AlexBlue

When I had gremlins (random things not working), it all went away with a new battery. My car is 2018 and I replaced the battery last year.

It’s been a year since I bought some LEDs to go in the boot. I think I bought them via link someone else posted here. Fast-forward to a few weeks ago. Came out to my car to see the indicators all on and flashing (normal looking frequency). First thought was break-in and alarm was dead or had stopped. Car was locked but glovebox was open but I remembered that I likely left it open by accident. Anyway, relocking the car and all looked well. I guessed maybe it was a warning indicator that the glovebox was open (and I didn’t see it when I previously locked the car) Last week same thing happened, but this time I noticed it when locking up. The indicators did their 2 blips, but then carried on flashing. Repeated the unlock/lock and the same thing happened again, and again... Had car booked into dealer (still had 2 weeks left on my warranty!), but when they said it was a week to the next slot, and I said I could leave it unlocked, or lock it and have the battery drain that they told me to call Skoda assist at least to get a diagnosis or even fix it. AA guy spent 2 hours on my car. We played around with fuses, interior sensors, battery (all things I had seen mentioned with this kind of fault, though not so much with VAG cars). Managed all kinds of different things. The mirrors didn’t always close, the alarm went off after a few seconds of being locked, saw the maxidot show the boot was open when it wasn’t, saw the boot indicator flashing between open and closed at high frequency. Really weird stuff. Last thing we did after checking boot latches was to swap the LEDs in the boot back to the originals. After this, it seems that all is OK again (and nothing odd in the week since) I’m really hoping this is the cause of the issue (and I can see how it could be related seeing as the locking system is tied into so many other functions). Just wanted to post something here just in case anyone else has a similar problem and this may or may not help. I'll be signing up to another year warranty just in case...

Success! Took around 20 hours to 'Full', took Octy out today and S/S kicked in after a small number of miles. I went for a Ring RSC806 - it doesn't have the diagnostic capability of the RSC6xx but it does have the same 7-stage charging profile which sounds fancy even if it's just snake oil! Probably just means it takes a bit longer as it's taking its sweet time. So now I'll look at topping up the battery every couple of months (or more in winter) as my longer journeys are fewer with more shorter ones in between.

aahh, so perhaps what I was looking at wasn't the indicator but the visual description of what the indicator means... with a window-looking area next to it (which a quick glance down couldn't see much, it was very dark down there)... feeling a bit dim now :( But nevertheless, getting a charger seems to be a good plan in any case - because even if it's not knackered it's unlikely to be close to optimal. Various options around those mentioned above. ~£40-80 depending on how much detail or diagnostics are needed by the looks of it. Appreciate the input and pointers

Thank you for your advice and tips - and successful hunt for info on the indicator. Yes I would suspect this monitoring tech is similar amongst manufacturers - why it's not obvious on Moll website or datasheets I have no idea. So hopefully not all is lost, as you suggest a slow charge to bring it up to Green seems like a good plan. I've seen a Ring 6A charger (~1/10 battery max discharge rate from what I read is rule of thumb) for £25 that works in a low current charge mode with very few complaints, so will likely be good enough here - though an 8A version is only a couple of pounds more. Will be slightly better than having to drive around in this weather with the heated seats and all the other heaters on (winter pack ftw!) and lights. Thanks again

Hi All Nearly 3yo Octavia (1.5tsi), not driven too much in the last year (around 5k), mostly 20mi e/w commute and some local trips. Since before Chrsitmas I've noticed that stop/start hasn't been working, so I suspect a battery charge issue. Never had problems starting the car though, but nothing changed after a 200mi drive (seeen that maybe battery charging isn't so great if the engine/alternatior isn't well loaded?). Had a gander at the battery today and see the indicator denoting the low electrolyte is yellow. I can't find anything online to suggest if this is a positive for low electrolyte or not. If it is, can it be topped up with distilled water, can I get Skoda to do it? I'm guessing it's not warranty? And perhaps I should get a battery charger. And somehting to measure the battery voltage at a 12V socket... Battery is 12V 69Ah EFB. Thanks Alex

I've just completed a 130 mile drive in my 1.5, first 100 miles at 70, last 30 at 54 (along the m27), trip computer has 57.5. I don't see why 80 isn't possible. No pulls from lorries etc.

I've ordered a couple of pairs, on the slow plane from China...

It's easy to find lights for mk3 up to 2017, which gives the impression they're not ok for the FL. I haven't pulled a boot light out to check, but are they the same?

And given a payment holiday is not the same as a 'we won't charge any interest' holiday, which don't exist, I'd imagine the total paid over 4 years is no different to what it was before with a 5.x% rate (assuming the deposit contribution is normal, given I had that a couple of years back).

17 plate blue, would that be the darkish 'petrol blue'? If so that was replaced with the 'energy blue' (my 18 plate has that one). Mind you I don't know as much as others here. Edit... Wrong darker blue, as below, it was the Pacific blue.

The equa index (Google it) is a good place to go to for for as close to real world comparisons as you're likely to get. I found it useful.

I think that's pretty much how it works, they'll only replace it if they think it needs doing. A bit of a rip off if you want to go dealer for servicing. My cars in warranty, had first two services free so signed up for this for the next 2 (30k and 40k miles) which will take me up to 3 years, then get it done for a fraction at any one of the many local guys near me. It's my first expenditure on my car after 18 months, so this covers the next 18 months (though I'll need a new pair of front tyres too)

May '18 sel manual, just been serviced, no updates (I did ask specifically) . Drove a focus the other week, it was pleasant to drive, was frugal (surprisingly I thought), and pulling away was a dream.

I used carfile.net, found through a user of this site and also honestjohn. They're not a broker really as they use a single source supply for each brand (that was the experience with skoda anyway). The benefit is that the prices are up front, no log in required. No payment to them, everything through the dealer.