Technical Service Bulletin

27-19-01 - Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161
and or GRX3000VAS Charger

Transaction No:

2011894/24

Release date:

6/28/2023

Condition
Applicable Vehicles
Model(s)

All
(except Routan)

Year

Eng. Code

Trans. Code

VIN Range
From

VIN Range To

1998-2024

All

All

All

All

Revision Table
Instance Number

Published Date

Version Number

Reason For Update

2011894/24

6/28/23

27-19-01

Metadata adjustment
and update to model
year applicability.

2011894/22

12/6/22

27-19-01

Update to model year
applicability.

2011894/20

6/8/22

27-19-01

To remove obsolete
testers MCR340 and InCharge 940.

2011894/19

5/16/22

27-19-01

To include information
regarding VAS 6161
usage.

2011894/1

10/6/06

V270603

Original publication.

Note:
This technical bulletin covers testing and repair procedures for multiple vehicle lines, model years and
engine combinations. To prevent mis-diagnosis, you must ensure that the testing/repair procedure is
applicable to the vehicle you are servicing and the correct battery type is entered in the tester.
Tip:
 Make sure software levels on the testing equipment are at their latest levels.
 Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) function only available on VAS6161 and GRX3000VAS.

Page 1 of 17
© 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Transaction No:

2011894/24

Release date:

6/28/2023

DRAFT
27-19-01 - Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161
and or GRX3000VAS Charger

Technical Background
The VAS6161 and GRX3000VAS are the only VW approved battery testers and chargers that can be
used to test and charge batteries in VW vehicles. Use of non-approved battery testers and chargers is not
allowed, as internal battery damage may occur.
Note:
GFF is NOT approved to pass/fail the 12volt battery.

Production Solution
No production change required.

Service
WARNING
Danger of injury! Prior to handling or servicing batteries, read, understand and observe all
Warnings and Safety Measures for lead-acid batteries.
Note:
In order to prevent damage to battery or vehicle, observe battery type descriptions and notes.

Tip:
 Switch off all electrical consumers.
 Switch ignition OFF and remove ignition key.
Battery Testing/Charging Sections:
2-1 All Models 1998 - 2022, Except Passat/CC 3.6L, Eos 3.2L, Golf VR4/R32, Touareg and Phaeton
2-2 Passat, Passat Wagon and CC with 3.6L 2006-2013 (Rear Battery)
2-3 Eos 3.2L 2006 - 2008
2-4 Golf VR4/R32 2008
2-5 Touareg 2004 - 2017
2-6 Phaeton 2003 - 2006
2-7 VAS6161, GRX3000VAS Trouble Shooting Error Messages

Page 2 of 17
© 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Transaction No:

2011894/24

Release date:

6/28/2023

DRAFT
27-19-01 - Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161
and or GRX3000VAS Charger

2-1 All Models 1998 - 2022, Except Passat/CC 3.6L, Eos 3.2L, Golf VR4/R32, Touareg and Phaeton
When testing or charging a battery either installed or removed from vehicle select appropriate battery
type:
 Select “Standard” (Lead-Acid) function for ALL NON-AGM batteries.
 Select “AGM” function for “Absorbent Glass Mat” (AGM) batteries with “AGM” on battery label.
 Select “EFB” function for “Enhanced Flooded Battery” (EFB) batteries with “EFB” on the battery label.
Tip:
 EFB function only available on VAS6161 and GRX3000.
 Make sure software levels on the testing equipment are at their latest levels.
Always use actual DIN rating as shown on battery label arrow-.
Tip:
Label shown is for example only. DIN or SAE
specifications may vary from battery to battery.

If DIN rating is not shown:
 Use SAE value as printed on the battery label.
If using SAE value rating:
 Midtronics tester menu option must be changed to achieve accurate results.
 A change from DIN to SAE can be made from the “Other” menu option on Midtronics tester.
2-2 Passat Wagon 2006-2010, Passat and CC with 3.6L 2006-2018 (Rear Battery),
Testing/Charging at Battery
Passat Sedan, CC, 3.6L only 2006-2018:
 Select Lead Acid Battery for 3.6L engine (located in left side of trunk). 450 DIN.

B6 Passat Wagon 3.6L only 2006-2010:
 Select Regular or AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) for 3.6L engine (located in left side of trunk) as
specified on the battery label. 480-520 DIN AGM.

Page 3 of 17
© 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Transaction No:

2011894/24

Release date:

6/28/2023

DRAFT
27-19-01 - Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161
and or GRX3000VAS Charger

When testing or charging battery installed in vehicle:
 DO NOT Test/Charge from Remote Location.
 (3.6L) DO NOT use remote location (+) -arrow-.

 (3.6L) DO NOT use engine bracket (-) -arrow-.

Always use actual DIN rating as shown on battery label:
 (3.6L) Test/charge battery located in left rear trunk arrow-.
 Passat Sedan / Passat CC 3.6L uses a lead acid
battery 450 DIN.
 B6 Passat Wagon 3.6L uses an AGM battery. 480 or
520 DIN.

Page 4 of 17
© 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Transaction No:

2011894/24

Release date:

6/28/2023

DRAFT
27-19-01 - Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161
and or GRX3000VAS Charger

2-3 Eos 3.2L 2006 - 2008
Testing/Charging at Battery (Two 6-Volt batteries)
Eos 3.2L engine is equipped with two 6-volt AGM batteries which are connected in series to achieve
12-volts. The battery system must always be treated as a 12-volt battery system. Never attempt to charge
only one 6-volt battery. If battery replacement is necessary, never replace one 6-volt battery; both
batteries must be replaced as a pair!
 Eos 3.2L AGM batteries shown are connected in
series.

Testing/Charging 6-Volt Batteries Out of Vehicle:
If batteries have been removed from vehicle, never attempt to test/charge one 6-volt battery; as stated
above. Treat batteries as a 12-volt system.
 Connect cable (Part No: 1Q0971226) to inner battery
terminals.

Page 5 of 17
© 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Transaction No:

2011894/24

Release date:

6/28/2023

DRAFT
27-19-01 - Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161
and or GRX3000VAS Charger

 Connect battery tester.

Tip:
Cable has (+) and (–) stamps on each terminal. Positive (+) terminal is a larger diameter than Negative (–
) terminal. DO NOT attempt to force the wrong terminal of harness onto a battery terminal if it does not fit.
1. Connect cable with positive (+) stamp to inner positive (+) terminal of 1st battery. When doing so,
ensure that the other end of the cable (negative) does not make contact with ground or any object.
Tighten to 6Nm.
2. Connect the negative (–) terminal of the cable to the inner negative (–) terminal of the 2nd battery.
Tighten to 6Nm (53 in. lbs).
3. Connect Midtronics tester positive (+) clamp (red color) to outer positive (+) terminal of 2nd battery.
4. Connect Midtronics tester negative (–) clamp (black color) to outer negative (–) terminal of 1st battery.
When testing/charging is completed:
1. Remove Midtronics tester negative (–) clamp (black color).
2. Remove Midtronics tester positive (+) clamp (red color).
3. Remove battery cable negative (–) connection at 2nd battery negative (–) terminal.
4. Remove battery cable positive (+) connection at 1st battery positive (+) terminal.

Page 6 of 17
© 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Transaction No:

2011894/24

Release date:

6/28/2023

DRAFT
27-19-01 - Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161
and or GRX3000VAS Charger

Testing/charging 6-Volt Batteries in Vehicle:
GRX3000VAS
1. Connect Midtronics tester positive (+) clamp (red
color) to outer positive (+) terminal of battery.
2. Connect Midtronics tester negative (–) clamp (black
color) to outer negative (–) terminal of other battery.

VAS6161
1. Connect Midtronics tester positive (+) clamp (red
color) to outer positive (+) terminal of battery.
2. Connect Midtronics tester negative (–) clamp (black
color) to outer negative (–) terminal of other battery.

Testing/Charging In or Out of Vehicle:
Always verify using DIN rating as shown on battery label.
 Select AGM for 3.2L engine (located in the trunk, one 6-volt battery on each side of the ski-chute). 380
DIN.

Tip:
Label shown is for example only. DIN or SAE
specifications may vary from battery to battery.

Page 7 of 17
© 2023 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and
other intellectual property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any
time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the
publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin

Transaction No:

2011894/24

Release date:

6/28/2023

DRAFT
27-19-01 - Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161
and or GRX3000VAS Charger

Tip:
Two 6-volt batteries are connected in series to achieve 12-volts, the same current value will flow through
each battery. As a result, only use a DIN value of 380A, DO NOT double or halve this value when
entering data into Midtronics tester.
If DIN rating is not shown:
 Use SAE value as printed on battery label.
If using SAE value rating:
 Midtronics tester menu option must be changed to achieve accurate results.
 A change from DIN to SAE can be made from the “Other” menu option on Midtronics tester.
When testing or charging battery installed in vehicle: