Removing the old battery to make way for a new one might seem a relatively simple operation. I thought so until I tried to do so on my 2000 Octavia 1.9TDI Estate. I am somewhat baffled how to remove the battery when there is a fuse box hovering over the top of it. This fuse box obviously has to be removed first but how ? Appreciate some help as the current battery is virtually dead !

Undo the negative and live clamps on the battery, and the whole fuse assembly should hinge out of the way. At the front bottom of the battery is a bolt and small metal plate - undo that and remove. Lift battery out, and replace.

No such luck when I tried this afternoon Mbames. The fuse assembly appears to be attached to a metal clamp approx. 2 inchs wide which clips over the front of the battery. I tried to prise it off but to no avail. Perhaps I was being too gentle as I did not want to damage the fuse assembly, especially as I cannot see what is going on at the back end of the metal clip which is hidden by the fuse assembly

I changed mine on my vrs other day, my fuse box is held to battery tray assembly with a plastic bracket that is clipped on at either side and back,

The battery as mbarmes says is held on with a 13mm bolt to bottom of battery tray

I'll see if I can take a picture for you shortly.

Many thanks Mbames. I have also taken a picture which I hope is attached.

Oh, that is a totally different arrangement to mine (2001, facelift), so that makes my pictures rather pointless. It looks like there are 2 sets of hinges on the nearest side of the fuse box though - I guess one is a cover to allow access to the fuses and maybe the other to enable the box to be pivoted out of the way.

Sorry, I can't be of much more help as I am not familiar with this design/layout :-(

Thanks for trying Mbames. Perhaps, now that I have added a picture, someone else might have some first hand experience of this particular arrangement.

Thanks for trying Mbames. Perhaps, now that I have added a picture, someone else might have some first hand experience of this particular arrangement.

Mine is the later version but Mr Haynes shows your version in his manual. Take off the negative battery lead then unclip the plastic cover over the fuses by squeezing the plastic lugs together. Next undo the fuse holder retaining nut and PUSH DOWN on the battery clamp to release it from under the battery lip. The rest is straight forward and obvious.

Hope that is helpful.

oooh, I never thought to consult the book of fibberations - silly me, especially as it is sat beside me on my desk!

Success !! Main prob was loosening the nut attaching the fuse ass. to the battery and it was a 2 man job to swop the batteries over as the fuse ass. did n't hinge over and out of the way. But we managed whilst curing the design !

Many thanks pikpilot and mbames