Hi all, 

 

I'm new to the forum and will make you gasp by saying that I've had my 2001Octavia 1.9TDI 90BHP Ambiente Estate for 2 years and watched it go downhill in terms of problems, problems, problems. Only due to lack of funds and general confusion, but no longer! Money in the bank means time to act. It may be a scrapheap to most of you but I'm determined to bring it back from the brink as it has become my trusty steed, and as with many Ockys, it is essentially a good motor. 

 

I've looked into some of the issues with the car before and have some thoughts, but wanted to compile a definitive list and get the expert opinions from you all. So, here we go (good luck):

 

1. Key fob central locking not working/driver's door lock broken/boot lock frozen/in-car central lock switch only locks passenger, rear doors and boot (sometimes). You've guessed it, the poor beast has been going around with driver's door unlocked for the past year. And no you can't have my address. 

2. Driver's window broken, currently wedged in place. Switch works but grinds away inside the door, window unsupported by mechanism. 

3. Driver's door doesn't operate interior light or door foot light (not sure of my terminology there). Also driver's wing mirror won't move (electrical).

4. Windscreen wipers only work intermittently, once on won't switch off, can hear the relay clicking them back on every time...

5. Rear windscreen wiper not working at all, nor the screen wash. 

6. Glow light stays on for about 15 seconds, normally I just start the engine with no probs (apart from an interesting whirring sound for the first second after ignition) but in the cold it has started to struggle a bit. 

7. Engine has slight oil leak somewhere...

8. Coolant system has significant leak somewhere...

9. Exhaust fumes get pumped into the cabin by the fan when the car is stationary (of course) and I know there is a hole in the exhaust (came up on last MOT). 

10. Pressure regulating valve breather hose needs replacing, taped up temporarily. 

11. Tailgate has a nasty dent and the paintwork generally is old and shabby. 

 

SO: My thoughts are to -

 

Get a new car. No, sorry, not going to happen. I know it's not economically sensible, etc. etc. so save your breath, I'm a lost cause. 

 

1-4. Dry out/replace the driver's door convenience module, check the loom for breaks, fit a new window regulator (obvs) and replace the front wiper relay/motor/linkage. Probably clean up the linkage to start, but I figure they're not expensive from a breaker so it might be quicker just to replace. 

5. Not sure, but check the loom and go from there?

6. ?

7. Find the leak and then pray it's not too expensive. 

8. Ditto.

9. Replace holey exhaust and see, but other than that no clue. 

10. Easy, get a new one with some strong jubilee clips. 

11. Start saving for a trip to the body shop...

 

This is my first Skoda and the first time I've tried to fix the car myself, so call me NEWBIE, no problem - I am familiarising myself with the car but don't have the lingo down just yet. I am a quick learner and pretty competent at practical things, so would rather do the repairs myself where possible - apart from anything else I want to see how it all works, tinker, fix it up and feel the pride of a fully-functional car again! 

 

Once the problems are done I'd love to get into redoing some of the interior (replace sagging seats etc.) and putting some sensible alloys on, etc. Just the simple mods. 

 

Any helpful hints and suggestions would be gratefully received. Have at it lads! 

Edited 15 February, 201412 yr by UBC

You'll need time and patience for some of those faults. The search function is your friend on the locking faults loads of info on here. The wipers wil be a seized linkage where the arms attach to the pivots common vw fault again search function will throw up so info. As for the leaks and body work depends on your skill level. Good luck always good to see someone having ago their selves.

Thanks Chris, 

 

I've had a good root around the site and have found lots of similar stuff, especially for the door, but am a bit nervous about taking the door to bits before diagnosing my particular problem first, as this is the only car I have so I can't have it sat waiting for a part to be delivered really (esp. as I'll be getting most parts from the breakers). It seems that particularly the door/electrical issues could be down to several different things - door lock solenoid, ccm, etc. and I'm no expert and I would much prefer not to have to take the door to bits multiple times… But perhaps that's just the way the cookie crumbles? 

 

Maybe I'll tackle the wipers first and then see about the rest. Do you have any thoughts about the rear wiper? 

 

Cheers!

There's a rebuild kit for the rear wiper motor, it has a problem with the washer leaking into the motor side of the unit. Best get a scrap motor and a drivers side door latch and fit that lot first. If your going down the breakers yard remove the part yourself that way you get s bit of practice before you strip your own car.

That's good advice about the breakers Chris, thanks - you think try the door latch first?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Should help with faults 1+3 but also worth getting the door loom as they are probe to broken pins at the plugs due to water ingress.

I can send a good working rear wiper motor if needed.  I might be able to send the whole regulator/motor setup for the drivers door but someone else already wanted the control unit from the end of the motor but if its a pain to remove I'll be sending him the whole thing.

 

Ref glow plug light - I would get a scan with VCDS.  It might just need a set of plugs?

 

For the wipers, the "409?" relay isn't too expensive.

A good machine polish might sort out the paintwork a bit - obviously not the dent, but it depends what "shabby" means (your definition might be different to mine )

Hi Devon, 

 

That'd be great - I'll PM you about details if that's okay. 

So I struck out at the scrap pies yesterday - plenty of old Ocky's all with the driver's door and wiper mechs stripped out. I'm guessing this is THE common problem…  :wonder: I called TPS to find out how much new OEM parts would be, and my jaw hit the floor - £336 for the door wiper motor/cm, £120 for the front wiper motor/linkage, £90 for the rear wiper. SLIGHTLY out of my budget, especially as I'm going to have to do the cam belt too. 

 

So if anyone has any working parts, or knows of a reliable way of getting them, I'd very much appreciate it  :love: