I'm in France and have a friend here who's Dutch.

They have a 1.9 tdi Octavia Estate.

The battery goes flat overnight. They seem to think the brake lights are coming on but I can't make them stay on. It may be a red herring.

So, is there any history of brake light switches making contact on their own. If not has anyone had this problem and can give me a pointer. It is charging and the battery seems to be in good condition. It will recharge from the alternator in 1/2 hour. That's from so discharged it won't light the ignition warning lamp!

Next question, if you don't mind, is how much room is there on the East-West engine to change the cam belt. I've done mine on an Audi A6 but that's North-South and when everything is out of the way it's easy. (It's just getting everything out that's the pain).

I was trained as a mechanic and have a well equipped workshop I have a cam belt kit and a water pump ready to fit.

But first I want to find which circuit is draining the battery. .

Many thanks,

Not really sure about the battery drain issue....is the battery itself in need of replacement?

If you've done a cambelt on an A6, you won't have a problem with the east-west engine. Access is tighter, but not so bad when you get the front wheel off and remove the wheel arch liner. The engine mount has to come out.....don't know if this is the case on the A6.

You also need to change the 2 bolts on the engine mount as they are 1 time use only.

You may not have to remove the engine mount. Haynes manual states:

"A modified right-hand engine mounting was introduced in 05/2005 (SOHC engines, i.e. 1.9 PD) and 06/2006 (DOHC engines), making it unnecessary to remove the mounting for timing belt renewal"

Brake lights coming on isn't unheard of and usually down the the brake swtich by the pedal.

You may not have to remove the engine mount. Haynes manual states:

"A modified right-hand engine mounting was introduced in 05/2005 (SOHC engines, i.e. 1.9 PD) and 06/2006 (DOHC engines), making it unnecessary to remove the mounting for timing belt renewal"

That is true apparently, but I've never done a belt on an engine with the Modified mount.

Thanks all. It's not the battery as if he takes one lead off it will be OK next morning when reconnected. It charges from the alternator at tick over in half hour. It only goes flat if left connected overnight.

I've tried to release the brake pedal slowly but the lights go off. I'll remove the switch and see what it looks like, I just find it difficult to understand how the brake lights are not on when he parks it. The battery goes flat and I come round to jump it and the brake lights are still off. He says he didn't touch the brake pedal when he tried to start as he didn't even get in the car just leaned over.

Sounds like the belt won't be too difficult.

Thanks.