Bit miffed to find that my Octavia 2.0 TDi would not start yesterday as the battery was flat. Central locking still functioning but just a click of relays when turning the key. It is only 4 months old. :(

Admittedly it has stood unused a lot for the last month for various reasons. Last long run was 200 miles just under a month ago. Since then it has had three 10 mile runs, the last being just a week ago.

I know from experience with my CR-V that a combination of cold weather, lack of use and the constant, albeit small, drain of current from the alarm can give problems. I was amazed, however, on opening the large battery cover to see a small seemingly conventional Pb battery. I would have expected something beefier on a big diesel. I know size isn't everything - must look up the AH and cold cranking current figures.

After alarm problems with my old 306 diesel (now disconnected!) I fitted that with a heavy duty calcium battery. That will now quite happily stand for two weeks in the freezing cold and still have loads of life. My wife's Bravo still has the original battery after 5 years and stood for 6 weeks in the summer yet still started OK.

Oh well, I wil just have to start treating it like the bike and hook it up to the Optimate once a week I suppose. Oh and the reversing sensor system has packed up (yes tried cleaning the sensors) - the car display does not appear except for a second when you take it out of reverse :thumbdwn:

Have you seen the thread on here about the recall for stream radios draining the battery?

If you have a stream radio it maybe related. I would expect the battery to hold charge for longer than a month especialy if the cars been used for three short trips.

Could well be related to the radio or even the ebox. Best get your dealer to have a look for you.

Thanks both for the tip. Will get in touch with my dealer on Monday.

OK - so had it on the Optimate all day Saturday - started OK.

Thought I would check on the reversing sensor display again today before phoning my dealer - battery flat again !

Dealer quite correctly advised me to get on to AA Skoda Assist who will bring it in.

Being an RAC member for the last 30 years it will be interesting to see how good the service is.

Definitely suggests a current drain somewhere after your tips my money is on the Stream radio - will keep you posted.

My 4x4 went into the dealers today for its gearbox looking at and I signed a job card for the radio recall work to be done. The service girl told me its a software remap on the radio not a replacement (mind you its also in for the radio looking at as its prone to loud static pops so who knows whats going to happen).

Having opted for the Audience radio on our forthcoming Octy 2, do the Stream problems equally affect the Audience? The head units look the same, so are the draining/popping problems also similar? I so do hope not....

Hi John the stream radio system battery drain problem is due to a software fault inside the radio control unit drawing too much current and causing battery defects. Software updates over come this problem using 5051 etc at our dealerships. Thank fully the audience radios dont suffer from this fault.

OK - progress report - NOT IMPRESSED.

AA confirmed 0.2A drain when all systems should have been off. Decided not to let them take it in as it was essential for me to use the car for the next couple of days. Contacted dealer - reluctant to book in before next Wednesday. No courtesy car unless booked in two weeks in advance. Remember this is not a niggling fault or routine service but IMHO a major warranty fault. Not a big issue ? Imagine the following scenario - I park my less than 5 month old car in the back of beyond somewhere and go hiking for a couple of days. Come back to find it won't start - no mobile signal - no one else around to get a jump start.

This is the first car I have owned for 10 years that has actually let me down so badly that I have needed to call out assistance.

Get to the dealers this morning with the assistance of a jump start from my faithful 12 year old pug 306XLD. Dealer claims to be totally unaware of any problems with the Stream radio. Have left the car with them. BTW not even an offer of a lift to the nearest bus stop/station so that I can get home.

Contact Skoda - Stream radio fault is not a RECALL. OK it is not safety related but as I explained to them I consider it is an issue big enough to require bringing to the attention of customers likely to be affected. Confirmed as being an internal bulletin as mentioned above VGS/91A1.

For the benefit of other New Octavia owners here are the chassis numbers affected (last 7 digits only):

2089609 - 2169207

8037220 - 8064255

Stupidly I forgot to ask if this could also affect the reversing sensor car display, so on mine it may be more than a software upgrade perhaps.

Anyway, pay Skoda prices and expect Skoda levels of customer care I suppose :thumbdwn:

Missing my Honda

72 Degrees, does this fault definitely effect all the cars with the chassis numbers you have listed ? Must admit my OctyII falls in that list, but I leave mine standing 4weeks out of every six (due to work) and I've had no issues starting as of yet.

Anyway, pay Skoda prices and expect Skoda levels of customer care I suppose :thumbdwn:

Didn't take it to Bamford's in gloucester did you? We've just switched to Fish Brothers in Swindon as Bamford's service department seem to view customers as a problem.

Fish's have been brilliant, best service we've had in years.

Sorry did'nt ask Skoda if all Octy 2s in these chassis number ranges are definitely affected. Possibly only occurs if radio left in a particular mode ? Keep your fingers crossed

Won't name the dealer - yet. I will see how quickly they sort it and how.

"Pay Skoda prices"

You must be joking, they are not cheap anymore.

Update:

Battery flattening problem eventually traced to a short in the wiring loom at the back of the car somewhere (also leading to problem with reversing display). Apparently a multi-pin connector was not properly sealed and water had got in.

BTW radio software also upgraded.

Together with the other threads on here about water in the works it does not inspire confidence, the phrase usually reserved for Italian cars and bikes 'dodgy electrics' comes to mind :thumbdwn:

What did the radio upgrade fix? Some of my radio function isn't too great.

What did the radio upgrade fix? Some of my radio function isn't too great.

As far as I know it only fixes the potential battery flattening problem. It is a software upgrade only.

As it turns out this was not the cause of my problem, but I am glad it got done anyway

I spoke to soon !!! (regards my reply earlier in this thread) after standing for 5 weeks, the battery is flat as a pancake today. Got it jump started by a friend and drove it straight to the dealer I bought it from (Sherlodge). Must admit the chap behind the counter was really good, he knew exactly the problem I was having and confirmed that the car fell in the chassis numbers as per this thread, also booked it in for the rear door seals (wind noise) at the same time. Goes in Monday 27th, fingers crossed it'll be sorted )