Just had this when I set off home from work.

When accelerating, the battery light flickered. It did it for maybe 3-4 minutes every time I accelerated then stopped doing it once the car had warmed up.

No problems starting, no other symptoms.

Called at a garage and they tested my alternator and pronounced it healthy.

No obvious loose wires anywhere.

Battery on its way out maybe?

Oh yeah and the wife is eight and half months pregnant so the last thing I need is car problems right now!!

Sounds like a slipping drive belt on the alternator, they're more prone to slip when you accelerate. Any screeching noises on acceleration that go with it?

Sounds like a slipping drive belt on the alternator, they're more prone to slip when you accelerate. Any screeching noises on acceleration that go with it?

Just what I was going to say.

Had this on previous cars - worse when raining and the belt is wet.

That would also explain the occasional whistling noise on cold start that I've been having.

So... how hard is it to change?

I was thinking of the alternator sprague clutch rather than the aux drive belt, but everyone's agreed that the alternator's fine, and the issue is with the drive.

Oh yeah and the wife is eight and half months pregnant so the last thing I need is car problems right now!!

I have had the same problem on other cars, one i remember was the alternator diode pack failing so ended up getting an exchange one.

Congrads on the impending new arrival, want some old skoda wheel caps for the pram wheels?, and dont forget you need vrs stickers on the front and back.

Peter

Hmm, local auto parts shop says the belt is $176 - about 80 quid. Sounds a bit steep!!

£10 for an aux drive belt for my TDI from eurocarparts. I think the aux belt drives the alternator, PAS and aircon.

£23 for a cambelt (not the kit)

hth.

non air con belt £9.99

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Skoda-Octavia-1-8-20V-Alternator-Fan-Drive-Belt-/230423784043?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM

with air con belt £12.99

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Skoda-Octavia-1-8-20V-Alternator-Fan-Drive-Belt-aircon-/230423784934?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM

just a rough idea, if these are any good?

Edited 29 August, 201015 yr by sivrs

While you've got it off, make sure the pulley on the end of the alternator is tight on it's spindle and in good condition (no play) as these are prone to snapping sometimes requiring a new alternator. Happened to me when it came into summer and hadn't used air con for months due to weather. Engaged air con thus applying more pressure to the belt and bang! End of the alternator pinged off and belt destroyed itself!

While you've got it off, make sure the pulley on the end of the alternator is tight on it's spindle and in good condition (no play) as these are prone to snapping sometimes requiring a new alternator. Happened to me when it came into summer and hadn't used air con for months due to weather. Engaged air con thus applying more pressure to the belt and bang! End of the alternator pinged off and belt destroyed itself!

Had the Aux Belt and Alternator pulley ( they can be replaced without a new Alternator ) by an indi VW tech for £60 all in partd and labour . They did it when replacing Time belt , as i had a slipping Aux belt and was making a loud noise on full lock ( tension on the Alt Pulley .

non air con belt £9.99

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...les_CarParts_SM

with air con belt £12.99

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...les_CarParts_SM

just a rough idea, if these are any good?

So once again they're having a laugh with the parts prices here. Typical!

Thanks mate, hadn't got around to searching properly

So once again they're having a laugh with the parts prices here. Typical!

Thanks mate, hadn't got around to searching properly

ebay is my friend

this is what happens when your at work with nothing to do to many hours are spent on ebay so i'm glad i could put it to some actual use for a change instead of just looking for things i cant have!

...instead of just looking for things i cant have!

Sounds familiar!