Hi, I have a W reg 1.4 MPI fabia, I was driving to Manchester the other day and the EPC light came on, however there was no loss of power, or any signs of of trouble. This went off after I pulled over rand restarted the engine, however when left for a couple of days and I went back to the car and the battery was completely flat, no clock or odometer.

I've since recharged the battery during the course of today and its now able to start, however the EPC light came back on as well as my brake lights not working intermittently, all other lights are working (headlights indicators and side lights and interior lights) However it would appear if left standing there is a drain on the battery as when left for 20 mins it took longer to start than earlier. My first thought was the battery was draining through damaged wiring on the radio loom, however I'm not sure if that would drain the battery as quickly as it did/

Is this a sign that the alternator is dying? is there anyway that I can check it without an voltmeter? I'm just trying to avoid taking it to the main dealer, as there doesn't appear to be an independents around where I am (not far from Sheffield city centre)

Any help would be very much appreciated,

Adrian

Put a voltmeter across the two battery terminals, you should see around 12v DC. Run the engine and the volts should go up to a little over 14v. Check the battery terminals and earth leads are clean and making good connections.

Unfortantely I dont have one with me up here, and I'm reluctant to buy one as I've al;ready had to buy a charger and socket set to get this far, Is there anything else I could do? I just dont really want to drive it as I don't feel its safe if the brake lights aren't constantly working

Could the intermittent brake lights and EPC light just be a dogey brake light switch on the pedal? If so is that easy enough to change and clear the fault with just basic tools? Would a battery health check at a halfords be enough to check both the battery and alternator to see if they are working sufficiently?

You need to have the fault codes read, either spend the £6 on VCDS lite if you have an old netbook or laptop or take it to somewhere who can (check the thread on members with VCDS near you). You could try having a load test done on the battery at Halfraud's etc but it may only diagnose the symptom not the cause and you still have to get the battery to whoever tests it.

As for the expense of buying a multimeter or a cheap socket set they're once in a lifetime purchases and the kind of basic kit that you should be carrying anyway or at least have along with jump leads, a tow rope, HV vest, foil blanket, cable ties, gaffer tape and a bulb/fuse kit, water etc. OK I spend a lot of time in the middle of nowhere but this is the kind of basic kit that can make the difference between 3hrs sat waiting for recovery or getting yourself home.

OK I'll try and get the faults read, would it be possible for you to post a link to where I may be able to ask someone local if they'd be able to hook my car up?

I can drive the car as I 've just left the battery unconnected for now to avoid the drain until I can figure out how its being drained, just seems strange when its all since the EPC light came on but yes I'll try and get the codes read.

I have a few basic tools like a socket set, its just a have a voltmeter back home, I just didnt bring it to Sheffield with me so thats why I'm trying to avoid buying another if possible you see.

Thanks,

Adrian

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262215-list-of-vcds-owners-previously-known-as-vag-com/#entry3091029

You have a few members listed in Sheffield so probably worth contacting them, you never know someone may be quite close by.

Ok, cheers much appreciated

We had a very similar problem on our 02 plate 1.4 mpi & 03area is near the mark, in that the fault diagnosis showed up a faulty brake light switch. Replaced & sorted

Ok, I'll replace the brake light swtich, that is what I was leaning towards to sort out the brake lights, however been on eurocarparts and there's two switches for my reg plate, which is the right one or would both fit?

First one: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.4_2000/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-switch-and-car-sensors/?464440170&1&2c29f812d82db4f93bb9d2e40b6a93b6fdc669ec&000415

Second: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.4_2000/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-switch-and-car-sensors/?464440090&1&67649ea5bd6c1ccf0cdf0c650697eaefa3bebbeb&000415

Look at your chassis number then the chassis number at the bottom of each page gives you your answer