Hi all,

 

I'm just back from the dealership who have quoted me over €2000 for a replacement headunit for my Octavia, it's a late 2017 VRS model with a Columbus head unit I think (not sure on the exact model)
I bought this car last year with a 2-year "Skoda Approved Used Warranty" and I'm in a bit of an argument with the dealership's reluctance to even check if it's covered or not. If they've said this is a faulty unit, I'm not sure what their argument is to not cover the replacement.

 

Besides all that, the issue with the unit is that the touchscreen isn't working. The power button still responds to touches, and I've tried resetting it numerous times, disconnecting the battery for a period of time, only thing I haven't tried it checking the fuses myself, though I doubt this could be caused by a fuse.

 

What's more, the unit can still detect my hand and shows the icon on the screen, so to say this is infuriating is an understatement! I'd prefer if it was just a blank screen 😂

Everything still works, bluetooth, FM radio, CarPlay, etc. but I can only do some basic controls with the awful voice control. I got a puncture 2 weeks ago and since then I can't clear the warning as I need to do it via the screen, so I'm not sure will my car be able to pass inspection next time.

 

Am I out of options here?

 

I'd take a very careful read through all the warranty conditions and then demand a clear answer as to why they think it's not covered.

If everything still works but it is unresponsive isn't it just likely to be the screen? They can be replaced separately to the brains of the unit I'm the glovebox. Does a full scan show anything? 

5 hours ago, TheClient said:

If everything still works but it is unresponsive isn't it just likely to be the screen? They can be replaced separately to the brains of the unit I'm the glovebox. Does a full scan show anything? 

My thoughts exactly, everything works fine with the infotainment system/calls etc. other than touch detection.

What do you mean by a full scan, with an OBD reader or something?

16 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

I'd take a very careful read through all the warranty conditions and then demand a clear answer as to why they think it's not covered.

They’ve really turned me off every buying a Skoda again, that’s for sure.

This is the flagship Skoda dealership in Ireland that I’m dealing with, expected a lot more to say the least!

On 21/08/2022 at 16:05, Mark_245VRS said:

My thoughts exactly, everything works fine with the infotainment system/calls etc. other than touch detection.

What do you mean by a full scan, with an OBD reader or something?

A screen, especially if you buy used, will be a lot cheaper than replacing the whole MIB2.5 unit. I wonder why skoda dealer is suggesting that?  Is yours the 9.2" glass screen or 8"?   The screen comes out pretty easy with the help of a set of vw radio keys. They just release the tabs at each corner.

 

Yes, you should get a full scan done using something like VCDS or OBDeleven. It will report on all the control systems including media. It may display a fault. It will also give the serial number, sw / fw versions. The other thing you could try is a fw (firmware update) if not the latest. There are people on here more clued up on that than me in that regard, I'm surprised someone hasn't posted.

 

You could get the fw / sw info from the information screen on your unit. If you can get that far. Otherwise the scan will give you the info then post another thread asking about firmware upgrade and if that could cause any kind of operational issue.  I know it was working fine before, which does suggest it is actually a hardware fault but I have seen posts where things can be resolved by an updated flash.

An update to this long saga:

So the dealership finally agreed it was replaceable under warranty. A light at the end of the tunnel for me, or so I thought!

They ordered the control unit and let me know they had it, dropped the car off to them to get a service at the same time. They let me know 6 hours later that the unit they ordered is the wrong one! So I've to wait another few weeks for the right one, I don't know whether to laugh or cry 😂

 

They also let me know that as the car is 5 years old now it needs the timing chain and water pump replaced, plus they recommended new pads and rotors all round with a brake fluid change. Probably close to a €2000 bill which I politely declined for now until this radio gets replaced. I don't doubt them with the front pads and rotors, but I can't imagine the rear need to be done too.

 

Plus €10 for a new key battery but I got both keys replaced by the same dealer a few months ago when the car was in having the radio checked! Had to tell her twice I didn't need it and wasn't paying.

 

Once the radio gets sorted by this dealer, I don't think I'll be back again..

 

Well. Some progress on ent unit!!  5 years sounds about right for pads and discs but inspect for yourself.

 

Timing chain at 5 years? Is yours a tsi, if so there is no recommended mileage, it is a lifetime part in vw eyes. But many say a new chain and tensioner is worthwhile investment if running to car past 100k miles... 

 

Oh and the dealer price for front pads and discs is probably £350 or £400. Suspect you could do at an independent with aftermarket oem quality half that... 

Edited 28 September, 20223 yr by TheClient

12 minutes ago, TheClient said:

Timing chain at 5 years? Is yours a tsi, if so there is no recommended mileage, it is a lifetime part in vw eyes. But many say a new chain and tensioner is worthwhile investment if running to car past 100k miles... 

 

Oh and the dealer price for front pads and discs is probably £350 or £400. Suspect you could do at an independent with aftermarket oem quality half that... 

 

Yeah she's a 2.0 TSI, not even 50K km on the clock though!
I couldn't find any definite intervals/recommendations online about anything other than the basic filters/oil changes, and no other info than that in the User manual either which I thought was weird.

I know manufacturers usually X amount of mileage OR X amount of years, but 5 years for a chain is quite short in my eyes, for such an expensive job too.

 

Also asked the dealership could I get a list of the required/recommended/advised intervals and was told it was all online 😶

 

I think they quoted something like €600-800 for the brakes- as the VRS rotors are bigger than normal, and with labour it's probably not an outrageous price, but I'd be looking at €550-600 with aftermarket OEM in the local garage instead...

42 minutes ago, TheClient said:

Timing chain at 5 years? Is yours a tsi, if so there is no recommended mileage, it is a lifetime part in vw eyes.

 

Timing chain or belt?

 

On the Octavia engines with a timing belt Skoda UK 'recommend' changing it after 5 years but no other importer recommends this and some VW study documents suggest its for lifetime.

 

Other VAG engines I've owned with a timing chain owners have reported some stretch becoming significant after more than 100,000 miles (the 4.2L 20V B6 S4 was particularly affected).

Ea888 gen 3 in vrs mk3 tsi is chain.