Octavia mk3 rear USB install.

[sessions]

After being pestered by my Daughter for the need to charge a phone in the back seats of the car. I thought I would go OEM and fit the rear USB sockets in the centre console as my model of car didn't have them.

 

 

Parts needed;

I ordered these from www.skoda-parts.com, it took 1 week to deliver the parts from Europe. The only thing I didn't order from Skoda was the actual USB unit, as it worked out too expensive, it was £45 for the usb and extra for the cable.

I got this from aliexpress instead as it worked out around £20 with shipping.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000454430275.html?spm=a2g0o.search0302.0.0.48f2d710S9U8kD&algo_pvid=d763b097-fa97-4d9d-84fc-cabfb2587725&algo_expid=d763b097-fa97-4d9d-84fc-cabfb2587725-26&btsid=0b0a555a16212796060048113e0e8c&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

 

These are the parts I ordered from Skoda parts.

5E0 863 284 D 9B9	Storage Compartment - Rear Škoda	1 ×	21,84 EUR
5E0 863 229  9B9	Cover left Škoda	1 ×	0,53 EUR
5E0 863 230  9B9	Cover Right Škoda	1 ×	0,53 EUR
5E0 857 346 A 9B9	Cover Škoda	1 ×	7,49 EUR
5E0 857 289 F 9B9	Center Tunnel Cover Škoda	1 ×	11,09 EUR
POST14.00	Shipping	1 ×	16,80 EUR
Total price incl. shipping and VAT			58,28 EUR

 

 

 

The only tools i needed was a Torx tx20 bit and the ratchet to put it in.

Small flat screwdriver to help remove the 12v cigarette lighter socket.

A plastic trim remover might also help, but never needed one.

A lighter socket removal tool would probably help too as I had to press the tabs in quite a bit, to get the socket out.

 

 

So I first started off in the rear of the car moving the front seat forward to give me more room to work in, this is how it looked originally.

 

 

First I removed the ashtray, just open it up, and give it a gentle pull towards you, it should unclip nice and easy. There is an area for an LED at the back of the ashtray which i'm guessing is used in some models but not in mine.

 

   

Next up put your hands in the hole where the ashtray was up towards the rear vents, just give them a gentle push from behind and they will pop out, put these to one side.

 

 

 

Next up remove the 4 torx screws shown in the following picture.

 

 

Then again I just pulled the trim part towards me, you may use you trim removal tool there are two raised parts which clip in near the bottom shown in the picture. 

 

 

 

Next up round to the front seat, move the seat back as far as you can just to give you more room to work in.

The next thing i did was to pull the bottom trim down this just need a gentle pull downwards and it pops out. again just to give a bit more space to work in. (be careful if left in place when sliding the chair forward as it can get caught up).

 

 

Following that time to remove the cigarette socket,

(It may be a good idea to remove the fuse or take the battery wire off as this socket stays live when the car is off and if you slip with the screwdriver may cause a short).

There are two small black tabs near the top which need pressing in to allow the cigarette socket to out of the black housing. I had to press them in up to the point I thought I was going to break something I ended up bending the metal slightly but bent it back before I replaced the socket. So maybe the removal tool is the easier option.

 

 

 

Next you want to unplug the socket from the wiring, and remove the black plastic ring.  The loom you get with the USB plugs, just plug between the cigarette lighter plug and socket. 

so you can now plug in the loom to the car wiring and pull the red plug and wire down through the hole. and for now out of lower trim that was removed. 

The black plastic ring can go back over the new plug. 

And the cigarette socket can be plugged back in.

I left it out of the trim for time being until i could test the usb.

 

 

 

 

After this i fed the wire with the red plug for the USB unit back past the inside of the seat.

Then moved into the back of the car, moving the seat forward to allow access. 

This bit was quite fiddly as my hands are quite large, I fed the wire up with my right hand and had my left hand in the hole where the ashtray was as far forward as it could go under the air vent pipe. it took a couple of tries but eventually felt the wire and managed to pull it through. out of the rear trim.

You can see in the picture where it is going up into the trim (it looks like it is looped around the chair but it isn't I haven't pulled it taught yet). 

 

Then it was time to screw the new trim piece in put it back making sure it clicks in place then using the 4 torx screws that were removed screw them back in. 

Next up I clicked the USB unit into the small trim piece, it only goes one way and the aliexpress unit was a perfect fit, I could now plug the red plug into the unit and test it worked.!

....It does.

So carrying on I routed the wire where I thought it should go, there was a small hook on the left hand side so used that. and clicked the second trim piece into place. the blanking pieces were next they were straight forward and only go in one way.

And the vents were next make sure the vent pipe is seated right as it is loose in there and I had moved it when squeezing my hand in there.

These just pushed straight back in make sure you hear them click in place. Also the new smaller Ashtray just clicks in the same as before.

 

   

 

Following this i tucked the wire up inside the centre console, and clipped the front piece of trim back in place again it just clips in place nothing too awkward. and pushed the black clip and cigarette socket back into place.

 

The last picture looks patchy its because i had just wiped my greasy fingerprints off of it.!!

 

And Voila one happy Daughter can now charge her phone in the back of the car.  

 

 

Edited 17 May, 2021 by sessions
pic

[GordoGT]

Brilliant Pics, guide, and write up.

I'm gonna be all over this retrofit for my car too!

Thanks for taking the time to upload for our benefit 

[ANJ82]

Such a great write up and something that I would love to do myself - thank you for sharing this - I really appreciate it!

[robst]

Great write up, just followed this myself.  Longest part was a tie between removing/fitting glove box to access the fuses and trying to retrieve a screw that I managed to drop down the air vent! 

 

But now I have a daughter who can play on tablet on long journeys. 🙂

 

I certainly recommend the official cig lighter removal tool, took about 30 seconds to the lighter out.

[MuskUp]

Just here to add thanks.  Great write up/parts list etc.  Just done this afternoon and all works a charm and went as described.

[MikeDMikeyDarby]

Fantastically detailed guide that's perfect or this idiot to follow. It took me longer to order the parts than to fit whilst I was following the guide.

[sessions]

On 31/08/2021 at 16:45, ANJ82 said:

Such a great write up and something that I would love to do myself - thank you for sharing this - I really appreciate it!

No problem👍🏼

[sessions]

On 09/10/2021 at 13:51, robst said:

Great write up, just followed this myself.  Longest part was a tie between removing/fitting glove box to access the fuses and trying to retrieve a screw that I managed to drop down the air vent! 

 

But now I have a daughter who can play on tablet on long journeys. 🙂

 

I certainly recommend the official cig lighter removal tool, took about 30 seconds to the lighter out.

Oh dear. I'm usually pretty good at dropping screws in hard to get places usually in the engine bay🙂

On 06/12/2021 at 11:55, MikeDMikeyDarby said:

Fantastically detailed guide that's perfect or this idiot to follow. It took me longer to order the parts than to fit whilst I was following the guide.

Good to hear, happy to help.👍

[sessions]

On 14/11/2021 at 15:57, MuskUp said:

Just here to add thanks.  Great write up/parts list etc.  Just done this afternoon and all works a charm and went as described.

You are most welcome happy to help.

[Pantersen]

Thanks for the great guide! I was just looking to do the same to my OK but was wondering if it would be possible for the pre-face OK3. I noticed some of the parts used are defined as for the facelift. Thanks a bunch!

[OccySport]

Great explanation of how this is done 👍

[sessions]

On 18/04/2022 at 10:20, Pantersen said:

Thanks for the great guide! I was just looking to do the same to my OK but was wondering if it would be possible for the pre-face OK3. I noticed some of the parts used are defined as for the facelift. Thanks a bunch!

I'd imagine they're all the same as I think it was just exterior updated on the facelift

[SotonEd]

Just done this today using the guide - super easy and took about hour all in. My only two suggestions would be:

1. There’s more space to thread the wire through if you remove the air vent ducting. It simply lifts in and out as it’s not screwed in 
2. When removing the lighter socket without the tool make sure you don’t snap off the two black plastic lugs as it’ll be difficult to fully reseat/retain the lighter socke once refitted

[VRS_White_Hatch]

I'd do this If I had the time. Great stuff!! 

 

Might get the chance soon, just got too much on at the mo.

 

Am I being a bit thick - When you say ordered the Skoda parts from Europe where do you order them? 

[SotonEd]

I got all of the parts from: https://www.skoda-parts.com/online-store.html except the Ali Express item. I found all of the items were roughly the same price as when the thread was first posted. If you are going to do it one point I didn’t fully get was that the lighter comes out first and then the black surround comes out second. Also I managed to partly break the plastic clips when removing the lighter and so it might be worth considering adding one of these to the original order (https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/6y09193419b9-expansion-tube-14288.html). It’s a ridiculous amount for what it is but turns out to a 5-% of the cost of buying a lighter removal tool.

[sessions]

On 21/05/2022 at 23:20, VRS_White_Hatch said:

I'd do this If I had the time. Great stuff!! 

 

Might get the chance soon, just got too much on at the mo.

 

Am I being a bit thick - When you say ordered the Skoda parts from Europe where do you order them? 

https://www.skoda-parts.com/online-store.html

[FantasiaDK]

@sessions thank you so much for sharing, I just followed your guide, and loved the images, made some things a lot easier.

Buying the stuff from Skoda Parts was no problem, it was a bit more expensive, but so is everything.

The thing that actually took most of my time was that damn cigarete plug.

I wan't to a carshop to buy a lighter socket removal tool, but they don't have it. I guess having such a tool would make it take like 2 minuttes to change it, and not being afraid of breaking the lighter socket.

I bend it a bit, so it can be a bit hard to put something into it, but I don't need it anymore. I have 3 usb chargers now

 

Should have cleaned my car before taking a photo  

 

 

[macro]

Thank you @sessions for the detailed guide!

On a pre- FL model (with 230V outlet), required plastic parts:
Central tunnel cover (5E0 857 289 B 9B9) - replace with MY2018-version  (5E0 857 289 G 9B9)  - though hacksaw works also 😉
Cover Skoda (5E0 863 289  9B9) - replace with MY2018-version (5E0 863 289 A 9B9).

And for other tinkerers using parts from a junkyard - BEC (JST-RCY) male fits to the pins in the USB (5Q0 035 726 L), pin 1 is +12V and pin 2 is GND.

[MickC93]

On 11/04/2023 at 15:51, macro said:

Thank you @sessions for the detailed guide!

On a pre- FL model (with 230V outlet), required plastic parts:
Central tunnel cover (5E0 857 289 B 9B9) - replace with MY2018-version  (5E0 857 289 G 9B9)  - though hacksaw works also 😉
Cover Skoda (5E0 863 289  9B9) - replace with MY2018-version (5E0 863 289 A 9B9).

And for other tinkerers using parts from a junkyard - BEC (JST-RCY) male fits to the pins in the USB (5Q0 035 726 L), pin 1 is +12V and pin 2 is GND.

 

So on the PFL you were able to use the same parts listed?

[Gjhu]

On 17/05/2021 at 23:29, sessions said:

After being pestered by my Daughter for the need to charge a phone in the back seats of the car. I thought I would go OEM and fit the rear USB sockets in the centre console as my model of car didn't have them.

 

 

Parts needed;

I ordered these from www.skoda-parts.com, it took 1 week to deliver the parts from Europe. The only thing I didn't order from Skoda was the actual USB unit, as it worked out too expensive, it was £45 for the usb and extra for the cable.

I got this from aliexpress instead as it worked out around £20 with shipping.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000454430275.html?spm=a2g0o.search0302.0.0.48f2d710S9U8kD&algo_pvid=d763b097-fa97-4d9d-84fc-cabfb2587725&algo_expid=d763b097-fa97-4d9d-84fc-cabfb2587725-26&btsid=0b0a555a16212796060048113e0e8c&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

 

These are the parts I ordered from Skoda parts.

5E0 863 284 D 9B9	Storage Compartment - Rear Škoda	1 ×	21,84 EUR
5E0 863 229  9B9	Cover left Škoda	1 ×	0,53 EUR
5E0 863 230  9B9	Cover Right Škoda	1 ×	0,53 EUR
5E0 857 346 A 9B9	Cover Škoda	1 ×	7,49 EUR
5E0 857 289 F 9B9	Center Tunnel Cover Škoda	1 ×	11,09 EUR
POST14.00	Shipping	1 ×	16,80 EUR
Total price incl. shipping and VAT			58,28 EUR

 

 

 

The only tools i needed was a Torx tx20 bit and the ratchet to put it in.

Small flat screwdriver to help remove the 12v cigarette lighter socket.

A plastic trim remover might also help, but never needed one.

A lighter socket removal tool would probably help too as I had to press the tabs in quite a bit, to get the socket out.

 

 

So I first started off in the rear of the car moving the front seat forward to give me more room to work in, this is how it looked originally.

 

 

First I removed the ashtray, just open it up, and give it a gentle pull towards you, it should unclip nice and easy. There is an area for an LED at the back of the ashtray which i'm guessing is used in some models but not in mine.

 

   

Next up put your hands in the hole where the ashtray was up towards the rear vents, just give them a gentle push from behind and they will pop out, put these to one side.

 

 

 

Next up remove the 4 torx screws shown in the following picture.

 

 

Then again I just pulled the trim part towards me, you may use you trim removal tool there are two raised parts which clip in near the bottom shown in the picture. 

 

 

 

Next up round to the front seat, move the seat back as far as you can just to give you more room to work in.

The next thing i did was to pull the bottom trim down this just need a gentle pull downwards and it pops out. again just to give a bit more space to work in. (be careful if left in place when sliding the chair forward as it can get caught up).

 

 

Following that time to remove the cigarette socket,

(It may be a good idea to remove the fuse or take the battery wire off as this socket stays live when the car is off and if you slip with the screwdriver may cause a short).

There are two small black tabs near the top which need pressing in to allow the cigarette socket to out of the black housing. I had to press them in up to the point I thought I was going to break something I ended up bending the metal slightly but bent it back before I replaced the socket. So maybe the removal tool is the easier option.

 

 

 

Next you want to unplug the socket from the wiring, and remove the black plastic ring.  The loom you get with the USB plugs, just plug between the cigarette lighter plug and socket. 

so you can now plug in the loom to the car wiring and pull the red plug and wire down through the hole. and for now out of lower trim that was removed. 

The black plastic ring can go back over the new plug. 

And the cigarette socket can be plugged back in.

I left it out of the trim for time being until i could test the usb.

 

 

 

 

After this i fed the wire with the red plug for the USB unit back past the inside of the seat.

Then moved into the back of the car, moving the seat forward to allow access. 

This bit was quite fiddly as my hands are quite large, I fed the wire up with my right hand and had my left hand in the hole where the ashtray was as far forward as it could go under the air vent pipe. it took a couple of tries but eventually felt the wire and managed to pull it through. out of the rear trim.

You can see in the picture where it is going up into the trim (it looks like it is looped around the chair but it isn't I haven't pulled it taught yet). 

 

Then it was time to screw the new trim piece in put it back making sure it clicks in place then using the 4 torx screws that were removed screw them back in. 

Next up I clicked the USB unit into the small trim piece, it only goes one way and the aliexpress unit was a perfect fit, I could now plug the red plug into the unit and test it worked.!

....It does.

So carrying on I routed the wire where I thought it should go, there was a small hook on the left hand side so used that. and clicked the second trim piece into place. the blanking pieces were next they were straight forward and only go in one way.

And the vents were next make sure the vent pipe is seated right as it is loose in there and I had moved it when squeezing my hand in there.

These just pushed straight back in make sure you hear them click in place. Also the new smaller Ashtray just clicks in the same as before.

 

   

 

Following this i tucked the wire up inside the centre console, and clipped the front piece of trim back in place again it just clips in place nothing too awkward. and pushed the black clip and cigarette socket back into place.

 

The last picture looks patchy its because i had just wiped my greasy fingerprints off of it.!!

 

And Voila one happy Daughter can now charge her phone in the back of the car.  

 

 

Question ; does the 12 volt socket still works after this upgrade?

[PetrolDave]

10 minutes ago, Gjhu said:

Question ; does the 12 volt socket still works after this upgrade?

Yes, the connection to the USB sockets is a piggyback onto the connections to the 12V socket.

[Gjhu]

Thanks for your quick reply!😀

[sessions]

19 minutes ago, Gjhu said:

Question ; does the 12 volt socket still works after this upgrade?

As PetrolDave said everything still works as it should. 

[aidy55]

Would this be compatible option for a 2018 octavia? 

 

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNJnr54

 

Seems to be a complete kit if im not mistaken

[aidy55]

Ive completed this with the above aliexpress part. Seems much better, everything you need for £50 and has a nice storage box instead of an ashtray. 

 

Im tempted to swap cables around behind fusebox from 12v socket to rear wiper. This would make 12v sockets switched and rear wiper permanent. 

 

Cant think of a better way to get switched 12v sockets as i dont want to have to remember everytime to unplug my devices