That's encouraging, cheers. 

That's encouraging, cheers 

Just got the new regulator but need to check: can I simply remove the old one and put the new one on? The fitting instructions have got me baffled - see attached photo. 

@LEricG - Well, IMO those are more general safety precautions and directions than actual fitting instructions. I think you can ignore step 3 from "polarise DC -generator..." because you have an alternator and not a generator,

Thanks Ken 

2 hours ago, LEricG said:

The fitting instructions have got me baffled - see attached photo.

The instructions are equally useful to "Do not insert your children or pets in the washing machine or microwave while running."

Got the regulator fitted and working well.

Just got to sort out the lights as more than half not working. Quite bulbs at the rear have blown but not all. 

Got to finish checking fuses but I've got a horrible feeling the wires that run close to the battery could have been melted causing shorting. If that's the case then it's gonna be expensive. 

That should be, "quite a few bulbs.".

@LEricG - Making progress!  If you're missing most of the rear bulb functions, I'd check the cluster earths as well as the "quiet" bulbs. Most wiring shorts are a result of chafed or melted insulation rather than over-voltage.

Thanks Ken. I've no idea what cluster earths or "quiet" bulbs are, but I've just had another look and I'm a bit more hopeful that it's just the bulbs; I found a stop/tail bulb in the shed and that works. Also found that fewer had blown than I thought - forgot to have the headlights on when checking the rear fogs and D'oh! . 

My only concern is that there could a short caused by melted insulation that could blow them all again. 

51 minutes ago, LEricG said:

My only concern is that there could a short caused by melted insulation that could blow them all again. 

Those wires don't melt easy. Fuses 'melt' first. Relax.

Thanks Ricado. 

Made it!

I've learnt a lot these past weeks and it's satisfying to know I did it myself, but I couldn't have done it without you guys, so many thanks again for all your help. 

Had to get the garage to help with the front left indicator, though, because try as I might I couldn't get my hand in to pop that clip that holds the unit in. 

Yeah, and it's almost impossible for an adult male to get a hand down the gaps needed to change front light bulbs on the (larger) Octavia 1 as well.

Edited 9 May, 20197 yr by KenONeill