alert

A similar issue occurred with my VW Passat GTE Hybrid (2019). With some experience working on cars, I recognized comparable symptoms, battery low warnings, sluggish starter motor performance, and electrical system warnings. Initially, I suspected just a weak battery, but the workshop diagnosed a defective generator that was failing to properly charge the hybrid system. The symptoms matched yours exactly, flickering lights, weak engine performance, and multiple electrical warnings. The repair involved: Complete generator replacement, System diagnostic scan, Recalibration of charging system, Testing of all electrical components Total cost was 960€ including parts and labor. The repair resolved all issues and the car has been running perfectly since. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Current mileage, Specific error codes stored, When the symptoms first appeared, Whether the issues occur more during cold or warm weather, If the car has had any previous electrical repairs The generator issues in hybrid systems can be complex, so these details would help determine if your situation matches what I experienced with my Passat.

Thanks for sharing that experience. My Golf just had its last service at 106386km and the technician didnt notice any issues then. Since your repair scenario sounds very similar, the alternator issue might indeed be the root cause for my car too. The engine misfire and electrical problems started showing up about 2 weeks after that service. The battery low warning appears mostly during cold morning starts, and I notice the car electronics acting up more in damp weather. This failure pattern matches what you described perfectly. A full generator replacement seems inevitable based on the matching symptoms. Will schedule a diagnostic check to confirm before proceeding with repairs. Did your repair also require any additional testing of the hybrid system components beyond the standard checks?

Your experience matches mine exactly. After the generator replacement on my Passat, they did run extensive testing on the hybrid system components. The serpentine belt was also inspected since it connects to the charging system, fortunately it was still in good condition. The workshop performed a complete diagnostic scan of both the conventional and hybrid electrical systems. This included checking all control modules and testing the interaction between the standard alternator and the hybrid charging components. The damp weather connection you mentioned is significant, I noticed the same pattern. The charging system seemed to struggle most during cold, wet mornings, with visible symptoms like flickering lights and weak starter motor performance. One thing to note: after the repair, the workshop recommended checking the battery health every 6 months, as a failing generator can impact battery life. My total repair ended up being the 960€ I mentioned, but prices might have changed since then. Make sure the workshop has experience with hybrid charging systems specifically. The diagnostic process for hybrids is more complex than standard alternator issues due to the dual electrical systems.

Thank you for this detailed comparison. The humid weather correlation definitely helps confirm my suspicions about the generator. I will make sure to get a full diagnostic scan of both electrical systems. Our cars show nearly identical symptoms with the engine misfire during cold starts and the car electronics acting up in wet conditions. The battery low warning pattern also matches perfectly. Since you mentioned getting the serpentine belt checked during your repair, I will request they inspect mine too during the diagnostic. Good point about the potential battery damage, I will ask them to test the battery condition while they investigate the charging system. I already contacted a workshop that specializes in hybrid vehicles. They quoted around 1100€ for a complete generator replacement including all required testing. Seems reasonable compared to your repair cost, considering current parts prices. Will proceed with booking the repair next week. The matching failure pattern between our cars makes me confident this will resolve the starter motor issues and electrical problems.