I have bought a used skoda octavia diesel 2004 with 64000k milage, it was absolutely fine for two weeks then had problem with gear box lock. The breaks did not seem to unlock gear box so I could move it at all unless car was turned off. This problem fixed itself the next day. 

 

Today a few days after the over heat alarm is off although the temp gauge is steady at 90 (when car is cold it starts at 50 and sticks to 90 through out the trip). The gear problem happened again at the same time as the overheat sign. The car runs fine but not sure where the fault is. 

 

Anyone gone through this before? 

If you mean by overheat sign the diesel glow plug symbol shown in your photo, this is also used to indicate a fault, not just glow plugs on.

Use an ODB2 reader in the diagnostics port to read the fault list and report the codes here and I am sure we can help.

 

You don't need to buy an expensive scanner at £50+,  just a reader such as the one shown below for use with an Android phone etc using bluetooth.

Versions are available at similar price with built in wifi source for use with Apple products.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-ELM327-Bluetooth-OBD2-CAN-V1-4-Scanner-Scan-Tool-Android-OBD-Code-Reader-Tool/352684477578?hash=item521da20c8a:g:4X4AAOSwt~5bj4n5

Or this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-OBD2-II-ELM327-V2-1-Bluetooth-Car-Scanner-Code-Reader-Scan-Tool-Android-YT/143155187832?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160323102634%26meid%3Dfccafddded7947168bd76007d538ad16%26pid%3D100623%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D352684477578%26itm%3D143155187832&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

 

Edited 8 June, 20197 yr by pikpilot
Added link etc

Thank you pikpilot, I did a quick Google and didn't realize it also can be glow plug or other different faults. I have tested the water pump which was working fine (I unplugged the return hose from the reservoir and the flow was good). 

 

Now I have an obd reader already which I did use when I was car hunting and also used now but it never picked up any codes. 

The car in it self is performing fine, there are no misfires or new sounds. The only thing different is the gearbox shift lock not releasing when I press on the breaks. I have tried disco necting and reconnecting the battery..didnt work. 

 

Hoping it's not serious, do I need to buy a better obd? 

Try the brake light switch, have you got Cruise control?, that will play up too if the brake light switch is a bit dicky.

 

 

 

Trev

Edited 8 June, 20197 yr by Aston_Bodger
spelling, and no i'm not Harry Potter LOL

Funny you should mention the brake light as my son had an Audi A3 (similar to Mk 1 Octavia) which brought up the glow plug light when a brake light bulb failed!

 

The gearbox interlock may be a cable or a solenoid. Look in the driver's handbook and it will show how you can release the lock if it jams.

The paragraph below is for my car. Yours is an earlier car and could be different. If you don't have a manual then you can download one from the "sticky" higher up the forum page.

 

Selector lever-emergency unlocking
Fig. 109 Selector lever-emergency unlocking
In case of interruption of the power supply (e.g. flat vehicle battery, defective
fuse) or defect of the selector lever lock, the selector lever can no longer be shifted
from the position P in the normal way and the vehicle can no longer be moved.
The selector lever must be unlocked in case of emergency.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Open the storage compartment in front centre console or the front ashtray.
– Carefully pull up the front left and right cover.

– Pull up rear cover.
– Use a finger to press the yellow plastic part in direction of arrow ⇒ fig. 109.
– Simultaneously press the shiftlock button in the handle of the selector lever
and shift the lever into the position N (if the selector lever is shifted again into
the position P, it is once again blocked).

@Aston_Bodger

 

This Fixed the Problem!! Thank you!! SAVED ME 60 Pounds DIAGNOSTIC VISIT TO SKODA!! THANK YOU!

 

 

All I did was unplug and plug the brake light switch and the dash board was clear again! Also the gear box  shift lock works fine again!

 

Many thanks!

Edited 8 June, 20197 yr by b44b6

Probably needs confirmation from the brake light switch that you are pressing on the brake pedal before it will release the gear shift lock. 

Modern car electronics are wheels within wheels.....

12 hours ago, b44b6 said:

@Aston_Bodger

 

This Fixed the Problem!! Thank you!! SAVED ME 60 Pounds DIAGNOSTIC VISIT TO SKODA!! THANK YOU!

 

 

All I did was unplug and plug the brake light switch and the dash board was clear again! Also the gear box  shift lock works fine again!

 

Many thanks!

Glad to be of service.

 

Anything else just ask.

 

Trev