Funkoid

So been out for a good couple of hours today, nothing has faltered, then I thought, I've not used the Aircon. Did 3-4 trips, soon as I started the 4th I whacked the Aircon on for 20-30 mins. Pulled up after that, shut everything off, stopped the car. Gave it 20-30 seconds, flicked the ignition on and low and behold, the issue with the gauge occured. Really wanting to say it's being caused by the/is HVAC related. Question is, no idea where to start on that front now given where water could be gathering, possibly evaporating and causing issues in the dash.

That's what's strange @mac11irl, it always starts without issue. The other codes have remained clear too after a couple of hours of driving, I did find a couple of HVAC flap issues that were cleared and have remained fine too. No wet in the passenger side either. I have a minor water leak in the boot that I keep cleaning up. The drivers side door has always been an issue on and off, but aside from that the car runs great. I'll try and get a video of it doing it when I next go for a run, if you imagine the fuel gauge trying to move up but jumping back and forth about 2mm then eventually goes up. Then the other couple of times, I've just had no dials, but the mileage etc have remained. Wait 5-7 seconds then everything jumps to life. I'm tempted to reseat the dash cables but want to avoid removing it if I have to in case it then needs resetting etc.

Damn, I'm none the wiser then. I've cleared the faults down and need to have a decent drive this weekend so will see what returns. Hoping I've not got a wet electrics issue given the other short ground. I'd part ruled out the immobilizer side because the engine did start. Only thing that's knowingly changed recently was a replacement starter so part of the battery box was stripped out for that. The instrument panel and oil temp etc. Doesn't flow through the driver's door control unit does it?

Turned the ignition to point one a couple of days ago, and noticed the fuel gauge flicking back and forth a few mm trying to get up. Started the engine, all good. Went for a 10-15 min drive, then parked up. Next time I started the motor, no fuel gauge, no revs, nothing, for about 5-7 seconds, then suddenly all was well again. Parked up for an hour, flicked the ignition to point one again, and the fuel gauge suffered the same issue. It's not done it every time though and today for instance is alright. I've only got the shareware version of vcds lite, but have had the following returned.... 00562 - Sensor for Oil Level/Temperature (G266) 29-10 - Short to Ground - Intermittent 00667 - Ambient Temperature Signal 30-10 - Open or Short to B+ - Intermittent 01176 - Key Signal to low 07-10 - Please Register/Activate - Intermittent I'm at a bit of a loss where to start. Could the key battery be causing an issue with the immobilizer hence the dash problem? Wouldn't explain the engine starting no bother though surely? Wondering if I've got ground issues, but again, where to start troubleshooting that initially based on the above? Could it be a fuse on it's way out too?

Can anyone recommend anywhere to have wheels sorted? I have my original set of spiders on the MK1 Octavia vrs, they're not overly tatty given age but the passenger side is an absolute nightmare for losing air, even after reseals etc. I'm thinking of getting it checked out and potentially refurbished, spending on all four corners because of one is a little bigger sweet though!

So my door saga continues, still need to get it sealed, looking at replacing the lower door seal now too. Has anyone used generic 3rd party stuff or is it another dealers job?

Superstar cheers man, will get some ordered. Spoke too soon about the boot too, under the CD loader, rear wiper spray is fine so thinking there could be a split in the pipe elsewhere, for another day though. Always screw the right and left up with the part numbers, it's not from the drivers perspective right?

So it's been mega slow progress, starter, spring and mounts are all sorted. Only the leaking door to go, the heavy rain forced my hand yesterday with this one. I still need to line the door, but I was able to see where the water was coming from inside the door, looks like the seal on the outside between the car body and the bottom of the window is just letting water pour in. Trying to find replacement part numbers for that with little joy at the moment. The bottom door seal is letting water in eventually but I still think it's doing a decent enough job to not be the main cause. Thinking replace the external one described and see how it goes then.

Yeah had a quick look, connections look all good! Could do without it now but it is what it is!

So to cap it allllll off, I definitely have a spring gone on the passenger side, went to start it, battery on, fuel pump primed etc ... Nadda! Starter dead! Need to find me a decent scrappy in Cheshire.

For anyone that's used the plastic sheeting DIY method, how did you handle the speaker side of the door? Presume it's just a case of allowing a bit of slack? Talking about where the foam ones are concave to allow for the depth of the speaker.

I was under the impression that was by design? Are there part numbers available for the seals or are we now stuck with third party OEM ones?

Seems like a much better option if I can get hold of any. Did contact one supplier a few weeks ago and was told they'd stopped making them. This is the stuff I've already had on mine too so I can only assume it's the fact it's been disturbed or perished that's the cause of at least my front drivers side. £16 a pop for getting into the door is a bit annoying too, lost count of the number of times I've been in for locks, window regulator etc.

Yeah if I ever get mine sealed I'm a little worried about the additional noise but needs must at the moment. Think I'm going to attempt it next weekend. Have the rear door to do by the looks of it too.

Take it you've not got any project pictures would be massively helpful for a numpty like me!