This morning I had a flat battery and had to jump start my 57 Octavia estate.

I now have the following warning lights on (I have driven it 10 miles and they are all still on).

Engine warning

Power steering

ABS warning

Speedometer needle doesn't move

Handbrake warning (flashing red exlamation mark)

 

The ABS doesn't work, and my power steering sort of works, but won't straighten up coming out of a bend, and feels a little heavy.

 

Any ideas/ suggestions?

 

Thanks

 

wait so you have an engine warning, ABS warning and no speedo but you've driven it 10 miles

Yep - Ironically, to a speed awareness course.

 

If it didn't feel safe enough I wouldn't drive it.

 

But, does anyone have any suggestions for an easy fix. It seems a huge coincidence that this all happened after a flat battery?

Edited 13 February, 20188 yr by dragnfly

My best guess, and it would be a guess, is that the jump start has caused a number of relays and / or fuses to blow causing your issues.

 

were there any sparks caused when connecting the jump cables??? 

 

Maybe turn everything off and check your fuses that correspond to your issues, or go and find a local auto electrician.

 

How old is the car and do you have a manual for the car???

Hmm, I hadn't even considered checking fuses - I will have a look at them!

It's a '57 plate. I've got the manual somewhere for it - but I'll probably just end up pulling all the fuses out one by one so I definitely don't miss anything!

 

Cheers

 

 

I had this happen once on a Mondeo, and it was after having a flat battery. It turned out to be the alternator on the way out, because the battery was discharging. The display/warning lights went absolutely mental, with speedo and tacho flying all over the place. It also started to lose power.

Yeah, I would also check the alternator. It might not charge the battery (that's why it's flat) and if it's not working properly then all these electric units are affected.

Do you have a red battery warning (like the upper left one)?

 

If you charge your battery fully and then go and get it tested, they can also test the alternator i believe, but the battery has to be well charged.

 

21 hours ago, dragnfly said:

Hmm, I hadn't even considered checking fuses - I will have a look at them!

It's a '57 plate. I've got the manual somewhere for it - but I'll probably just end up pulling all the fuses out one by one so I definitely don't miss anything!

 

Don't just pull fuses out willy nilly as this can cause other issues. I would only check the corresponding fuses after ensuring everything is turned off.

However, with what the guys advise above, maybe check your alternator first.

I pulled some fuses on my Audi ages ago to try and cure airbag light fault and ended up with a blown window module.

4 hours ago, andyoctavia said:

I had this happen once on a Mondeo, and it was after having a flat battery. It turned out to be the alternator on the way out, because the battery was discharging. The display/warning lights went absolutely mental, with speedo and tacho flying all over the place. It also started to lose power.

Ahhhh - i have been loosing power sometimes too - not all the time - just occasionally - i thought it was from dodgy diesel!

1 hour ago, Jevpls said:

Yeah, I would also check the alternator. It might not charge the battery (that's why it's flat) and if it's not working properly then all these electric units are affected.

Do you have a red battery warning (like the upper left one)?

 

I did initially have that one on, but it went off once the car started, cheers. It's just 'engine warning' power steering, ABS, traction control (the car with slippy lines), and a big red flashing exclamation mark which I have no idea what it is.

Get it scanned using VCDS or similar... Should give you some clues

Just to bring this to a close - thanks for all your comments. It was just a simple fuse that had blown and had that entire range of effects! I was dreading a huge bill!!

Super happy! All fixed. Thanks again.

Hi.

Witch fuse was it?

I have  the  exact same problem on my 2006 1.9 tdc

 

it happend after disconnecting the battery 

 

19 hours ago, Roy222 said:

Hi.

Witch fuse was it?

I have  the  exact same problem on my 2006 1.9 tdc

 

it happend after disconnecting the battery 

 

 

I had to laugh there Roy, because I have always maintained that car electrics involve a lot of witchcraft which many people do not understand.

Got the same problem. Do u remember which fuse u replaced?