stealth1

Picked up the Interstate MTP-H8 for $160 and problem solved.

The stealership wanted $500 - to remove 2 screws and tilt a seat.

Installed it no probs like instructed here. The battery in my 04 was the original Varta with a production date from 03, so it was definitely time since it wouldn't hold a charge.

The Interstate was identical so it was an easy swap. Thanks for the info here.

Also i found this vid entertaining:

http://qik.com/video/c1bcf9026acd424aa40b5775e9c71af9

medtech

That's a rare talent to shoot a 14min video and never once be in focus.

joes95rx7

Thanks for info on the battery subject. Good to know...

Slow Guy

Just replaced the battery in the '06 Pepper. Prod date on the Pepper was 7/05 so the battery was at least 6 yrs old. It never failed to start other than it was starting to not start (or do anything else) with the first turn of the key, it would start fine with the 2nd turn. Did it to me twice yesterday (it was very hot outside) so I decided I didn't want to be left stranded.

Went w/ the Interstate MTP 49/H8 (85 mo.) battery for apx $183. Gave it a full charge yesterday before putting it in the car this AM. Interstate is about 2" shorter width wise but other than that looks exactly the same, vent hole is even in the same location.

Not too challenging but I was under there once before. Took opportunity to vacuum up under the seat.

Only scare was after hooking up the battery the buzzer kept buzzing and the parking lights stayed on, realized I had bumped the turn signal on so it was in European Parking Light mode. Other than that no issues.

UPDATE: when I took the core battery back the Interstate guy said they have that exact size battery in their inventory . When I told him I got the size info from the Interstate web site he doublechecked it online and also looked in his application book and they all spec'd the smaller battery. Said the CCA's are the same but the reserve is a little more with the bigger battery. I decided to leave it alone since the smaller one still spec'd out higher than the OE one and with the bracket tightened on the smaller battery I have no fear it's going to shift, it's in there securely.

Just an FYI for those that choose to replace w/ Interstate, tell them you want the next size up from the one in their application guide.

Suprisedly not this time. The first time I went under there I hit pay dirt, all kinds of coins and horseman's pen's and business cards. Just dog hair this time.

mudman2

Did you find the money and the credit card ??

RJFabCab

OMG... here I am on a Saturday morning sipping coffee and reading this 3 year old thread LOL. The Pepper is a little wimpy on the start but will still take a full charge. The battery is 5 years old. Soon, it will be time to attack this annoying project.

993BillW, what exact Interstate size is 'one size up'? I'm glad the smaller battery worked out well for you.

Interstate website shows Width 6.89 in, Length 13.94 in, Height 7.48 in for the MTP-49/H8. Is that the size you bought? Or, is this the 'corrected' larger OEM size?

Thanks

Stone43

Bump.

I am going to take this on this weekend and want to get the correct size Interstate.

mudman2

Its listed as VW TReg at Autozone, try them , may save a bit

Stone43

Mud,

Is that AutoZone battery made by Interstate? I know there are only a few manufacturers making these things, and lots of rebranding.

mudman2

Most likely, works fine

cordsig79

FYI, i tackled this battery replacement last night @ Batteries Plus in their parking lot with the tool bit for the seats purchased before at Autozone.

We measured the CCA at 260 definitely dying.........looked up recommend OEM replacement. Grabbed one at 765 or 760 CCA, for 149.

Well I took off the front bolts and the thing would not move back the seat far enough(didnt know about the hinge yet!!). So I finally just took off the rear two bolts.

Found 2 pairs of missing cuff links from 06 . Got the battery out and it did not appear as the same dimensions as the OEM for the one recommended so the B+ worker was like, there is one recommended for the V8s right next to it.

He brought it out and it was almost identical. It was 850 CCA and it was 129?

I put it in with ease and hooked it all back up, taking all 4 bolts off is a pain to reposition the seat squarely and tighten the bolts extremely tight, make sure to push the seat all the way forward and force the hinges back.

Also Batteries plus has a 10% off coupon on their website, so with that and a 100 dollar gift card, i came away paying 19 dollars of my own money and even got a mail in rebate for another 10 dollars on the warranty from inside the store.

I wish I had seen that TReg video before...........I never knew the hinges might be there...my back!!!

Chaos

Those 12 spline things don't exixt at Sears,Advanced auto parts or Home Depot,,,,,

yeldogt

It is called a triple square -- and I did not know about them prior to my Cayenne ownership. I picked up mine from my local Snap-on dealer ..... complete overkill ... but I am a tool nut. I think it was $18.00. I was leaving soon on a trip and was not going to take any chances -- that why I picked up the bolts. Someone posted they had problems getting them off.


I was in Harbor Freight a few weeks ago to pick up some rubber gloves and asked about and they did not have them -- had no idea what i was talking about .. that surprised me ..... figured they would have the whole set for $5.00.

They are not a spline -- MB uses them and these look more more like a multi Allen head.

cordsig79

I think they are called "12 point" hex bit of the torx species.........but yeah.....just remember they have 12 points.......not mml etc........

I found them in a multi pack for 12.99 I got 4 different sizes of the 12 point hex bits....slowly building up my tools!

touareg

Anyone buy one of these from Autozone?

Duralast Gold/Battery
For your 2005 Porsche Truck Cayenne AWD 4.5L SFI DOHC 8cyl
Price: $124.99
+Core: $12.00

Part Number: H8-DLG

Says 950 CC Amps, but then 760, so not sure what is what.

I want to know why my original 2004 touareg battery is great and I am on my 2nd factory one after 2 years. Only did OEM because it was free...

Does anyone have the dimensions of the OEM battery?