VW Taigo Battery Drain Causes Dashboard Error Storm

Faced a really similar issue with my 2021 VW T-Cross last winter. Had some experience with basic car maintenance, but this battery problem was more complex than usual. The symptoms matched yours exactly, weak starts, flickering lights, and dashboard warnings. Initially thought it was just a discharged battery, but after checking the battery terminals and connections, the issue persisted. Took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a faulty battery sensor. This component monitors the battery condition and charging state, and when defective, it can cause all those symptoms you described. The repair cost me 315€, including parts and labor. Since the fix, the car has been running perfectly with no battery failure signs. Before suggesting this might be your exact issue, could you share: How old is your current battery? Are these symptoms constant or do they come and go? Does the problem get worse in cold weather? Have you noticed any other electrical issues? The vehicle battery system in newer VWs is quite sophisticated, and accurate diagnosis really needs proper testing equipment. If your symptoms continue, have a professional check the battery sensor and charging system specifically.

Latest service was at 145000km. The odd part is that these battery issues started showing up suddenly without warning. After the initial drainage problems, I had the alternator tested which showed normal readings. Had one mechanic suggest it was a simple discharged battery issue, but given all the error codes and system warnings, that seems too simple. The battery terminals appear clean with no visible corrosion. Interesting point about the battery sensor, our symptoms do match quite closely. The flickering happens mostly during idle and the starting problems are definitely worse on cold mornings. Would it make sense to first get the battery load tested before diving into sensor diagnostics? Just trying to rule out the basics before potentially spending more on complex electrical diagnostics.

Thanks for those extra details about your Taigo. Your situation really mirrors what I experienced with my T-Cross, especially those cold morning starting issues. I actually went through the battery load testing first too, but that came back normal despite the obvious electrical system problems. The discharged battery symptoms kept coming back even after recharging. One thing I noticed before getting the sensor replaced: the battery warning light would sometimes flash intermittently at idle, which the technician later explained was the faulty sensor sending incorrect readings to the electrical control unit. Given your symptoms match mine so closely, especially with the error codes and system warnings, a sensor diagnostic check makes sense now. Load testing the battery is good due diligence, but if it comes back fine and problems persist, the sensor is likely the culprit. Just check if your vehicle is still under warranty, my sensor replacement would have been covered if I had caught it a few months earlier. The full diagnosis and repair, including checking the battery terminals and electrical system, cost around 350€ at the dealership.

Good point about checking the battery load first. Makes sense to start with the basics before spending big money on sensor diagnostics. The battery drain symptoms do sound quite similar to your T-Cross case. My main concern is the sudden onset of these issues. No warning signs at all until the low battery problems started appearing. The timing seems odd, especially since the alternator test showed normal function. I will schedule the battery load test tomorrow. If that shows normal readings like in your case, I will have them check the battery sensor next. The cold morning starting troubles and flickering during idle really point toward sensor issues rather than just a simple discharged battery problem. Thanks for sharing your repair experience. The battery sensor replacement cost is higher than expected at 350€, but still better than replacing multiple parts trying to fix the issue. Will update once I get the test results back from the workshop.