Hi all - long time since I posted here. My 2006 TFSI Octavia vRS has just succumbed to the dreaded ESP light constant on. I don't have Vag-com or whatever they call it these days but on a service two weeks ago my local independent said ABS circuit was what was coming up on their diagnostics. They had no idea how to fix it. Alas they didn't tell me what the fault code was.

 

Rang a couple of main stealers. One wouldn't give me any estimates other than 85 EUR to put it on the diagnostics - seems excessive. Tried another and they said they've seen this issue on Golfs, but not any Octavias. Again they said 85 EUR for the diag. Told me the ABS pump repair kits exist for some revisions of the unit but not others, but that the kit was in the region of 650 EUR and if the whole unit needed doing then it was ~1500 EUR.

 

This seems absolutely nuts to me - there's no reason why this unit should fail but reading the forums here it's more common than the dealers are letting on. That unit should last the lifetime of the car.

 

I'm based in Dublin - has anyone in Ireland had the repair done and if so how much are we talking, even ballpark? Anyone have any luck with getting goodwill from Skoda on the repair?

 

Guess my first port of call is the diagnostics to see what the issue really is...

Read this thread if you haven't done so already.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/174385-esp-abs-g201-failure-teves-mk60-list/

Edited 8 November, 201312 yr by DGW

A link to my own post? Sure you got the right link?

There has been a long running battle with Skoda regarding a faulty valve in the ESP module of the cars. There's an after market replacement kit to fix it, but the dealers were looking for a grand to replace the faulty part while VW and Audi were replacing it for free as a known warranty issue. There's a big thread on this somewhere, but I haven't time to go searching :(...

There's an official VAG repair kit IIRC, I think it is about £180.

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Threads here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/137289-abs-control-unit-failure/?hl=esp+problem#entry1737923

and here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/153853-honest-johns-take-on-esp-problems/?hl=esp+problem

We used to get an ESP warning occasionally when starting the car but the dealer could find nothing wrong. The warning only stayed on for a few minutes but did it quite often. I changed the battery a while back with a Bosch S5 096 780A 77a/h and the error has never reappeared. Maybe just a coincidence but I have heard of the cars flinging up weird spurious errors if the batteries are not working at their best. It seems that the standard batteries are the same ones used in the petrol VRS (mine is a CR) so that is why I put in the higher capacity one. No probs starting the car even in very cold weather.

Dave

A few years ago now, my old mk1 had the gauge problem.  I sent it way for repair, and in the packaging was a flyer for other services they offered.  One of which was ABS pump overhaul.  No idea if this applies to mk2's, or if this is really your problem - the cars are allegedly sensitive to battery condition so Dave's experience may be valid in your case too.

Can't find the address of the firm I used and only recently threw away the box with the address on. 

http://www.clusterrepairsuk.co.uk/ was another one I looked at, maybe they can help as they mention ABS unit repairs on their site, but not specifically for octavias. 

If it is still a common fault, then there may be a slew of companies offering the service.

I didn't even try Skoda for goodwill. My car hasn't seen a franchised dealer since it was 3. Also I was too close to MOT time to get into an argument that might take months.

 

I picked up the part from Skoda dealer via ebay for £180. Was fitted for around £100 (in with other work) at an independent VAG specialist. You get new brake fluid as part of the fitment so I took that as a £40 saving from a service. That was about a year ago, been fine since.

 

You can get them fixed but your car would be off the road until it was done.

Edited 8 November, 201312 yr by Aspman

A link to my own post? Sure you got the right link?

Sorry! :( Link now corrected.

Thanks for the links and advice folks.

 

So - got my hands on a diagnostic scanner and confirmed its the dreaded "01435 Brake Pressure Sensor 1 (G201)" and the ABS unit is 1K0907379AA which is on the list of affected parts. I'm investigating independent VAG specialists in Ireland - though they're as rare as hen's teeth here. Have not gone back to the main dealers yet. Doubt I'll get much joy there.

jimbo

 

just got dreaded esp light on dash scan would not clear the fault Octavia VRS TDI 2007 !31,000 on clock.

Emailed Skoda Uk they instructed me to contact my nearest Skoda branch Which was Simpsons in Preston they did their own scan and confirmed the fault with the teves abs unit and repaired the fault

under goodwill no cost for parts or labour to me I will buy Skoda again excelent service 

Did you have full dealer service history or are Skoda now extending this to all owners?

So an update from me - eventually got this fixed by an independent. So for anyone in Ireland, that lads down in Daltons in Portlaoise were able to apply the repair kit within a few hours. EUR 450 all told and while that's still a whole chunk of change, it was still cheaper than the "anywhere from 800 - 1500 EUR" quotes I was getting from certain Skoda main dealers.

 

I didn't approach Skoda Ireland (VW Ireland in reality) as my RS is 7 years old and while it has a FSH, I've been using independents for the past couple of years, so I doubt I'd get anywhere looking for a goodwill payment. Anyway, job done and it's great to have the ESP/traction working again now that the weather is getting more wintery and my NCT is due.

It might be a little bit late but ... I bought my 55 reg VRS last year (just to show the age), picked up on Saturday morning from private seller in Cornwall, drove it to Herefordshire no issues whatsoever . Next Tuesday morning driving to work , floored it  coming of junction and bang ESP light on. Phoned up my local mechanic , plugged in to comp and got error. Not a happy bunny but thought to try Worcester Skoda dealer for damage to my wallet . £1500 shock!!!!! But without me even asking they put paperwork through to Skoda UK and nice surprise, They've agreed to fix it free!!! based on having done  67K and full VAG group service history.