Hi everyone,

 

My 2016 Skoda Octavia (44K on the clock) occasionally starts showing the "preheating unit" ("glowplug") light flashing and the car goes into an "energy-saving" mode in low gears, so slower and heavier acceleration. I have noticed that the light tends to start flashing when I shift from 3rd to 4th gear on an upward slope or from 4th to 3rd on a downward slope. This behaviour started about a month ago. I had an interim service today, and the diagnostic test has not shown any errors.  When the light starts flashing, if I stop and restart the car, the message "Error: start-stop system" appears on the screen behind the wheel, and the light (or the error message) doesn't show again until another occasion as described. Have you had a similar experience, or perhaps you may have an idea what could be going on? 

 

Many thanks!  

If the EML (Engine Management Light) or glowplug light illuminates, it almost always results in a fault code been logged.

 

Who did the diagnostic scan, and what equipment did they use?

 

If it wasn't VCDS (or similar), then chances are it wasn't able to read all the codes.

 

The stop-start system will always disable itself when the car detects a fault in any other of its systems, so this is normal.

 

Since the car is dropping into limp-home mode, as it is a diesel then the longer you leave this the more problems you're likely to encounter, such as a blocked DPF (the DPF won't regenerate in limp-home mode).

 

Get your car to someone with VCDS or OBDeleven ASAP.

On 08/11/2019 at 19:10, silver1011 said:

If the EML (Engine Management Light) or glowplug light illuminates, it almost always results in a fault code been logged.

 

Who did the diagnostic scan, and what equipment did they use?

 

If it wasn't VCDS (or similar), then chances are it wasn't able to read all the codes.

 

The stop-start system will always disable itself when the car detects a fault in any other of its systems, so this is normal.

 

Since the car is dropping into limp-home mode, as it is a diesel then the longer you leave this the more problems you're likely to encounter, such as a blocked DPF (the DPF won't regenerate in limp-home mode).

 

Get your car to someone with VCDS or OBDeleven ASAP.

Many thanks for your advice. I don't know why they didn't spot the issue during the diagnostic (this was a VW dealer's workshop, by the way), but I am taking the car to them again this week. They said they would repeat the test free -- I'll mention VCDS and ODDII to them, anyway.

It it worth noting that VCDS and OBD11 are non-genuine / aftermarket diagnostics systems. Very good ones, and ones that are dedicated to VAG vehicles, but not the same as those used in Skoda dealers.

 

It is commonly noted that VCDS and OBD11 are actually capable of a lot more than the dealers systems, so when mentioning it to them you might get a similar response.

56 minutes ago, silver1011 said:

It it worth noting that VCDS and OBD11 are non-genuine / aftermarket diagnostics systems. Very good ones, and ones that are dedicated to VAG vehicles, but not the same as those used in Skoda dealers.

 

It is commonly noted that VCDS and OBD11 are actually capable of a lot more than the dealers systems, so when mentioning it to them you might get a similar response.

But presumably a VAG dealer's workshop would use a device that allows them to see all the fault codes on a VAG vehicle?

Yes, in theory, but I can't say for sure.

 

Take this example, a clear fault light on the dash, the customer has taken her Kodiaq into the main dealer who claim there are no fault codes logged.

 

This is highly unlikely, as soon as that EPC / EML light illuminates, in 99.9% of cases a fault code is logged...

 

 

So who is at fault here, the car, the diagnostics equipment or the technician / dealer?

 

Edited 13 November, 20196 yr by silver1011