I have a 3 yr old Octavia diesel automatic estate, which I bought second hand a year ago. My first Skoda. The stop/start system has worked fine until this week (just after the warranty expired!) In a week it has twice stalled for no apparent reason, starting up from auto-stop. Both times on the flat, the second time leaving me stranded at traffic lights to the irritation of the cars behind. Searching online suggested blaming tight turns, or steep hills, neither of which apply. Can anyone throw any light? The car has only just returned from its MOT, and having the parking sensors recalibrated, but I can't see how that could be connected.  Any suggestions welcome! 

I'm assuming you have the message on the Maxidot (Restart Manually) or something similar?

A automatic engine should not stall (unless StopStart is activated), even with tight turn/steep hill/high load the gearbox controller should slip the clutch to prevent stalling.

 

I'd guess  you'll need to make another trip to the dealer to get it checked out.

 

You dont have any problems starting the engine from cold?

My car occasionally would not start successfully after stop/start. But it is quick to try a second start and has never failed so far (*touch good*).

 

What engine and gearbox is it? Since having DSG oil change about 800 miles ago, I've yet to experience above.

Thanks for the replies guys:

 

Gabbo - yes I get the "start engine manually" message, and that works.  I think it may be slightly slower to start from cold now, I assumed that was just the glow-plug as the weather is colder, but I assume you are suggesting check the battery?  I'll do that.

 

wyx087 - mine does start OK first time from the stall, but the inevitable delay while you realise what has happened and respond is a pain when you are in traffic, and could be quite dangerous if, say, coming out of a difficult junction.  I'm not technical, but it is a Skoda Octavia SE Tdi S-A according to the latest dealer invoice, if that helps!  It had a service a couple of months back but I'm not sure if the DSG oil was changed, I'll check that too.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was asking as if the engine starts normally from cold, then the stalling is more likely related to the gearbox control rather than engine problems.

There is a common thread for diesel starting delay from cold (extended cranking before the engine fires the first time) but this is only first start & I didnt hear of it affecting starts when the engine was hot.

 

I think it would help to be able to read DTCs to see if there are any errors set in the EUC or TCM that could be causing it.

 

I agree restarting in a auto is not so easy when it stalls.

 

@purpleH - Well, this makes me think of one of my Dad's autos, which had the idle speed set slightly too low (source being our neighbour, also the dealership fleet sales manager).

 

Guys, when I say "slightly too low", I mean about 50revs per minute too low.

3 hours ago, purpleH said:

I get the "start engine manually" message, and that works.

Sounds like the stop/start is missing a condition to do an automatic restart such as seat belt, doors closed, etc.

 

Do you have any other problems, even intermittent ones, that happen?

 

Maybe a VCDS Auto-Scan would be an idea as that may show an intermittent problem?

The stop/start system is giving a lot of drivers problems and most dangerous,  annoying and embarrassing is its potential for a rear end shunt.  This as many know is liable to happen just as moving off from the traffic lights  or when entering roundabout.  Of course you can get it disabled  but otherwise it must be switched off if you remember. Some may think its great but  generally I find it is a danger.

3 hours ago, melbury said:

The stop/start system is giving a lot of drivers problems and most dangerous,  annoying and embarrassing is its potential for a rear end shunt.  This as many know is liable to happen just as moving off from the traffic lights  or when entering roundabout.  Of course you can get it disabled  but otherwise it must be switched off if you remember. Some may think its great but  generally I find it is a danger.

 

Sorry, but that's complete tosh. 

 

I have start/stop active all of the time on my car and it doesn't do any such thing, you just need to apply a light enough pressure on the brake pedal to hold the vehicle and it doesn't do it. 

 

To say it's dangerous is nonsense because if it was then they wouldn't be allowed to install/use it on the public highway. It's safe and if you are having issues with it then it must be down to the way you are driving it or there's a significant fault in the car start/stop system which as the driver and vehicle owner is responsible for as you are liable for the repair and maintenance of the vehicle unless you have a maintenance contract on your vehicle, in which case you should be reporting the issue to relevant person(s) to get the necessary corrective maintenance carried out.

 

Basically if you continue to use the vehicle knowing that it has an issue which could be a risk to other people/road users then you could find yourself liable for potential prosecution and damages. 

Well ! Thank you  for that . It has been reported,but you must bear in mind all the other posts about the stop/start system. It has worked quite  well for a while until recently as has been others experience so that's the reason for concern. As you say, yours is going well and that's good to know. Safety is paramount and I hope you have a good experience with your next due in February.

15 hours ago, TheWanderer said:

 

Sorry, but that's complete tosh. 

 

I have start/stop active all of the time on my car and it doesn't do any such thing, you just need to apply a light enough pressure on the brake pedal to hold the vehicle and it doesn't do it. 

 

To say it's dangerous is nonsense because if it was then they wouldn't be allowed to install/use it on the public highway. It's safe and if you are having issues with it then it must be down to the way you are driving it or there's a significant fault in the car start/stop system 

 

@TheWanderer - I think your reply to Melbury is rather harsh.  Your system is obviously working fine, which is great for you - but mine (and others) is not, so it is not "complete tosh" to say so.  It is stalling on occasions when clearly it shouldn't and, as Melbury rightly says, the potential for a rear-end shunt whilst trying to re-start can be "dangerous, annoying and embarrassing".  I will get the dealer to check out the system, but meanwhile I will have to try to remember to turn it off every time I start the car, to avoid such instances.

Edited 27 December, 20187 yr by purpleH

Lots of it is tosh IMO.

At the first stop you do just remember to switch off the Stop / Start if it is an issue. If you want it off and forget as you fasten your seat belt.

After all you remembered to start the car, check mirrors indicate and drive off then come to a halt, 

pressing the brake pedal etc.

 

Are many being rear ended or T-boned, because if so the DfT / DVSA and Insurers should get involved. 

Edited 27 December, 20187 yr by Skoffski

Then turn it off, leave a sticky note on the dash to remind you of it!

 

But just be aware that if you leave it active and then you are involved in a shunt or collision that it could be proven that the system was at fault and you're aware of that fact that you could find yourself culpable for everything, that may seem harsh, but unfortunately we now live in a money grabbing, ambulance chasing society where there's a blame, there's a claim.

 

(I blame that old bat Esther Rantzen for bringing this sort of mentality to the UK).

 

NEVER LEAVE YOURSELF OPEN TO LAWYERS UNLESS YOU HAVE VERY DEEP POCKETS!

 

 

Edited 27 December, 20187 yr by TheWanderer

Yes we know and do turn it off  but hey this is all beginning to turn a bit Troll like ,so let's just take it as read and move on !

Thanks Melbury - couldn't agree more!

Helen

11 minutes ago, melbury said:

Yes we know and do turn it off  but hey this is all beginning to turn a bit Troll like ,so let's just take it as read and move on !

 

It's not trolling. It's called harsh but true.

Hi!

Did you managed to solve this problem?

I have exactly the same issue with my three year old Superb.

Hi egabor.  It hasn't happened again (but I turn the system off as soon as I remember!)  I'll get it checked when it is next serviced.

Helen.

Without wanting to skote the fire further, one thing I have noticed is the system applied to dsg models is the same as manual.  It's just that the activation is on the brake pedal rather than the clutch.  The way it reacts when lifting off the brake can be frustrating and has inded caused me to stall or oull away in an uncomfortable manner.  I have since 'permanently' dissabled it.

Having the same intermittent issue on my Superb DSG. Wouldn't be so bad if you could just re-turn the key but you have to move the leaver forward to Park before restarting the engine. You then get the delay of the engine coming back to life and then finally putting the vehicle back into drive. Whole process takes 2-4 seconds. I'm going to book it in for a start stop delete.

On 02/12/2018 at 12:21, purpleH said:

I have a 3 yr old Octavia diesel automatic estate, which I bought second hand a year ago. My first Skoda. The stop/start system has worked fine until this week (just after the warranty expired!) In a week it has twice stalled for no apparent reason, starting up from auto-stop. Both times on the flat, the second time leaving me stranded at traffic lights to the irritation of the cars behind. Searching online suggested blaming tight turns, or steep hills, neither of which apply. Can anyone throw any light? The car has only just returned from its MOT, and having the parking sensors recalibrated, but I can't see how that could be connected.  Any suggestions welcome! 

I have same problem now with my 17 plate auto dsg octavia. 

Just wondering what the outcome wad for you. 

Mine sometimes stalls after starting from stop/start and also sometimes when pulling away in reverse gear! At times it just jerks but does not stall.

Any advise would be appreciated. 

Hi Sammy. No resolution I'm afraid, i just try to remember to switch the dratted thing off as soon as I start the car! So far it hasn't done it

again. 

Helen. 

I have the same problem on my 2016 Yeti (manual) and since I've owned it (4 years). I now always switch the stop start off 'automatically' as soon as the engine is running.  It only becomes a problem when someone else drives the car (not very often) and I've forgotten to remind them to ALWAYS switch the s/s off.  As others have said above, it can be dangerous as it seems to cut out when just moving off, such as leaving me stalled and needing a manual start, while halfway across a carriage way, or when turning (usually right) at a junction.  Very occasionally, it would start itself again when I dip the clutch.  Hey ho!

Edited 7 March, 20215 yr by Ooopnorth

With my start stop, if I am at the lights for a long time I put my DSG into neutral. Then when the lights are about to change I tap the accelerator which starts the engine, apply the foot brake and put it into gear. That ensures a nice smooth start up rather than lifting of the foot brake, engine starting and also trying to go into gear aswell.  That way gives the engine chance to start without the clutch engaging too soon.

The issue with the above cars might need a dsg adaption doing as the biting point might be too severe causing the engine to stall.

I have found the auto stop/start is quite aggressive. On my 2019 Scout, it cuts the engine when you are still moving and coming to a halt. Very disconcerting. I am sure that Skoda tweaked the auto stop/start when Ad-Blu was added, because my previous test drives of DSG gearboxes (older cars 2017 and 2018 Octavias), the car came to a halt and then cut the engine. 

 

There are certain 'fixes' that stop the auto/stop/start that can be performed in VCDS but not all cars will respond to battery voltage tweak.

 

You learn to adjust your driving style. With slow moving traffic, I personally switch off auto stop/start.

 

As to the previous postings, agreed DSG cars should not stall; it does sound like clutch drag that stalls the engine. I would recommend getting a DSG oil change done first (because the oil pressure in the gearbox changes the pressure of the clutch plates), then checking it out again. Continued stalling and other odderities possibly point to a control board either needing a firmware update (because Skoda do seem to like put old firmware on their cars) or worse case...a new control board (really expensive).