[Wolverine]

Macan Battery Replacement and Registration?

I tried doing a search on this topic, but was unable to find a definite answer. I am wondering if anyone on this forum has actually replaced their Macan's original battery other than at a Porsche dealership. The OE Porsche battery is a Varta AGM 12V 92Ah 520A DIN. I have seen what I think are exo...

www.renntech.org

Imagine that. Exact same question on renntech and the exact same answers here. Renntech is technical oriented. They would know. An indy can lease PIWIS. Just ask if they have one.

No need for PIWIS. Autel (and likely others) already make tools with this capability well within the affordability range of an independent garage.

 

[Yadkin]

I've never taken any car to a dealer for normal / routine service and never will. Of course there is a way to do it yourself. (And as proven in the video on post 49) The only question is: What tool do you need to buy? What is the cheapest tool that will do the job?

Has anyone here changed their own battery? What tool did you use to register the new battery?

Autel 906 - $920 (used in video on post 49.)
iCarsoft Por II - $150 (maybe will work, maybe not? I see comments in both directions on various forums and threads.)
Foxwell Nt510 - $155 (Per their site, it will do it, but I'm not sure. It would be nice if someone who has used this tool can confirm if successful.)
Will other ones work? e.g. Autel MD806/8, Durametric Pro?

I have the iCarsoft and am also a DIYer. It works to reset the oil reminder so check the specs for the battery rest.

My '18 Macan records in its CPU when the services were done, as entered through the iCarsoft or similar device. It's important that you do that to maintain resale value.

 

[Chookie]

My 2016 Macan S with 38,000 miles just lost the Auto Start/Stop function (though it is turned on) and my dealer blames it on the battery which has 69% life left. I have not been locking my garage while it is parked in the garage. I may start now as they quoted me $766+tax to replace. I would like to DIY and I too am looking for the answers. I'll go for a $200 tool if one exists.

 

[.149317]

I have the iCarsoft and am also a DIYer. It works to reset the oil reminder so check the specs for the battery rest.

My '18 Macan records in its CPU when the services were done, as entered through the iCarsoft or similar device. It's important that you do that to maintain resale value.

Durametric analyzers only cover to 2015 Macans no newer. As for Autel, they have nothing to offer other than suggest perhaps once they have the software the only unit would be the MS906BT

So yes, the reason no one has answered the battery swap and registration issue is that the vehicles are too new. I've been trying to get a short list of analyzers for when I get my vehicle next month as other than the courtesy service in July 2021 the car will never see a dealer (420+ miles away)

siberian

 

[.149317]

My 2016 Macan S with 38,000 miles just lost the Auto Start/Stop function (though it is turned on) and my dealer blames it on the battery which has 69% life left. I have not been locking my garage while it is parked in the garage. I may start now as they quoted me $766+tax to replace. I would like to DIY and I too am looking for the answers. I'll go for a $200 tool if one exists.

Yes battery problems can cause myriads of problems.

The Start/stop module is controlled by 3 parameters which is why it's so difficult to disable permanently (for prior to 2020 models).

Start/stop is controlled by voltage, HVAC and Central Electric grouping in VAG-COM terms. If voltage drops below a certain value and fearing that the car may not start again, the system disables it. Similarly if temperature is too high or low, with climate (HVAC) running full blast, it will disable it to ensure the latter has enough power to keep climate control going. Lastly central electric or convenience module depending is a generic parameter control AFAIK. Switching that off by itself does nothing.

The reason Porsche (and Audi/VDub etc.) are so anal about making it difficult to disable this annoying feature is that a lot of their mpg data is derived using start/stop. If you disable this, some folks could claim that they (Porsche/VDub/Audi...) are cheating on the results again; well that's my take anyway.

Epilogue, and because of the wonderful VAG-COM tool (maybe in another lifetime someone will create something as good/cheap as Uwe Ross' analyzer for Porsche), I was able to disable the Start/stop on a 2018 Audi Q7 but only temporarily. As soon as you fuss with the temp control it resets, alas. Luckily the 2020 Macans since they're not considered a full revision version did not inherit this calamity as the Panamera, Cayenne etc did. However I'm pretty sure as of next year they will incorporate this "wonderful" feature.

siberian

PS I am not paid nor do I work for Ross-Tech btw, though I do have two Touaregs and an RS5

 

[jzwu]

Auto start/stop can be disabled by pressing the button after you start the engine and it’ll stay off.

Luckily on my ‘15 Macan S I pressed the button at pickup and it stayed off for the last 4.5 years and will be in the future too.

 

[mstraka]

All that is required is to replace a battery! Should be a simple procedure not a $700 expenditure. This is why I sold my 2015 Macan Turbo at 43,000 miles. Looking to the near future at more expensive servicing, brakes and battery replacement, and my compulsive handling enhancements. Loved the car but I was turning it into an expensively modified performance fastback, departing from the engineers practical SUV/all purpose road car. Better to buy a car which already had the elements that fit my profile. I bought a used Mercedes AMG C63S that wasn't that much more subtracting my Macan trade in. I can replace the battery without having to sync it $$ with the system.

 

[.149317]

Most manufacturers whether Audi or Porsche or VDub etc. have gone to this "registration" ritual, I'm surprised that MB hasn't done something similar. Is it preparing the way for the 48v battery systems coming or simply another way to get more money out of folks, I don't know. But fully agree changing a battery being a 700 dollar expense is ridiculous as is a 20k expense to do a general 20k mile service on a Ferrari.

A lot of new technologies, such as the "eigenfrequency", on the RS5 is the answer to a non existent problem and a stupid inclusion of technology when the existing (TPMS) system worked perfectly well. But what you could monitor and be aware of and replace every 8 or 9 years for a pittance you now have no idea if you have a something wrong with your tire other than a message saying "your tire is flat".

Which is why I'm looking out for a reasonable 71 Cuda (383/426/440) manual that I can dive into an engine compartment and modify to my hearts content. I don't need Carplay or Sirius or having my comings and goings tracked so I can see the temp on my 11 inch dash either. But I hear you...just wish the car makers would as well

siberian

 

[iconoclast]

My 2016 Macan S with 38,000 miles just lost the Auto Start/Stop function (though it is turned on) and my dealer blames it on the battery which has 69% life left. I have not been locking my garage while it is parked in the garage. I may start now as they quoted me $766+tax to replace. I would like to DIY and I too am looking for the answers. I'll go for a $200 tool if one exists.

How did Porsche determine your battery has 69% "left?"

I wonder if they meant it is charged to 69% capacity which would be ~ 12.3 V.

If you have a battery maintainer, You should hook it up (many threads on that on MF, I like CTEK.)
If you can get your battery fully charged, 12.6-12.7 Volts, maybe your Auto SS will start working again.
You do not need to access the battery to charge it or to read the Voltage with a multimeter.
You can do that from the under hood jump start terminals.

A battery maintainer & a multimeter are good tools to have.

 

[xwing]

I've never taken any car to a dealer for normal / routine service and never will. Of course there is a way to do it yourself. (And as proven in the video on post 49) The only question is: What tool do you need to buy? What is the cheapest tool that will do the job?

Has anyone here changed their own battery? What tool did you use to register the new battery?

Autel 906 - $920 (used in video on post 49.)
iCarsoft Por II - $150 (maybe will work, maybe not? I see comments in both directions on various forums and threads.)
Foxwell Nt510 - $155 (Per their site, it will do it, but I'm not sure. It would be nice if someone who has used this tool can confirm if successful.)
Will other ones work? e.g. Autel MD806/8, Durametric Pro?

I have an update. I emailed both Autel and iCarsoft customer service. I asked about the 2019 / 2020, but assume the answers would be similar for earlier years as well.
Autel: The Autel MD808 Pro (available here for $233) does support Battery Management System, and allows you to register the new battery on a Macan. This is per Andrew Libert @ Autel
iCarsoft: The older iCarsoft Por II does not support BMS. However, the iCarSoft V2.0 (available for $146 here) does allow you to register the new battery on a Macan. This is per Barnett Davies @ iCarSoft.

So, it sounds like there are at least 2 reasonably-priced tools which allow you to reset the battery on a Macan for DIY people (like me). If anyone on this forum ever does it successfully (or tries it unsuccessfully), please add to this thread!

I have the iCarsoft and am also a DIYer. It works to reset the oil reminder so check the specs for the battery rest.

Can you check and confirm if you see the Battery option? Which version of iCarsoft do you have?

 

[Shark]

I have an update. I emailed both Autel and iCarsoft customer service. I asked about the 2019 / 2020, but assume the answers would be similar for earlier years as well.
Autel: The Autel MD808 Pro (available here for $233) does support Battery Management System, and allows you to register the new battery on a Macan. This is per Andrew Libert @ Autel
iCarsoft: The older iCarsoft Por II does not support BMS. However, the iCarSoft V2.0 (available for $146 here) does allow you to register the new battery on a Macan. This is per Barnett Davies @ iCarSoft.

So, it sounds like there are at least 2 reasonably-priced tools which allow you to reset the battery on a Macan for DIY people (like me). If anyone on this forum ever does it successfully (or tries it unsuccessfully), please add to this thread!


Can you check and confirm if you see the Battery option? Which version of iCarsoft do you have?

I would be careful on this as we have had more than one example in the past where the manufacturer (not just a seller) of one of these tools overstated it's capabilities. You might try it so long as you are 100% certain you will be able to return it for a full refund if you are not satisfied and have an alternative plan should it not work as indicated.

On the other hand it would be great if we finally found an affordable tool that will reliably register a new Macan battery.

 

[Yadkin]

Can you check and confirm if you see the Battery option? Which version of iCarsoft do you have?

I have version as follows:
Boot: V10.02
Displays program V02.46
Diagnostic program V11.25
Diagnostic library V11.49

Does not support battery reset.

 

[xwing]

I would be careful on this as we have had more than one example in the past where the manufacturer (not just a seller) of one of these tools overstated it's capabilities.

Good point. I can only repeat what the manufacturers (Autel & iCarsoft) told me. I was told very specifically from Autel (Autel MD808 Pro) & iCarsoft (iCarsoft Por V2.0) that they support this specific feature on this specific car, but they could be lying or mistaken... It would be helpful if someone who has those tools can verify.

I have version as follows: V10.02 Does not support battery reset.

Thanks for the data point! This might prove that iCarsoft is wrong. But they have 2 different tools. Do you have the
iCarsoft Por II

or the

iCarsoft Por V2.0

?

Per the manufacturer, these are separate tools (although similar). The Por V2.0 supports it while the Por II does not.

 

[.149317]

This is from September 3, 2019:

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for writing. The Durametric Software currently supports Porsche models through 2015. Support for newer models will be added with future software updates. However, no timeline for release is yet available.

The main difference between the Enthusiast and Professional kit is the supported number of VINs. The Enthusiast supports up to 3 VINs and the Professional supports unlimited.

Battery Registration is not currently supported by the software, this feature may be added in the future.

Windows XP is supported, however, a newer version of Windows is recommended.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Regards,

Kevin Lewis
Durametric Software Inc
888-854-5523


This is from Autel, re. 2020 Macan:



Hello


as of right now we do not have the software for that vehicle and the only scanners we have that can read that new of a vehicle once we have the software would be MS906BT


--
Technical Support | Autel North America
Office: 631.923.2620
Fax: 631.357.3304
Email: randrade@autel.com | Web: www.autel.com
175 Central Avenue, suite 200, Farmingdale, New York, 11735
Check out our latest AUTEL TOOLS CATALOG



siberian

 

[Shark]

This is from September 3, 2019:

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for writing. The Durametric Software currently supports Porsche models through 2015. Support for newer models will be added with future software updates. However, no timeline for release is yet available.

The main difference between the Enthusiast and Professional kit is the supported number of VINs. The Enthusiast supports up to 3 VINs and the Professional supports unlimited.

Battery Registration is not currently supported by the software, this feature may be added in the future.

Windows XP is supported, however, a newer version of Windows is recommended.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Regards,

Kevin Lewis
Durametric Software Inc
888-854-5523

They have been saying this for several years, but the Durametric does work for the maintenance registers on MY16 Macans. Several of us have used it successfully. And IIRC at least one MY17 owner did too.

 

[.149317]

Don't know why they would say this and thus loose a sale. But again I was asking about a 2020 not an earlier model beyond 2015.

What's their return policy? Is there any consensus as to which one (iCarSoft, Durametric, Autel or PIWIS) provides the most access for the buck?

siberian

 

[Chookie]

I have an update. I emailed both Autel and iCarsoft customer service. I asked about the 2019 / 2020, but assume the answers would be similar for earlier years as well.
Autel: The Autel MD808 Pro (available here for $233) does support Battery Management System, and allows you to register the new battery on a Macan. This is per Andrew Libert @ Autel
iCarsoft: The older iCarsoft Por II does not support BMS. However, the iCarSoft V2.0 (available for $146 here) does allow you to register the new battery on a Macan. This is per Barnett Davies @ iCarSoft.

I emailed iCarSoft as well and got the same affirmative, though ambiguous, answer from Barnett Davies. See below. I also looked at reviews on amazon for that unit and it seems that their tech support routinely makes false claims and/or does not respond to requests for help with their equipment. I want this to be a working solution but am cautious.

"
Hello Mark,

Nice day.
Thanks for your email.

POR V2.0 works on it.

Please let me kow if you have any questions.



ThanksSincerely,
Barnett Davies,



USA Headquarters
Sales Engineer / Order Center


@iconoclast , here is the quote from the dealer. Hard to say for sure what they are referring to but I assume they use some kind of load tester? "with regard to the battery, the life left we are reading now is 69%. For all of the systems (like Auto Start/Stop) to work well, it should read 75%. So, yes, the battery has begun is decline. If you'd like us to replace it now it would be $766+tax."

Hear hear. If someone has the iCarSoft POR v2.0, would you mind connecting it, even if you don't need a battery, and let us know if you can access the BMS system for a Macan?

 

[Shark]

Don't know why they would say this and thus loose a sale.

Suspect the answer simply is they have never tested it on anything newer than MY15, and, unlike some of their competitors, they tend to be cautious with what they claim.

Also, AFAIK no one else here has tried to use the Durametric for anything but the service registers on a Macan newer than MY15. Might be it's only partially compatible with newer Macans?.

 

[.149317]

So if they're cautious so should the buyer be.

siberian

 

[oqjnLu@>@W]

I emailed iCarSoft as well and got the same affirmative, though ambiguous, answer from Barnett Davies. See below. I also looked at reviews on amazon for that unit and it seems that their tech support routinely makes false claims and/or does not respond to requests for help with their equipment. I want this to be a working solution but am cautious.

"
Hello Mark,

Nice day.
Thanks for your email.

POR V2.0 works on it.

Please let me kow if you have any questions.



ThanksSincerely,
Barnett Davies,



USA Headquarters
Sales Engineer / Order Center


@iconoclast , here is the quote from the dealer. Hard to say for sure what they are referring to but I assume they use some kind of load tester? "with regard to the battery, the life left we are reading now is 69%. For all of the systems (like Auto Start/Stop) to work well, it should read 75%. So, yes, the battery has begun is decline. If you'd like us to replace it now it would be $766+tax."

Hear hear. If someone has the iCarSoft POR v2.0, would you mind connecting it, even if you don't need a battery, and let us know if you can access the BMS system for a Macan?

Since it's mostly about software - how about a firmware update for the iCarsoft POR II???

There are several of us forum members who own those units. Let's all contact Barnett Davies (email address?) and
let him know it would certainly be appropriate for iCarsoft to add battery registration functionality to the POR II units -
especially considering the Macan models outsell all other Porsche models.


?