Leaderboard

Electrifying Alexa ...

Merry Christmas from Gandalf and I.

A Trekkie offering from The Discontexter[tm] ...

On the first day of Christmas?

Poor kid 😭

Lovely (? full) Moon still visible this morning..............

Says it all really. Happy Christmas to everyone. 👍🏻🎄

Romanian single malt Christmas pressie: Proper whisky - very good indeed 👍 Gaz

Public charging & the difficulty of using existing chargers and hubs is an issue for many and one not being addressed quickly enough. It is getting attention from some in the media now. http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-67726590 http://bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-59549298 Pictures is at a Hub in Dundee where there is room, a canopy for cover in bad weather or even very sunny conditions. The cables might help many, the screens on the chargers still not great for wheel chair users or maybe others, not so tall etc.

i didnt open it yesterday as i wanted a cleaner pallette... it smells delicious, the Eucalyptus mentioned on the back is definitely there but not over powering. flavour - mildly peaty, but quite delicate. broad range of flavour base and no after taste so its a subtle little tipple. its a bit like... Katie Taylor in a dress. seems quiet and ladylike but will still take yer jaw off with a single swing

Life viewed from a different angle ...

The scuttle connector is a green 10-way. Pin 6 carries a yellow wire from ECU pin 77 to fan control module pin 11 (of 14-way). I think this one is probably low speed command. Pin 7 carries a yellow/red wire originating at ECU pin 79 and going to fan control module pin 7. This is the one I suspect may have a problem. If it were mine I would check that yellow/red visually and then electrically for short and open circuit.

My Felicia has HP Sporting shock absorbers. They are designed in Czechia specifically for Felicia, they are adjustable (normal and sport in steps), and they are very reliable (90K km so far). I use them most of the time on normal mode for best handling in the city. http://www.hpsporting.cz/9._typ_mcpherson_32-22.php The best investment I have made.

I had a look at wiring diagrams, and on AVU with the basic A/C there are two command wires from engine ECU to fan control module. There's a connector in the scuttle area where these pass through. I suspect one of these wires, or its connections (which commands full speed fan activity) may have a problem. Details with wire colours and pin numbers at each point to follow when I get a chance.

Brunch pretty much resembles last nights tea and what will be tonight's tea as well. Maybe more liquid intake today, no driving and tomorrow a Spa day. It is part of a 5-2 diet. 5 meals in the past 24 hours and only 2 in the next

It reviews well: A local celebrity, Dr. Acula, said "It tasted better than virgin's blood, and was also easier to find these days"

No, that will be different pipe diameters throughout. Slight leaks, and corrosion on outer skin of back box are simply not worth attention. Most parts that you might replace with will probably fail sooner than what you have.

Update. Probably a bad idea to pair dinner with a dark wheat beer considering the sprouts and the egg in the Yorkshire pudding. Currently giving Johnny Fartpants a run for his money in the festive trumpeting stakes 😂

If you have not already done so fully and properly check the state of charge (and if possible state of health) of the battery, I wouldn't assume that the Skoda garage has, unless they proved it. Have you checked that the battery terminal post clamps are secure (don't twist) and main earth connection is good? Start with the basics, and in this case easy clean-hands stuff. Put the battery on an appropriate battery charger maintainer (lower amps for longer is my preference) checking the car's Owner's Manual and consulting the manual for the charger for correct way with both (and slowest charge rate for my preference). Don't just think your battery is fine without doing proper checks. The computers run on 5v which gets a bit too thin when the battery is well below snuff (as you see I'm not technical). As you had all the warnings on the car it's unlikely to be your OBDEleven at error or the car's port socket or wiring. You may have more than one problem happening at the same time or one issue (like low battery) causing, or a contributing cause, to one/some/all other problems. Failing that it looks like you might have intermittent connections/wires/computers/programs problem(s) with the electrics/electronics or their parts otherwise the Skoda diagnostics (depending on what it was, or was done) would have picked up on it. Whenever you having (starting or) electrical problems having a fully charged battery will not hinder things but can help or even cure somethings but having a battery that is too low in charge can hinder or even stop diagnosis and/or repairs. It's so easy to charge the battery to full and if it doesn't need much it won't take long to find that out and whilst the charger is doing its work you can be doing anything, in warmth and comfort, more rewarding and pleasurable than working on a car. Leaving a charger maintainer on overnight and it's working while your sleeping, difficult to get easier car work than that. Good luck let us know how you get on.

I kicked this post off back in November 2019 when I decided to fit All Season tyres on my car. 4 years on and it was time to replace my tyres again. The Maxxis AP2s that I opted for previously had served me well. Actually Far better than I anticipated. No matter the season, heatwave or cold snap, or the weather conditions, I found they always gave me confidence. The tyres provided excellent grip, (including the odd times on my steep snow covered road and drive which neighbours struggled or failed to negotiate), braked effectively. They also gave a comfortable ride, and were quiet too. I couldn't have wanted much more. So, what tyres to buy this time around, as unfortunately, the Maxxis AP2 appears to have been superseded. A pity as I'm fairly sure that I would have opted for another set of AP2s in a flash. As was the case 4 years ago, I made my decision after reading reviews & test results, as well as considering my location (the Midlands, UK), my driving style (Mr Average), my car (see below) and annual mileage (very low). I still own my humble but trusty and much appreciated 13 year old Fabia 2 HTP estate. But no matter what the car, I still like to have a set of decent tyres that give me confidence when driving in any weather but without paying a fortune. My choice of tyre in the end was the Hankook Kinergy 4S 2. I had a set fitted last month and It will be interesting to see what I think of them compared to the Maxxis AP2s. Since having the tyres fitted the weather has been unseasonably mild so I'll report back next month when we may have had cooler temperatures and maybe even some snow! In the meantime..... Merry Christmas everyone.

I have owned a skoda superb mark 2 170crdti for three years and enjoyed the car immensely. Because it had a good service history and low mileage I decided to use RRG Skoda in Bolton to service my car and I took out a two year service plan, which worked well for me, the dealership were very helpful and I was so satisfied that in August this year I signed up for another two year deal. As a pensioner on a fixed income I started to pay monthly and booked an annual service for December. Disaster struck at the end of November whilst driving on the M60 in Manchester when two cars piled into the back of mine and the insurance wrote off my car. As you would expect I got less than the cost of a replacement for my low mileage FSH, almost perfect car. I decided to buy another superb this time getting the 140 powered version, higher mileage but 2 years younger, still a mark2 but a face lift. I contacted my Skoda dealership to tell them about the change in car, cancel the pre booked service and asked them to transfer my service plan to the new car, no dice!! VW financial services who administer the plan refused to transfer the plan and also refused me a refund of my payments to date, they did say I could transfer the plan to the scrapyard the Insurers had sent my car to. So a warning to anyone before they take out such a plan, if anyone steals your car and you don't get it back or you write off your vehicle VWFS will try and steal your payments. After a great deal of fruitless complaining to VWFS I wrote a review on Trustpilot, within a week VWFS contacted me and offered a refund as a goodwill gesture. Anyone in this situation should try this approach, a victory for the little person up against a very large business

JR I spoke to VWFS several times I pointed out that I had made payments on a service contract and whilst I was willing to continue to make all the payments due under the plan they were unwilling to provide any of the services that would eventually be paid for. I was not asking for anything not contracted for, I had received no service products from them and they would not transfer the plan to my new car, this would not entail any cost to them greater than the one they had offered as extras needed at service were chargeable and as the cars were near identical no difference in price for a new plan. I asked them to escalate my complaint to the next level and then when they gave me a refusal of refund I could take the complaint to the financial ombudsman. I also asked my local Skoda dealer who had sold me the plan for help, they agreed that I was being treated unfairly and took up my complaint on my behalf with vwfs. prior to receiving their offer of a refund I had" paid for cake yet had not eaten any cake" . There is a term in the contract where it states no refunds or transfers, my warning is that under certain circumstances through no fault of the contract purchaser they cannot utilise the plan and they cannot transfer the plan, as in my case where my car was written off and that prospective purchasers should be aware of this particular drawback. I am not complaining about the eventual outcome of my complaint I am merely warning others not to make the same mistake I made. You state I had the benefit of the plan, this is not true as I received no benefit it is not like insurance or warranty where you have cover for a set period, the service plan is to cover two years servicing and the plan had not been used and never would be used . Skoda admit that their service plan is an effort to maintain customer loyalty for owners of older cars they incentive being Skoda service at a special savings price, by refusing my request in the first instance they were alienating me and creating the opposite to the intended effect. I hope my detailed explanation better defines my reasons for sharing my experience, so others may be warned and that when you complain about unfair treatment and get knocked back you should continue your complaint as often in the end you will succeed.

The point of ACC is not Autopilot. It's not intended to take over steering and control fully for you. It's meant to reduce driving efforts, but you are still driving. If you know how to use it, may easily cross 100+ miles without touching the break or gas pedals. This reduces strain and stress as you still drive, but the car manages a good chunk of the 100s of small adjustments each minute. If you are observant enough you can drive only by changing ACC settings, letting the car manage things. I wouldn't trust any vehicle to drive me in the day and age. They are unreliable and unsafe. I do trust for them to relieve some of the load though, and for 140k+ miles have never let me down once, so that's a pretty good record I'm my book.

First of all, this setup is very rare among the VW group. The majority of the family cars use a two stage temperature sensor (more correctly, a two stage switch) on the radiator and this sensor is feeding the respective module (which is quite plain) Our car has an analog temperature sensor which is feeding directly the ecu and the ecu is giving the orders to the module to operate the fans. If I remember correctly, to test this kind of setup, you need to heat up the sensor or to simulate it's region of resistance (it's a simple thermistor). The control module has all the circuitry, including the fan relays. If you want to test only the fans you need to bypass the module. It's not very difficult, each fan has three wires, one for positive low speed, one for positive high speed and one ground. Furthermore, each speed is protected from different fuses in the fuse box. The green scuttle connector I guess is under the scuttle panel, protected by a waterproof cover. At my left hand drive Octy it is under the wipers motor (I learned that when I retrofitted the cruise control). If you are concerned about overheating, you can hardwire the low and high speed so it always runs the fans at high speed. Too noisy, I'm afraid. Do remember that if the problem comes to coolant fan control 1 (the low speed), the A/C also won't run, as a prevention measure.

The connector I mentioned has only 10 positions for wires, and is green. I can't remember what location the circuits suggested, but I think close to the ECU. Because there are only 10 positions, and the wires are quite bright colours, I think it will be easy to see which are the correct ones. My understanding is that there will be one wire of each colour going from ECU to green connector and then a continuation of each from the mating half of the green connector onward to the fan control module. I will try to find additional info and images tomorrow. Since the fault code refers to "fan control 2" I think it will relate to full speed, not low speed, so probably very rarely, if ever, needed.

"Porch Careerer" collides with house Xmas day ... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-67822316

A DSG, even a wet clutch one can ignore your request to change gear when it is not appropriate. Dry clutch ones doe to protect them selves. Sometimes a SEAT with the same box / engine as in a Skoda might not and drop 2 or 3 gears because in manual you changed down and it might near put you through the windscreen.

Thank you, Pete! I was hoping to see you here! Your help is always useful and accurate. I will check it and report. I will try first pin 7 on the control module, maybe tomorrow, as the access is very easy. But I have to wait for the holidays to go to get into the scuttle connections as it needs some working. Hope it's not the ecu itself that is short-circuited.

Are you sure it is not the foglight illuminating? That function will also light them both when reverse gear is selected with the headlights on.

Apologies for very late update on this. It was the faulty sensor. Replaced it and issue gone. Bundle of thanks for everyone for the help.

Ignore. You'll hear it if any leaks get bad enough.

No problem. By navigating up and down the menu tree on that site you could look up any other parts in future.

My trusty VRs took me from home via Gloucestershire to Atia, Hargita, Romania in one go with stops only for tunnel, one border control and fuel. 24 hours' driving between two of us, nearly 1,600 miles plus the same home over three days week later.

Damn man just trash them for crying out loud, my friend they are no kws to get them rebuilt. Just fit bilstein b4s and talk about it again in 80.000 kms

What form is the energy transfer of this heater? Does it heat the coolant water like an immersion element? Is it a radiant or convector heater? Is it a fan assisted radiant heater? I doubt with any of these that you would feel much effect from 1.25kw within 5 minutes of driving off in a cold car. I have a 5kw diesel heater intended for heating lorry cabs overnight while the driver is sleeping, it is sufficient to heat my workshop but to get any warmth from it in the first 5 minutes you have to stand right in front of it and that is blown warm air.

So to round off this topic with the conclusion. I was having a very senior moment, I had not programmed out the DRLs which was some relief that I had not forgotten doing so, they were in fact still working, the other night as I switched off the lights and ignition I thought I saw some illumination from them but try as I might I could not repeat it, tried restarting, reversing driving forwards, switching off again, - nothing I should add that of course I cannot see them while I am driving and I only notice them when parking at night after turning the headights off, tonight I saw they were definitely working but once again when I tried again there was nothing, I even got out to check. Eventually I found out something I had been aware of in the past the bloomin things turn off when you apply the handbrake! 🙄 so unless you park with the handbrake off and get out to check you will not see them. In the past I had noticed it when parking in front of a reflective shop window so was aware of it. What now has me scratching my head is the other night on a straight main road with no other traffic I turned the switch down to sidelights and could see a tiny glimmer but when I switched it right off there was nothing and the DRLs should have been a lot brighter, I concluded that they did not work at night and the subsequent testing at home made me decide they were not working at all, that still remains a mystery and I will test again, my vehicle does not know if it is day or night, it does not have the light sensor.

https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/skoda/CZ/KAM/584/0/012/12000

I had this on my Superb, turned out the DAB aerial wasn't plugged in to the back of the head unit.

Good point, I'll check it out. Thanks.

Shame sounded like a nice motor. Hope the new one is just as Superb.

Well it was pretty much a splash and dash but the Christmas tradition has been maintained for another year despite the adverse weather conditions. The main problem was not the air temperature, although only five degrees warmer than London today, but the howling gale along the beach. My wife had to hold onto my sandals, clothing and towel while I swam to avoid an impromptu beach sprint pursuit. And I actually enjoyed it.

I coded VIM with Kufatec`s dongle, worked perfectly. You must give them a credit, as they are the only ones on market to enable VIM. Which indicates the level of engeering in the company. I suggested the Kufatec`s camera set just for the coding dongle. Here you can get OEM set for cheaper: https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/566054634a-rear-camera-set-skoda-32794.html Calibration I believe can be done manually with VCDS, at least it was possible for Superb with MIB 2 headunit.

My deepest condolences.

Thanks to Mr Khan we were forced to give up a lovely Freelander and like you, being of the older generation and with the usual knee problems, needed an easily accessible replacement. Ended up with Karoq Sportline 1.5dsg, very pleased with it. As for the forum, don’t just focus on the Kamiq section as similar questions you might have can crop up in other areas.

This software has been verified as working on the Swing and Swing Plus Radios present on the Skoda Fabia MK3 (2017-2021). It's better to don't proceed if you don't have problems with Carplay crackling: the only benefit will be this and it is not convenient for the rest. Reading below you will understand better why. The following, in fact, is only aimed at remedying Skoda's and/or authorized centers's inertia in resolving this serious defect with Carplay which is a potential violation of consumer legislation and is not intended to be in any way an official guide. Before you proceed: - be aware that if you have a radio that is not the one installed when the car was manufactured, by updating you could have serious operating problems because the "crack" that allows to circumvent the Skoda limitations could be removed. An authorized Skoda center would tell you that it is your problem and that they can't do anything, or ask you to pay a lot of money. Same for those who have second hand cars: the radio may have been replaced unofficially and you could have the problem above. - in the same SERVICE MODE menu check that the longest string of the installed version begins with MEN2_EU_SKGPx_ because if it is not, it is practically certain that this software is not suitable for your radio - be aware that those who updated had no problems arriving from software versions 8740 and 8742: if you have previous software, we don't know if it will work. Some users have suggested doing gradual updates (not verified if this is correct). If anyone has updated from previous versions please report it here. - be aware that in any case everything is at your own risk: it seems that many users here have not had any problem with the update. But it is a procedure that intervenes in different components of the car and as in all electronic matters something can go wrong. - be aware that the installation will be fully tracked: the radio will memorize the date and time of the installation. An alert will be activated in the 5F control unit (a harmless fault that can remain forever without creating consequences), precisely aimed at notifying the Skoda assistance network at the first service that an update has been made and this has not been confirmed with the official instrumentation. The warranty is clearly potentially compromised, or they may ask you for money to remove the error (even if it takes them very little). Because on the date and time you did the update the car was not in service in any Skoda center. It depends on how and who manages this alert. Below you will find further information on this alert and how it can be removed with the appropriate tools. PROCEDURE You have to: - use an SD card. It also seems to work in a pendrive but for now no user has confirmed it and in any case it is a less stable device. Always format in FAT32. - download the zip, extract the files and place them in the main folder of the SD/Pendrive. So no subfolders: just the various BT folders, etc. and the metainfo2.txt file. - insert the SD/Pendrive into the car, hold down the SETUP button until the SERVICE MODE menu opens, then open "software update / version" and press UPDATE. The system will ask for confirmation, do a few reboots, and finally, when everything is finished, it will want the Volkswagen "diagnosis tester" device to be connected. Here you can solve it by pressing cancel. The alert will be created in the control unit, as I mentioned above. If you don't want problems with Skoda, you can remove the trace in the ECU via the diagnostic socket: search google/youtube for "Checking software version management" and B201A to better understand how to do it. However, in fact: you need a specific device and software, like OBDEleven or others. Or you can do it without paying a software using a simple OBD2 elm327 dongle and apps like Car Scanner, but error removal procedure can be risky if not done with extreme caution. Nothing impossible, but here too, it is right that you know everything. One possibility, however, is that the Skoda technician could pass by instantly, out of haste or by choice. But if there is a problem, even if it was Skoda who tricked us into doing the upgrade ourselves, you can become the guilty party. I say this because in some parts of Europe there are testimonies of how the 8755 software is declared not compatible with some systems on a prudential basis although it absolutely is in reality (I guess they didn't want to make adequate investments on tests to be sure). They often don't care about Carplay crackling even if under warranty, saying: "Keep the car with the problem, Volkswagen doesn't authorize us to work on this, sue us if you want". Like I said: if we filed a class action against VW we would win and we would have money. But little money and legal fees to advance. And it's a problem that's too ridiculous and quick to solve. About the signature error on replaced radios / second hand cars: surely there is a further unofficial way to remedy this, but you have to search the web and you definitely need at least one OBD2 device. I cannot help you in any way on these issues, including the "Checking software version management" error. It's useless to ask me, I'm sorry. Here is a link to the update that should not expire: https://ln5.sync.com/dl/317e3e7e0#x48kb45t-c729295p-faxdwai4-und5yx7w password: carplay

I found an official workshop manual for the mk3 online for purchase. It covers everything that the dealer needs to do prior to delivery and everything related to servicing and maintenance of the vehicle. It wasn't too expensive to buy £15ish but it's got over 8000 pages with detailed instructions on how to do everything on and in the car. If anyone wants a copy use this link

So......I've got a 69 plate Skoda Karoq 2.0TDI 4x4, now done around 30k miles in the car and wanted to share a few experiences with those thinking of buying one. The Good One the road the car has been spot on. Nice to drive, good level of comfort and never a moment where the car has missed a beat or got into a pickle which could have had consequences. It's also pretty economical with the trip computer often suggesting that I've averaged 47 or 48mpg between tank refills, but also could do with more 'ooomph' for overtaking. So overall on that front, yeh its not been a bad motor at all. The bad Brakes - in 30+ years of motoring, 10+ brand new cars and 15+ nearly news of all multiple makes, models, values and configurations....this is the first car ever where at sub 20k miles the dealer has said that the car needed new discs and pads at the front. Typically I'd normally expect 45k to 50k miles before they even get a mention, but on the Karoq less than 20K. The dealer could not explain why, I told them that I could.....and it could only be quality of the components being significantly lower. There are no other explanations, as everything else is pretty much the same including other 4 wheel drives which still went 40K+ miles before brakes needed a mention. Anyway.....a quick £377 earner for Skoda just for the front changing. Just a little less for the rear I expect. Door Locks - yes I'm one of the many who has been locked out of the Karoq whilst their keys were inside as was my mobile phone......and blocking someone's driveway as I nipped out to open their gates. 3 hrs of life lost, and an damage waiver signed whilst the AA guy prised down the side of the door and went fishing for my keys. When I asked Skoda, why did I personally need to sign an damage waiver when it was Skoda's product at fault and failing whilst under warranty. Hence what other option existed for me at the time? Anyway, responsibility deflected towards the owner of the faulty product, rather than the creator of the fault. 2 faulty door locks now ordered, and set to be replaced. Get yours checked before your warranty expires!! Alloys - Yes, I also have black Diamond Cut alloys and all 4 have the dreaded white worm where the outer lacquer is flaking off. The two rear have been proposed by the dealer to Skoda Warranty for replacement, and the two front are a sore topic because of slight stone chips are a 'get out clause' where Skoda warranty will reject the claim......even though the stone chips are absolutely no where near the area of the white worm flakey area, warranty invalidated. As I explained to the dealer in comparison......if the front of the wing had stone chips why would this invalidate a claim of rust on the rear of the same wing? Panoramic Sunroof - Who would have known that after 2 years they want to give it a service. I can't remember the quote but it was getting on towards £300. I bet I haven't opened it more than a dozen times, that's nearly £25 per go, not a chance of me paying £300 for a sunroof service. Another hidden cost not mentioned when buying the car and as tight Yorkshire man I did ask when buying! Service intervals - When I bought the car from new I specifically asked to be put on the long life (approx 20k miles) service. But no....got to 9k and the lights were calling me in for and oil change some more spend. Again I asked to be changed onto the long life, as per my original request. But no, got to 19K and the lights were calling me in again......no need to tell you which lights are now showing once again at 30k. Key Fob Batteries - Yes they don't really last much beyond 6 months, and they often show no signs of a fading battery.....just a dead battery at the most inconvenient time and place. And if you believe Skoda they insist the replacement battery must be one of their own....not a Duracell, Energizer .....only a Skoda Battery will do. Complete cods wallop ofcourse!! DAB Radio - It is the least capable DAB tuner that I've ever experienced. I get less than half the stations which I do in my other car parked right next door to each other on the same drive way....and it doesn't improve on the move either. The Ugly Amongst the many cars that I have previously owned there have been at least 6 or 7 brand new Skoda's in the past since my first in 2002. The big draw towards giving Skoda a chance around 2002 was the then JD Power Surveys and claimed customer care. No quibbles, they wanted and appreciated your business and this was reflected in their regular top 10 places. Sadly not any more, and they seem to do anything and everything to make money out of each existing client and sadly product quality has slipped massively. I live around 1hr away from the Skoda dealer, so each time I go there I lose a minimum of 4hrs if they can't do the work whilst I wait (there & back to drop off...there and back for collection too). Each time they need the car for a day before ordering warranty replacement parts, and of course you then have to come back again ............thus time doubles due to the return visit for fitting or rectifying. The car owes me 20 or 30 hrs, of time that I've simply not had to give during the ownership of any other car. I work for myself, so as annoying as this is, I can find the time. However, for those who don't have this flexibility I really feel for you, because sadly you'll need to give your Skoda dealer lots of time and money during your ownership. I can't see there being another Karoq for me on the horizon anytime soon....perhaps not even another Skoda either. Somewhere out there is another hungry car maker who appreciate their clients much more than Skoda currently do, with quality to match also.

The checker-plate load cover was vandalised, apparently by someone who did not realise that the way to get into the back was to open the tailgate! I may replace that at some point, but in the meantime I have fitted a tonneau cover. Not having the rigid load cover meant that I was not constrained to only carry level loads, which proved useful more than once. This picture was taken before the tonneau was fitted. Making my own Fun