Contradiction in manual

LeighB · 07-11-2006, 15:22

This is probably an indication of a mild OCD disorder, but I do like to read car manuals, especially on one newly acquired.

Browsing through the Octy II manual, an amazing tome, I don't think I have met one so thick before, I came across these apparent contraindictions :-
Page 259 Working on the Battey
"Caution !
You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on, otherwise the electrical system (electronic components) of the vehicle may be damaged."
Then goes on to say what order to disconnect.reconnect the terminals.
This struck me as odd, but read on

Page 260
Charging the battery.
"- Read the warning notes in "Working on the battery" on page 258
- Switch the ignition and all electrical off"

So which is correct ???

My guess is the second, on general logical terms, but it seems a direct contra-indication.

Goochie · 07-11-2006, 15:24

Only disconnect the battery with the ignition switched on.

Thats what a well respected Skoda technician told me once.

Incidentally, most people come here because they've not read the manual - so I doubt anyone else has noticed

ScoobyChris · 07-11-2006, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goochie

Only disconnect the battery with the ignition switched on.
Thats what a well respected Skoda technician told me once.

Did he say why?! I've always done it with the ignition off because there's then no load on the battery (well assuming the clock draws negligible load!

Chris

Goochie · 07-11-2006, 15:29

Always re-connect it with the ignition on too

TeflonTom · 07-11-2006, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeighB

Caution !
You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on, otherwise the .

my guess is that is should have read "you must never disconnect the battery if the ingition is switched on"

dont do it with the ignition switched on otherwise you'l get sparks! also if there's a short somewhere it could be potentially fatal

LeighB · 07-11-2006, 15:30

Yes why indeed?? There has to be a logical explanation, but I would think there would be a risk of voltage spikes etc. if you disconnect with the system live?

**TaviaRS** · 07-11-2006, 17:18

I was always told to disconnect and reconnect with it all off; I always make sure I have the keys in my pocket so I know it cannot be on.

LeighB · 07-11-2006, 17:49

Interesting, forum users so far seem to be equally divided on the issue!

There must be a right answer, unless of course it doesn't matter a toss what you do as long as you are careful with disconnecting and reconnecting the battery tereminals.

dstev2000 · 07-11-2006, 19:33

I personally wouldn't want to hook up or disconnect a battery that will have an instant load on it thank you very much.

ScoobyChris · 07-11-2006, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaviaRS

I was always told to disconnect and reconnect with it all off; I always make sure I have the keys in my pocket so I know it cannot be on.

It also means that if the car has central locking that automatically locks when you disconnect the battery (stupid Nissan Micra) you can get back into the car!

Chris

TeflonTom · 07-11-2006, 23:50

also there's a possibility that the airbag( if fitted) can deploy too

Wardy · 08-11-2006, 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeighB

Browsing through the Octy II manual, an amazing tome, I don't think I have met one so thick before

O/T but I had a new Civic as a works hire car the other week. 504 pages I think that one ran too, and that was all in English and apparently just for the 5dr varient

Must be a good job writing these!

Steve

Wardy · 08-11-2006, 01:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeighB

Browsing through the Octy II manual, an amazing tome, I don't think I have met one so thick before

[off-topic]
I had a new Civic as a works hire car the other week. 504 pages I think that one ran too, and that was all in English and apparently just for the 5dr varient

Must be a good job writing these!

[/off-topic]

I'd much prefer to connect it when I knew nothing was going to magically spring to life the second I made the connection!

Steve

cheezemonkhai · 08-11-2006, 02:35

Ignition off, no way would i ever connect something that can put out 60A to a system that could be drawing a fair amount from it.

Also, I would have thought the airbags wouldn't like it and that the warning is wrong otherwise the car could not cope with a flat battery.

WW_VRS · 08-11-2006, 07:02

Disconnect after turning off ignition for sure. The car (ECU in particular) has detection for low/no batt anyway, the only time it causes problems is when you are (re)mapping a car and the battery drops below a certain voltage. That however is only critical for remapping, during normal operation you will be protected against it

07-11-2006, 15:22	#1
LeighB Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Contradiction in manual This is probably an indication of a mild OCD disorder, but I do like to read car manuals, especially on one newly acquired. Browsing through the Octy II manual, an amazing tome, I don't think I have met one so thick before, I came across these apparent contraindictions :- Page 259 Working on the Battey "Caution ! You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on, otherwise the electrical system (electronic components) of the vehicle may be damaged." Then goes on to say what order to disconnect.reconnect the terminals. This struck me as odd, but read on Page 260 Charging the battery. "- Read the warning notes in "Working on the battery" on page 258 - Switch the ignition and all electrical off" So which is correct ??? My guess is the second, on general logical terms, but it seems a direct contra-indication.

07-11-2006, 15:24	#2
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,376 Thanks: 7 Thanked 28 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual Only disconnect the battery with the ignition switched on. Thats what a well respected Skoda technician told me once. Incidentally, most people come here because they've not read the manual - so I doubt anyone else has noticed

07-11-2006, 15:29	#4
Goochie Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Up a tree. Posts: 12,376 Thanks: 7 Thanked 28 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual Always re-connect it with the ignition on too

07-11-2006, 15:30	#6
LeighB Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual Yes why indeed?? There has to be a logical explanation, but I would think there would be a risk of voltage spikes etc. if you disconnect with the system live?

07-11-2006, 17:18	#7
TaviaRS Dinosaur Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North of the Watford Gap Posts: 14,931 Thanks: 19 Thanked 42 Times in 38 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual I was always told to disconnect and reconnect with it all off; I always make sure I have the keys in my pocket so I know it cannot be on. __________________ A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast. Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

07-11-2006, 17:49	#8
LeighB Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual Interesting, forum users so far seem to be equally divided on the issue! There must be a right answer, unless of course it doesn't matter a toss what you do as long as you are careful with disconnecting and reconnecting the battery tereminals.

07-11-2006, 19:33	#9
dstev2000 Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Back in the Green Posts: 3,842 Thanks: 38 Thanked 152 Times in 138 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual I personally wouldn't want to hook up or disconnect a battery that will have an instant load on it thank you very much. __________________ MY08 L&K: Black-Estate-Diesel-Sunset Glass-MFD2-W8 Interior light-Colour coded door strips-LED sidelights and Puddle lights-VAG-COM fettled-Lovely! SWMBO's: MY08 vRS TDI - Standard

07-11-2006, 23:50	#11
TeflonTom Briskodiodion Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 7,981 Thanks: 43 Thanked 210 Times in 182 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual also there's a possibility that the airbag( if fitted) can deploy too __________________ vorsprung durch czechnik

08-11-2006, 02:35	#14
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 14,723 Thanks: 91 Thanked 412 Times in 383 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual Ignition off, no way would i ever connect something that can put out 60A to a system that could be drawing a fair amount from it. Also, I would have thought the airbags wouldn't like it and that the warning is wrong otherwise the car could not cope with a flat battery. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

08-11-2006, 07:02	#15
WW_VRS Escorted Estate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxfordshire/Berkshire Posts: 9,736 Thanks: 44 Thanked 70 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Contradiction in manual Disconnect after turning off ignition for sure. The car (ECU in particular) has detection for low/no batt anyway, the only time it causes problems is when you are (re)mapping a car and the battery drops below a certain voltage. That however is only critical for remapping, during normal operation you will be protected against it __________________ WW --->> Project Journal (pic links in first post there) Lummox'/Ross thread on Unit18 Automotive progress on my car: here

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