Hi

2 year old (Nov 15) Octavia MK3 6 speed box so reverse (push down, left and up) is next to 1st.

 

It is really easy to reverse (eg when parking), then select 1st and find you are still in reverse - makes for exciting parking!. 

I understand that this has to be 'pilot error' but it surely should not be that easy.

It has also happened (only twice) that I thought I had selected 1st and was actually in reverse

It is also possible to get the car into 1st gear  while the reversing sensors are still operating !

So maybe something is not adjusted quite right?

 

It is quite difficult to reproduce this  to demonstrate to a garage

 

Anyone else have this problem?

Better still anyone have any suggestions to make it go away?

The sensors remain active until you reach 15kph (or something). 

 

As for the other issue. Yeah once or twice I’ve gone into reverse when wanting 1st but I put it down to my error. 

Sensors: Thx. Didn't know that. I suppose this is for the 'put it into 1st and let the car roll back' situation? I'll experiment

 

But my problem is the other way round that is:  Trying to go Reverse to 1st and finding I am still in reverse

 

Its quite a big lateral push across to get into reverse but nothing like the same amount of lateral travel to get back to 1st - or so it seems.

 

This was a known issue on some of the earlier O3 builds & even after the reverse lock had "popped" up the reverse gear was still physically engaged.

The garage should be able to adjust the selector cables & gator to eliminate this problem.

 

As above, the reversing sensors stay active until the vehicle is moving a certain speed forward to protect against Rolling backwards while changing gear/engaging the clutch etc.

 

 

Damn.....

 

We had this in our MkII 4x4 and had it in twice to try to fix it! (Springs replaced - didn't resolve).

 

I'll cry if it happens on the MkIII...

Encouraging to know it is not just me but . . . . .   The local Skoda dealer maintains there is nothing wrong and refuses to do anything

 

Gabbo: When you say it was a "known issue", how do I convey this message to my garage and actually get them to do something about it?

 

I only know if from several posts in the early days of the O3, I didnt have the problem myself.

It should be pretty simple for your dealer to re-adjust the shifter cables/linkage to prevent this happening or at least test them for signs of wear or misadjustment.

 

I would persist with your dealer & insist they look at it again or call Skoda UK to ask them about it.

You can always visit a different Skoda dealer. As the car is still in warrenty so they should have no problems adjusting it & billing Skoda back.

 

In this first post below, one of the technicals at Pentagon Seat/Skoda comments on their repair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 30 April, 20188 yr by Gabbo

Gabbo: That's great. Thanks

I shall go into battle forthwith and report back - eventually!

 

KR

 

On ‎27‎/‎04‎/‎2018 at 09:54, RIncewindwiz said:

But my problem is the other way round that is:  Trying to go Reverse to 1st and finding I am still in reverse

 

I have done this too but thought it was something I did so didn't do anything about it. Really throws you thinking how on earth did I manage that, sink in to the seat and drive off hoping no one else saw!

 

Will have to get this to the garage to check out now but like you mentioned, how do you try recreate it for the technician at the dealers?

For me you shouldnt need to recreate it.

From the description a good garage should know to check/readjust the shifter cables.

 

I'd assume all VAG cars use the same 6-speed manual gearbox & almost identical installation so I'm sure its something common they have come across several times before with the Golf, Passat, Leon, Octavia etc.

 

3 hours ago, Gabbo said:

 I'm sure its something common they have come across several times before with the Golf, Passat, Leon, Octavia etc.

 

But that would mean they are being deliberately obstructive and I don't think they are that bad.

 

I prefer to think  the man i/c the workshop has never heard of or seen it (and probably thinks all drivers are incompetent to a point where they cannot even spell 'gearbox'). Hence the problem

 

 

 

1 hour ago, RIncewindwiz said:

But that would mean they are being deliberately obstructive and I don't think they are that bad.

 

Skoda dealers do not acknowledge common problems in any Skoda model and find it very difficult to find problems with specific cars. Car should still be under warranty, they may be able to detect a problem once car is out of warranty. 

4 hours ago, Octy0GG said:

Skoda dealers do not acknowledge common problems in any Skoda model and find it very difficult to find problems with specific cars. Car should still be under warranty, they may be able to detect a problem once car is out of warranty. 

 

Deeply cynical - not that that makes it any less likely to be true :-) !!

So. thanks to all who contributed to resolving this problem

 

Skoda Customer Services were most helpful in persuading Citygate (Hertfordshire) to address the problem a second time.

 

The detailed description provided in the posts above allowed me to define the problem precisely to SCS and demonstrate the problem to the garage. As a result,  new parts were fitted under warranty.

 

Since the fix the problem has occurred only once and this may have been pilot error - its hard to keep an eye on exactly what you are doing when reversing into a tight parking space in a busy street!!!

 

Moral: Don't ever believe a franchised dealer is on your side, he is only ever on his own side!!!

 

 

An update.

Eventually with the help of Skoda Customer Services the car was returned to Citygate Skoda for further examination

Thanks to the comprehensive posts referenced above I was able to demonstrate the problem and received a welcoming 'Ah, its not supposed to do that!'

New linkage ordered, fitted and problem resolved.

Thanks to all that contributed.