'14 Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI. Bought May 2019, 72,000 miles. Last serviced September '19.

 

Hi guys,

 

In January I started the car after a 3 mile journey and the dash lit up like a firework display; every possible warning light on, doors locking/unlocking, dot display showing fault after fault (abs workshop, stop start fail, tyre pressure), speedo and rev dial dead. The car continued to drive fine but was effectively in analogue mode, then all of a sudden the digital side of the car kicked in, then after a bit everything off again but car still running fine. After arriving home I let the car sit for a while, started it and drove it around with no issues. 

 

 

Over the past couple of months, the same issue has occurred very intermittently until last week when my Mrs had the same issue, stopped the car, turned off the ignition and tried to restart it to see if the lights would go away and the car failed to start, starter motor fired but the car didn't start. RAC came out, when he arrived and it miraculously started with no issues or warning lights. He could see the error logs but no sign of any lasting faults and suggested it could be some water shorting a circuit or an loose connection somewhere. 

 

Again car ran perfectly for a week or so then today I started the car with no issue, but needed to walk down the road to go back into the house, so cut the engine and tried to restart it when I got back in but when I turned the ignition on all warning lights and messages on again but this time when the engine didn't start.  Turned the ignition back to neutral, tried again and nothing, no warning lights, no start nothing, everything dead. I left it for 5 mins tried again and it started with only the engine light remaining. The engine light will likely go off as it has in the past.

 

Has anyone got any thoughts on this? Also if it is water or loose connection somewhere (which sounds impossible to identify) where would I even go to get that diagnosed/fixed? 

 

Something to add, the car was supposed to have had one previous owner,  which is true but looks like it was a fleet car. Furthermore, when I had the towbar fitted the engineer let me know the car had siren software on there, I also noticed various bore holes in the side of the head lights and in the phone box/holder suggesting it had additional wiring looms in at some point. My research suggested it wasn't a Police car due to mileage /age but rather maybe a rapid response vehicle  based in the Devon/Cornwall area. I'm sure if any of that could be the cause of what's happening here? If so odd it's only kicked off after 8 months or so. 

 

Any help would be hugely appreciated. Apologies for the rant. 

 

Thanks!

 

Mat.

 

 

What condition is the battery in?

Hi Outrunner, 

 

Thanks for the reply. 

 

I only know that it's the original battery and it's sat at 70% which is pretty normal since I've had it, even after marathon journeys it only ever charges to 75% max. Are you thinking alternator issues?

 

Cheers 

I used to drive a Jaguar S-Type 2.7D, they were very likely to show various faults if the battery was near it's end of life. Maybe the Octavia is showing the same symptoms. If you have a multimeter check the charge. https://www.autozik.com/how-to-test-car-battery-with-multimeter/ 

4 hours ago, Outrunner said:

What condition is the battery in?

 

2 hours ago, Brewy83 said:

Hi Outrunner, 

 

Thanks for the reply. 

 

I only know that it's the original battery and it's sat at 70% which is pretty normal since I've had it, even after marathon journeys it only ever charges to 75% max. Are you thinking alternator issues?

 

Cheers 

Hi Outrunner,

 

Thanks for the reply. 

 

 

Does that tell me anything more than the 'state of charge' monitor shows (which is 70%)?

 

Cheers

 

As I read your post it was sounding more and more like the battery.  Then @Outrunner suggested it, so...…..

 

I had similar experience recently with a crv after it had been sat for a while.  65 plate so slightly newer but the modern stop/start batteries don't like to be sat for too long.  Cranking it to start then stopping soon after and expecting it to start again straight away gives it no chance to recover hence the not able to start after a short journey.

You're right it could point to a failing alternator but a stop/start battery at that age will be more likely.  Has the S/S been working correctly?

This really sounds like the battery is on its way out and the cold weather will make it worse- if stop / start (which I think it will be?) make sure the correct sort of battery is fited (EFB or AGM) and that it's coded to the car.

 

 

On 02/03/2020 at 08:26, MarkyG82 said:

As I read your post it was sounding more and more like the battery.  Then @Outrunner suggested it, so...…..

 

I had similar experience recently with a crv after it had been sat for a while.  65 plate so slightly newer but the modern stop/start batteries don't like to be sat for too long.  Cranking it to start then stopping soon after and expecting it to start again straight away gives it no chance to recover hence the not able to start after a short journey.

You're right it could point to a failing alternator but a stop/start battery at that age will be more likely.  Has the S/S been working correctly?

Hi Marky,

 

Thanks for the reply bud. 

 

I hear you. I'm not a huge fan of the S/S so personally I don't often have it on. I must say recently it has been playing up a little but can't be sure if it was with the melee of other rogue warnings.  The other day it definitely didn't work for a while after the car eventually started after the failed start. Before that the S/S did fail but it was at the same time as the DPF regeneration which I assume juices power. 

On 02/03/2020 at 08:55, bigjohn said:

This really sounds like the battery is on its way out and the cold weather will make it worse- if stop / start (which I think it will be?) make sure the correct sort of battery is fited (EFB or AGM) and that it's coded to the car.

 

 

Ok great, thanks Bigjohn.

Hi guys,

 

I hope everyone is as well as can be. 

Quick Update: I had the battery replaced with an equivalent AGM battery (Excide EK700), car was running great for a few days then yesterday started the car, started fine then immediately all error  messages and  warning lights on again, even indicators weren't working. Turned off the ignition gave it a few mins, turned the key again and nothing, engine didn't crank, no dash, no radio, I only this light slow building fan sound from the engine.  Car was 'dead' all night couldn't lock it with fob or hidden key barrel in the handle. Then miraculously this afternoon it locked again, haven't tried to start it yet though.  Battery is at a predictable 100% SOC. Any ideas what's causing all the errors?

 

Cheers 

Thinking back through the thread I'd be looking for a short circuit and also the alternator. Really sounds like it's wrecking things.

On 01/03/2020 at 18:03, Brewy83 said:

...the engineer let me know the car had siren software on there, I also noticed various bore holes in the side of the headlights and in the phone box/holder suggesting it had additional wiring looms in at some point. My research suggested it wasn't a Police car due to mileage /age but rather maybe a rapid response vehicle  based in the Devon/Cornwall area.

 

This is almost certainly your issue. To ready a regular production car for emergency services duty takes a huge amount of electrical systems modification.

 

When removing / disabling the various systems they've introduced a weakness into the system, which looks to only have come to light recently.

 

Sorry, I can't offer much help other than recommending you find a very well respected auto electrician.

12 hours ago, silver1011 said:

 

This is almost certainly your issue. To ready a regular production car for emergency services duty takes a huge amount of electrical systems modification.

 

When removing / disabling the various systems they've introduced a weakness into the system, which looks to only have come to light recently.

 

Sorry, I can't offer much help other than recommending you find a very well respected auto electrician.

It's confirmed my worst fears from the start. Ok buddy, I've found a 5 start auto electrician he looks like the right man...I'll let you know how it goes. Once again thanks to everyone for their help on this. I actually have a little something to 'give' back to the forum which I think will be quite useful, will post it at some point soon.  Stay well!💪🤘

This is a common fault on many cars when the battery life starts to deteriorate, I had the same problems on my st. Also I wouldn't breath much life into what battery chargers say, they give an indication but its not gospel. 

4 hours ago, caprixpack said:

This is a common fault on many cars when the battery life starts to deteriorate, I had the same problems on my st. Also I wouldn't breath much life into what battery chargers say, they give an indication but its not gospel. 

Hi buddy. I mentioned  couple of posts ago, a brand new battery has been fitted but problems are still occurring. Going to consult an auto electrician.

6 minutes ago, Brewy83 said:

Hi buddy. I mentioned  couple of posts ago, a brand new battery has been fitted but problems are still occurring. Going to consult an auto electrician.

 

Sorry must have missed that one. 

did you change the battery serial number using vcds or obdeleven when it was replaced?

7 hours ago, caprixpack said:

 

Sorry must have missed that one. 

Easily done. No worries. 

21 minutes ago, encephalopathy said:

did you change the battery serial number using vcds or obdeleven when it was replaced?

Hi bud. My local garage fitted the replacement, I would assume/hope, otherwise I would have done it myself. Perhaps it's worth saying we've had these warning issues pre and post new battery. 

Hi guys. I finally got to the bottom of it. An auto electrician found that my two bar had been incorrectly fitted, I believe there was an issue with the module. I don't know why it suddenly started to go after 6 months of it working fine but he disconnected the cluster and had no issues since. He's coming back to replace the module so fingers crossed. Thanks for your help.