Service Information: Introduction of power categories for high-voltage batteries

We would like to inform you of the introduction of power categories for high-voltage batteries and about the associated ordering process.

As part of any warranty work, we refer to the legal and contractually agreed right of equivalent replacement. For this purpose, high-voltage batteries that are returned are classified into power categories.

This categorization is specifically issued during the course of diagnosis by the on-board electronics. If no special contrary reasons are involved here, this categorization must be followed when ordering the replacement part. In a warranty case, the customer receives a high-voltage battery in the same power category, with comparable capacity.

In a "Customer Pay" instance, the customer can choose which power category he wants to purchase.

1. Structure of item number

The power categories of a high-voltage battery type are differentiated through by the supplementary code 2 (ES2). This is defined during the determination process (section 2) and must also be quoted along with the ES1 (e.g. 80) when ordering (section 3, 4).

Example:

2. Determination of power category for rejected high-voltage battery

The condition of the installed high-voltage battery and the resulting power category are determined in XENTRY Diagnosis:

To do so, select the menu item:

 Battery management system control unit (N82/2)  

Special procedures  

Select determination of power

category.

Read off determined value (ES2, e.g. 7101) and attach to item number as an index.

 If communication with the battery management system control unit (N82/2) is not possible, the electric drive control unit (N127) or the power electronics control unit (N129/1) can be used for access.

If the battery management system is not responding, the following values need to be entered manually, if necessary:

 Vehicle identification number

 High-voltage battery item number

 High-voltage battery serial number

 Vehicle mileage

Make sure that data are recorded accurately, as otherwise full clarification of the warranty and replacement services involved may not be possible.

After determination, print out the power category data sheet twice.

 Copy 1: Handover to parts manager for ordering and objective evidence documentation (sections 3, 4, 6)

 Copy 2: Additional document for return shipment (section 5)

3. Recommendation of power category to be ordered

In the event of a complaint, refer to the warranty and contract conditions and check whether a warranty case exists.

At "Customer Pay", the customer decides which power category is to be ordered. If available, offer the customer a new high-voltage battery as well as reconditioned high-voltage batteries in the various power categories.

 Not all power categories are available throughout the entire life cycle.

In a warranty case, the power category of the removed high-voltage battery (see display in the diagnostic system and power category data sheet) is regarded as a recommendation when ordering the replacement battery. This recommendation may only be disregarded in justifiable exceptional circumstances (local legal/contractual regulations, Warranty manual). The Battery Manager responsible for your market is your contact person here.

A reimbursement in a warranty case is restricted to the power category required at least to meet the locally valid warranty and contractual regulations and the legal requirements. This is checked as part of the warranty audit procedure. The vehicle diagnosis recommendations shall be redocumented.

Before ordering, make sure that a reconditioned battery (Index 80) is permissible in your market.

4. Ordering the replacement battery

Order the replacement battery using the item number as per the XENTRY Portal parts process - insofar as permissible in the market - as a reconditioned battery (Index 80) and the ES2 of the recommendation received through its standard ordering process.

Example:

If the high-voltage battery with the required power category is not available, the following applies for "Customer Pay":

Check availability of other power categories or new battery. In this case, renewed coordination with the customer is required.

In a warranty case: Ordering of the high-voltage battery with the required power category, even when not available.

In this case, an adequate replacement delivery shall be checked centrally to ensure mobility is ensured as quickly as possible. Do not switch to other power categories available at the time.

5. Return of rejected high-voltage battery

The return shipment of the removed high-voltage battery shall be registered in line with the standard procedure, and then be replaced by exchanging the old part with a replacement part in the high-voltage battery's shipped transport container.

The standard return shipment criteria apply here. Only high-voltage batteries that are safe to transport may be returned.

Along with the transport documents, the "Power category" data sheet (section 2), and the complete and signed assessment protocol for transport safety (XENTRY Diagnosis) must be attached to the outside of the transport container. The attachment must be visible and protected against moisture/contamination/loss (e.g. shipment bag).

For safety reasons, high-voltage batteries that are not safe to transport must be transported and disposed of immediately in accordance with the local legal specifications (see AH54.10-P-0001-01A). The Battery Manager responsible for your market is your contact person.

6. Documentation

The following documents are required as objective evidence of proper determination and ordering in warranty cases:

 Power category data sheet

 Transport safety assessment protocol

7. Support

In the event of any problems determining the power category in XENTRY Diagnosis, contact the responsible hotline through XSF.

If you have any questions regarding the ordering process and availability, contact the responsible Logistics Center.

Please address any queries about local legal and contractual warranty conditions and replacement specifications, as well as the handling of high-voltage batteries that are not safe to transport, to the Battery Manager responsible for your market.