RichardBerry66

Thank you both for your advice. Ultimately it was both the battery and the alternator that had to be replaced but I'm up and running again. Very helpful, so thanks again.

I have a Skoda Fabia Comfort 16v, automatic, 2002. Earlier this year the battery died and I had a new one fitted. All has been fine and great and it's run like a dream. Until last night. I'd been out driving for about half an hour, and was driving along a main road when the battery light lit up red, stayed on for a minute, went off, came on again etc. I managed to get back to my street when slowly things started failing - the power steering stopped so it was a real effort to move the car to a position, the lights dimmed then went out, then just as I managed to park it all the lights on the dashboard came on, then everything in the car died. Totally dead. Thank goodness I managed to get it somewhere "safe". I came back to it this evening and it started after a few coughs, but with the engine light illuminated. After a couple of minutes it all died again. I tried a jump start and it worked a treat, all roared back into life although the engine light stayed on. But before I could get back in to rev the engine after disconnecting the battery it all died again. As I say, the battery is new and, although I don't run the car that much, the previous battery would do obvious things when it was low or dead, ie not start, or at least cough and splutter. Even when it was on its last legs a jump start would give it lots of life until I'd parked it again.. This is different as the whole car dies soon after it starts. As it's certain I'll need a garage tow it away anyway is there much point spending money on this now, does it sound like a straightforward solution or are the local mechanics going to have a cash cow on their hands? Any advice would be very welcome! Thanks.

I have a ten year old Fabia and am looking for advice on its upkeep