My experience with earth-shunt!!
Had the usual indications of this problem a few years ago. Local “specialist“ put an earth-to-chassis connection from the front leisure battery. I knew no better then (!) so accepted the fix even though intuitively it seemed a little “simple”.
I learned afterwards that whilst it does help fix the problems, it also “bypasses” all charge info from the rear battery... so the Control Panel shows bad charge info. eg: if you run the Webasto overnight and the front battery drops to charge level below ~40% Webasto cuts out (because the control panel can’t read/add the rear battery charge due to the “bypass” of the shunt - and Webasto has a safety cutout charge limit!!!).
I’m no specialist but this does make sense!! Can anyone confirm this????
Today I’ve put the proper revised shunt where it should be. Easy, but time consuming (I have a 2006 Cali so needed to take out the bloody kitchen to access fridge fixings)
I disconnected the front battery earth as well (the bodged fix) and it was the first time I drove more than 10 mins (with the fridge running) without dropping to (false) 80% indicated.
I just need someone to confirm to me that I was right to get rid of that front earth connection??? Even though everything seems to work better!!!
For anyone updating this shunt here are a couple of undocumented tips:
1. Use latex gloves to lift the fridge once dis-attached... sweaty hands don’t do it.
2. There are cables (from rear battery and 240V input) that seem to thread around the fridge pump and electronics underneath the fridge box so make sure to check if it’s cables that are stopping the fridge sliding out smoothly (because it should!!)
3. You’ll need to reset the Control Panel after reconnecting the shunt by pushing the ‘back button’ (bottom right) for a few seconds.
4. Have a 5.5mm socket with extension!!! (if you need to remove the kitchen). And a good set of Torx and spanner’s (10mm/16mm/17mm/18mm)
5. Remember you’re
adding a brown cable, not simply replacing the existing one!!!
There are plenty of links on this subject to get hold of these conversion kits s
these
Hope this helps.
Don’t pay VW to do it - it’s a half day job and rewarding when you get it done!!
Nik
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