I've found a couple of threads here but none describe my exact problem. I've got a facelifted MK2 Octavia, 2009, 1.9TDI which has served me like a beauty until 21'o clock today. After turning on the car, the instrument panel starts flickering for a few seconds, and then turns off completely. When i turn the car off/turn the key to contact, it turns back on, fully working. When i turn the car on, the panel stays on for a second or two and the shuts down. When the panel is off, it's completely off, the gauges, the lights, the board computer, turn signals everything. What i found out is when i turn the steering wheel all the way to the side (either side) it starts up for a second but then it shuts down again. Haven't tried any quick fixes (fuse 15) because I don't want to screw something up and i'm definitely taking the car to an official Skoda service as soon as i can, but i don't want them taking money from me without first checking with you guys for an answer. Thank you!

I've been looking through ebay to see how much I could get a Maxidot instrument cluster for my car but noticed there's quite a lot of listings advertising repair services for clusters that flicker and die although they don't say what the fix they do is but if it is as common as the listings imply (as in not a one-off) hopefully someone here can point you to a solution.

John

Has the battery ever been changed?? If not its four years old so worth checking its not a flat battery first.

@John, the thing is I'm from Bosnia, there aren't many advertised nearby.

@adamal, no, but the stereo is working perfectly like everything else, nothing points to lack of juice.

Just thought it was worth a mention as initial battery issues manifest in strange ways on these cars!!! Good luck with the diagnosis

Just thought it was worth a mention as initial battery issues manifest in strange ways on these cars!!! Good luck with the diagnosis

That's good to know, i'll definitely try that first then, thank you!

I had a flat battery recently and was confused as to why the stereo, lights, etc. worked but the dash panel played odd tricks and there was no sign of life in the engine.

Turned out it was the battery that was flat.

Definitely worth checking as a starting point.