Hello everyone,

I'm stightly frustrated.

I've recently bought a very nice Skoda Octavia 1999 1.6 with Auto gearbox.

The car is lovely.

However from the get-go I can see the 'service INSP' message flashing on the mileage counter.

Obviously I've made some research on the internet and found instructions how to reset the service indicator.

For instance:

Ignition off

Press and Hold Button "A"

Ignition ON

Release Button "A"

Press and release button "A"

INSP should be displayed

Models with digital clock : turn button "B" to right until "---" is displayed

Models with analogue clock : pull out button "B" until "---" is displayed

If no success 1st go, try it again. Sometimes it takes a couple of goes....

It doesn't work in my case.

Whenever I switch the ignition on while the mileage reset button is pressed, INSP disappears and '0' comes up on the screen. Then I release the button and press it and release again. But '0' is still there. Try to turn the left hand side know to the right and hold. Still nothing.

Can anyone tell me why is that?

Oh, I would forget. All trip computer setting are reset everytime I swith the engine off and on.

Is is some kind of battery?

It sounds like the fuse for the instrument cluster has gone. By 'gone' it could have just blown or it could simply not be there. Removing this fuse is a work around for the infamous Octavia dashboard problem, for which there are some quite sizeable threads on the subject.

If you purchased it from a dealer see if you can get them to fix it.

I bought it from a private seller.

Could you please precise which fuzz could it be?

In manual I've got only two for 'Instrument cluster':

11 - Instrument cluster, selector lever lock (automatic gearbox) - 5

15 - Instrument cluster, automatic gearbox - 5

Is it one of these?

Yes, number 15 is the one to check.

The fusebox diagram is a mirror image for LHD cars so make sure you get the right one.

Got it! Found the fuse. It was blown. Replaced it and all the settings now remain after the engine is off. I could also get rid of the INSP message.

However I made a test drive and as fordfan said the clocks go off sometimes.

Is it a big thing to repair?

OK, already found some news on the forum about this.

It's definetely not a job for me.

Wonder if there are any garages in my area (Hertfordshire), that can fix it.

Thanks guys for your help.

What I learnt here is I'll have to take the fuse out again soon.