Hi folks,

I've mostly lurked here and have always remained impressed by the quality of the know how here. Now finally I can (hopefully) tap it.

A few months ago I started having weird electrical issues with my 02 plate 1.8 Octavia vRS. It started with the red door open light on the dash sporadically coming on and off. Then I noticed the sunroof would move on its own. Then the passenger side door mirror motor got stuck moving the mirror inwards and never disengaging.

I was wondering if anyone knew of a common circuit or device that would link all of these before I start paying Skoda through the nose to diagnose and hopefully fix the problem? I have some mechanical skills and some household electrical skills but haven't done anything electrically on a vehicle beyond replacing radios/headlamps/batteries/speakers.

Currently the passenger mirror is disconnected as it was running the battery down, I still get the red door open light coming on/going off randomly/flickering when driving and still get the sporadic sunroof movement although that's pretty rare.

Oh, in case it's relevant, when I bought the car it had a third part alarm/immobiliser fitted. It's still fitted but I'm unable to use it due to it going off whenever the red door light comes on.

Many thanks

Water ingress into the connector block on the drivers door electric motor/central convenience unit would be my guess. Or a broken wire / insulation failure between the door and car on the A pillar.

Water ingress into the connector block on the drivers door electric motor/central convenience unit would be my guess. Or a broken wire / insulation failure between the door and car on the A pillar.

Thanks for the reply. Is that a dealer only fix or something that can be done at home? I'm also assuming you mean the passenger door?

The CCU (central convenience unit) controls the sunroof so this is the likely culprit in this case, rather than the more common window motor control unit problems.

had pretty much identical issues and the problem was CCM module:

also, worth checking big black plastic connectors in the doors (one each side) as sometimes they might get rusty and cause same issues.

EDIT: ^ ah someone else had the problem, brilliant. Is CCM/CCU the same thing? Where is it? Apologies for what are probably such basic issues, this is the first (thankfully) I've ever had to mess with electrics on a car. Otherwise it still runs brilliantly.

What are the chances of the CCU being at fault for all three issues or is there a chance I've got two problems? I know Occams Razor and all that but figured I'd ask.

Are these parts a bitch to get to?

Edited 18 August, 201114 yr by Hacre

CCM - central convenience module

CCU - central convenience unit, so it's just the wording

It's located under the dash. take off the plastic cover above the pedals and then look for black box, size of 2 cigarette packets and 2 big connectors. it's not too far from the steering column. you should be able to see it if you put your head by the pedals.

As for getting it - depends. sometimes here you can find one going for 30-40 quid, when i needed one (urgently - windows were opening during winter), managed to get CCM from a golf. it was ~70 quid and not identical match to VRS's one as my onboard computer shows only trip average fuel consumption now, where before it was showing overall average as well.

pretty sure it's just the CCM module that's faulty, however, cannot guarantee that

hope this helps

CCM - central convenience module

CCU - central convenience unit, so it's just the wording

It's located under the dash. take off the plastic cover above the pedals and then look for black box, size of 2 cigarette packets and 2 big connectors. it's not too far from the steering column. you should be able to see it if you put your head by the pedals.

As for getting it - depends. sometimes here you can find one going for 30-40 quid, when i needed one (urgently - windows were opening during winter), managed to get CCM from a golf. it was ~70 quid and not identical match to VRS's one as my onboard computer shows only trip average fuel consumption now, where before it was showing overall average as well.

pretty sure it's just the CCM module that's faulty, however, cannot guarantee that

hope this helps

Thank you very much. If that unit is responsible for controlling all the problematic items then it certainly sounds likely. I'll see if I can locate one from a scrappy, even a busted one, if the symptoms change we know we're golden. Thanks a lot folks.

On the off chance I do have two issues and there's water ingress on the passenger door is it just a case of taking the inside trim off and looking for signs of water damage?

Edited 19 August, 201114 yr by Hacre

Thank you very much. If that unit is responsible for controlling all the problematic items then it certainly sounds likely. I'll see if I can locate one from a scrappy, even a busted one, if the symptoms change we know we're golden. Thanks a lot folks.

On the off chance I do have two issues and there's water ingress on the passenger door is it just a case of taking the inside trim off and looking for signs of water damage?

ah...missed very important bit check connections here first, before you give away your hard earned money especially big black plastic connection.

and for CCM module - take yours off as you will need P/N when buying new one. or do like i did: took off the plastic cover, unbolted CCM module and drove like this to a scrappy. unplugged and took it with me, got new one, plugged in, tested, paid money

Ok quick update to this..

After disconnecting and inspecting my CCM, all the problems have gone away. Door mirror behaving, no strange lights, nothing. I did notice that it looks like someone has been splicing into the loom, I can only assume that's for the after market alarm that's been fitted. Possible short here? Check all those splices?

If anyone can tell me how you get the fascia off that's under the steering column/goes around the headlight switch, I'd be very grateful. It seems to be stuck just under where the moulding around the speedo/odometers starts but I can't see where to check for a stubborn clip or a screw and obviously don't want to break it.

Thanks again.