Sammy Craig

I'm always polite! It's sorted itself out. Went to the car yesterday and pressed the remote to unlock out of habit and it just worked! Checked everything a few times, still ok, and was fine this morning too. Feeling a bit lucky after the bad luck with the box. Thanks very much for the suggestions. Cheers Sammy

Hi Tilt, thanks for your response. The fob is fine, everything was working before it went in for a new gearbox and the battery was off for a while. The centre console switch works normally if I use it before turning the engine on (i.e., first turn of the ignition so everything is on but before firing the engine). It's at the point that the engine is turned that the car locks and the centre console orange lock light on the switch comes on. Cheers Sammy

Hi For anyone who saw my recent last post about the gearbox - total mess, gear bearings had gone and were doing an impression of a tumble dryer full of pig iron. The rest of the box was trashed accordingly (it's in the boot if anyone wants pictures!). Total rebuild, all new internals, bell-housing welding repair, box out and in - £750. Decent price, feels like a great job done and with 12 months warranty. Happy to pass the contact details if anyone needs a top manual gearbox man in Nottingham. However ... there's always a 'however' ... I've now got central locking problems. Looked all over the internet for advice and nothing worked so far. It seems that safe-locking has activated (?), because as soon as I turn the ignition all the doors lock instantly and the lock light on the centre console turns on. What won't work is trying to unlock from the remote control (it still locks the whole car and still unlocks the boot remotely, and the key itself unlocks the car). I've changed the remote battery, tried various fixes like sitting in the car and using the central locking button 8-10 times but no joy. I've only ever had one key so can't attempt the two key solution. Does anyone have any ideas or is it a dealership waste of money for a 2 minute fix? Or does anyone know anyone in the Nottingham area that has the appropriate wizardry to fix it? The main battery has been disconnected during repairs, which I think has caused the problems rather than the 3rd button on the remote itself being the issue - it worked fine before going in for the repairs. Any help greatly appreciated, after shelling out £750 I really haven't got any cash to spend at Skoda's. Thanks all.

Hi all, It looks like the gearbox on my 1.9TDi is on the way out. The gear stick started to vibrate when in 3rd last week, but this morning it was making nasty mechanical noises when coasting in 2nd and 4th. Has anyone had a similar problem? Can anyone recommend a supplier for refurb or used gearboxes in the Midlands, please? Also, to help in the search for a replacement, does anyone know the part number for the manual 5-speed gearbox in the 1.9 diesel, please? I should say she's done 185k miles now, so I can't really complain. Thanks for any advice! Regards Sammy

Hi Merry Christmas firstly! Sat here having a good natter with me Bro after turkey n all, and he's telling me about all the ills he has with the electrics on his Golf Mark 4 1.9 TDi 130. Is there an equivalent VW forum to Briskoda anyone can suggest I point him to, please? Cheers for any advice. Our Tommy will be most grateful. Sammy

I paid 4k for my Octy 1.9TDi Elegance with extras like leather seats 2 years ago on a 55 and bought it with 130k on the clock. Full dealer history etc, mainly motorway mileage. Had it remapped by JabbaSport with a view to improving high speed performance and overtaking rather than away from the lights, and it's been superb (no pun intended), although the remap costs me about £150 a year in additional insurance. I've had the cambelt done but only as per service schedules, otherwise issues with parking sensors, rear wash, water pump (my fault really, they're known for going and I should have replaced the £40 part with the cambelt change). There's a hint of 3rd gear graunch if I give her some hammer up the via Gellia, but no problem in everyday driving at all. She drives like a new car even now. Recommended! Good luck with whatever you buy. Oh, and MPG on the motorway: About 61 at 60mph, 55 at 75, 48ish at 90.

Mine's a 55 1.9 PD105 with 157k on the clock now, had a trip to Scunny a couple of weeks back in the very cold and the water pump gave up the ghost, so nursed her there and back at 55-70 and she returned 61.3. Warms the cockles. JabbaSport remap. Fine motors if you get a good second hander.

Well folks, a big thank you for your helpful suggestions. In the end I've used Chris Knott (via the very helpful Rebecca) and the quote came in at £585 in the end, which was an improvement on last year's RAC quote, so I'm a happy bunny. I really appreciate the time folk here have taken to help me out. Cheers Sammy

That's interesting Brimma - Admiral declined me before I went to the RAC as the power increase in the remap was over 20%! When did you last renew, if you don't mind me asking please?

Hi I've just had a letter from the RAC saying they are unable to provide an insurance renewal quote despite them having insured me with a declared remap for the last two years. I've rung them and they tell me it's because of the remap (or engine modification in their jargon) that they cannot quote. Can anyone 1) Suggest an insurer they can recommend and 2) relate any similar experiences? I have a totally clean licence and have never had an accident. I last claimed for vehicle theft eight years ago. Thanks in advance for any help. Cheers Sammy

I've got the same problem, high pitched tone instead of the normal beeps, no graphic, then a momentary graphic of the car after I've taken her out of reverse. Have followed the 'clicking sensor' advice and found one not working. Will let you know how it goes in terms of repair. Thanks to all the other previous posters who've helped me get to the fault diagnosed stage. Cheers Sammy

Thank you! Sorted me out too in no time that one.

Hi Just in case this happens to someone else - it was resolved by disconnecting then reconnecting the battery, which reset the system. All fine now. Regards Sammy

Hello all I've had a peculiar problem today. When I turned the ignition off the CD stayed on, so I got out and tried the key fob to lock and alarm the car, wondering if it would also turn the radio off. Instead she was unresponsive to the key fob, the radio stayed on and the alarm didn't set - neither did the indicators flash. I could physically lock the car with the key and the alarm appeared to set. When I got back in, I tried a few times to start up (the car started no problem) in the hope that would reset the problem, but it didn't. Now, the car runs fine, but the indicators and indeed none of the binnacle column stalk functions work at all. Yet if I put the hazards on the indicators work. The lights work fine on the switch down on the right of the dash, but the main beam on the column and headlight flash don't work. The horn doesn't work either, neither do the windscreen wipers etc. I'm flummoxed. Can anyone help please? There's no previous on this, it has just happened today. Thank you for any help you can offer. Sammy Craig. Octavia II 1.9 TDI Elegance

Aha, thank you, looking at those picture angles it makes sense now. Very kind of you. Cheers Sammy

Me too!

I've looked on the Brodit site for that mounting but can't see it anywhere; they all seem to want to use 'Pro-Clips'. Any chance you could have a look and post a link if you can still find it, if you would be so kind, please? Thank you Sammy

I bought a 1.9TDi Elegance on a 55 last Saturday and so far am hugely impressed overall, although I've got it in with jabbasport for a remap from 105 up to 145 next week. I'm interested to know what the engine in your TDi was bearing in mind how happy you are with the new motor (which sounds lovely btw!) in terms of performance? Hope you have many happy times in the 1.8TSi! Cheers, Sammy

Well folks thank you for a fantastically quick response! Talk about first impressions, certainly looks like I've found the right community. I'm in Nottingham - the car has done fairly hgh mileage at 136,000 with a full dealer service history. It's tight as a nut though. I'm not looking to break the sound barrier (I'd have bought the VRS that was so tempting!) but want a solid and reliable job that doesn't compromise the motor, and gives me a nice grin occasionally. Thanks again for your help all. Cheers Sammy

Hi all I've recently bought a 55 Octavia 1.9 TDi and am considering a remap. Is there a provider or two that stand out as the best? Thanks for any help in advance. Cheers Sammy Craig

Thank you for your kind welcome! Day 3 and more impressed by the mile

Hello folks I've just bought my first ever Skoda, much to my father's delight. His only ever brand new car was a Skoda Favorit, reg J 34 CRB. Hopefully it had an honorable ending around some Pedigree Chum And what a contrast in 18 or so years. Yesterday afternoon I became the proud owner of a 55 plate Octavia 1.9 TDi Elegance and was hugely impressed on the long drive home, crisp and smooth ride, tight steering, excellent brakes and a reasonable amount of poke in a very comfortable cabin. First impressions could not be better. Nice to join your club. Sammy Craig