Some warning lights have started appearing - specifically the tyre pressure warning, ABS, Park assist. Also the start-stop system does not function either. A local garage diagnosed a faulty tyre pressure sensor and changed it which appeared to initially sort the problem.

 

But now after driving some distance (so far this happend between 8 - 20 miles from cold) the same lights come on again - and after some further miles more serious warning lights come on - EPC, engine symbol (emissions), power steering, brakes, plus the speedo and gear display stops working. At low revs the engine feels noticably different though does not fail. Also brakes and power steering seem ok. The local garage say I should get a full diagnostics at a main dealer.  

As stated above it always seems ok when first started from cold - very odd. Any suggestions before I go down the main dealer route. Model is Fabia III Monte Carlo estate - registered Jan 2018.
Ta

The car does not have Tyre Pressure Sensors does it?  The ABS system provides you with the TPMS.

How much did that cost you?

 

Was it an ABS  wheel sensor they replaced?

 

See the post by @treeishtoday.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/509589-multiple-system-and-electrical-issues-now-some-dd-mechanical-ones

 

Edited 14 January, 20233 yr by toot

Yes I do mean the ABS sensor that was replaced.  Paid around £130 for that plus the diagnostic work they did. 

Read the post you mention - in my case no I get no problems when started from cold and only after its been running for some time.

 

Obviously reluctant to do too longer drive at the moment.

 

5 hours ago, steveb2006 said:

A local garage diagnosed a faulty tyre pressure sensor

LIE!!! Your car doesn't have TP sensors. What it does have is ABS sensors, which can also be used for indirect tyre pressure sensing, and speedo readings, traction control... Not every problem that reports as "wheel sensor fault" actually is. Some of them are the wiring to that sensor, or a dirty rotor disc at that corner.

2 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

LIE!!! Your car doesn't have TP sensors

 

Steady on old chap, that's a very aggressive and confrontational way of correcting someone, are you feeling allright?

 

2 hours ago, steveb2006 said:

Yes I do mean the ABS sensor that was replaced

 

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

20 hours ago, steveb2006 said:

Some warning lights have started appearing - specifically the tyre pressure warning, ABS, Park assist. Also the start-stop system does not function either

From that the first thing I would do is check the battery's state of charge.  Even if the car starts and the lights seem bright enough the battery can still be too low for the computers and their programs and they will throw up all sorts of unexpected warning lights and messages.  First thing noticed is often the start/stop becomes in operative, then perhaps power steering light but other miscellaneous lights and warnings can show up.  Check out any number of threads on here.

 

Check the battery state of charge at the posts a couple of hours after the car has been parked up.  To allow for variations if the reading is say at or below 12.3V then fully recharge the battery with an appropriate battery charger but don't be in a rush with it, avoid fast charging, it could take overnight and more ,see the details in your Owner's Manual.  If you haven't got the time or patience first time to fully recharge the battery then repeat the recharges until the battery is fully recharged.

 

At the worst doing this will cost very little mains electricity, take a small amount of effort and a bit of time and having the battery in a good state of charge will help with problem solving and diagnosis whereas in a low state of charge it could hinder or cause issues. 

 

Just driving the car often is not good enough to recharge the battery fully or enough.

 

Link for pdf copy of Owner's Manual in case you don't have your paper printed copy. -https://manual.skoda-auto.com/004/en-com/Models

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

 

Edited 15 January, 20233 yr by nta16
ETA: Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

Thanks Nigel, will try that

Steve

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

(ETA: sorry Steve I forgot to use your name, how rude of me, despite the reminder in your (bit on the left with details in that I've no idea what it's called).)

 

Even if not all or any of the issues are battery related having a battery in good state of charge will help and if it is just the battery then happy days quick easy fix but you will have to keep an eye on your battery's state of charge for a while to ensure you don't get a repeat of the issue.

 

If it is the battery then most lights should go out after fully recharging but those that don't should go out with a bit of driving, those that remain on after this obviously will need investigating.  I saw in another thread where warranty work on ABS (IIRC sensor and perhaps tyre pressure) was said to have ben caused by a wheel bearing possibly damaged by potholes.  Some VWSkoda Fabia Mk3 suspension parts and wheel bearings do seem to be a lot less sturdy or at least short lived compared to what I'd expect and compared with other marques, hopefully not yours, my wife's car has already had replacement front dampers at 6 years old.

 

Let us know how you get on.

 

Edited 16 January, 20233 yr by nta16
ETA:

Thanks for the charging advice

Interesting results so far - charged the battery for 18-20 hours but the 'full charge' light on the charger never came on. Its only an old cheap charger - maybe I could do with getting a better one.  But so far no warning lights have come on after doing a few rides of between 15 and 25 miles. Today did 2 x 23 miles with 1.5 hour gap before between the 2 legs. Going to get the battery fully tested tomorrow (just in case it is an issue with the battery that the charger never registrerd full charge).

 

Steve

If your battery is original, it could be on it's last legs at 5 year's, though they can last longer for sure.

 

The cold takes a fair bit out of the car, and it can take a while to put back what's been taking out during start-up, it's compounded by headlights being used, rear windows heating, and so on.

 

 

Worse case scenario, but not too scare you too much is the alternator is not as healthy as it once was, sure it's outputting a charge, but not enough.  It could be an idea if you haven't already, to check that all the Earth points in the engine bay are secure and don't look crusty.  Some might be low down and could need a ramp to check (cross that bridge when it comes to it)

3 hours ago, steveb2006 said:

Its only an old cheap charger

Is it suitable for charging an EFB type Battery?

 

The EFB batteries want a little more/higher voltage than a normal battery needs to charge up.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

7 hours ago, steveb2006 said:

charged the battery for 18-20 hours but the 'full charge' light on the charger never came on. Its only an old cheap charger - maybe I could do with getting a better one.

Steve, if the charger is old but has a slow charge (setting) and lower amps (rather than fast charge and higher amps) then that's OK you might just have needed to give it longer, you can always give it another go.  As you have experienced getting something into the battery is better than nothing and what a can happen with a battery in a low state of charge.

 

For future it might be worth you getting an appropriate charger, Lidl are selling one for £15 or I bought a Ring for £23.49 (other sellers and prices and makes and models available).  Personally I'd not go over 4 amps but I have time and patience which I know some lack one or both.

 

Personally I'd want and expect more than 5 years out of a battery but there are many variables ( including German marques like VW practices).

 

 

7 hours ago, steveb2006 said:

Going to get the battery fully tested tomorrow (just in case it is an issue with the battery that the charger never registrerd full charge).

Good idea but do bear in mind car 12v batteries are one of the most oversold car parts, on the other hand a battery that has been used, abused and neglected too much and/or too often can only recover so much for so long.

 

As varooom has pointed out it may also be worth getting your alternator tested too, some battery testers can also test alternators too.

 

Edited 18 January, 20233 yr by nta16
spelling

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

Steve, this is what I'm going to do and I think it'd benefit others too.  With the appropriate (Ring 4 amp) smart battery charger and maintainer I'm going to recharge the (AGM) battery on my wife's car when winter tyres would be fitted (by others, we don't need them) and again when they would be taken off, so start and end of real winter weather - and again just after hottest part of summer weather.

 

The battery (and car and charging system) don't do as well in really cold or really hot weather, say the battery likes (+)5c to 20c, at 30c  the self-discharge factor doubles compared to 20c (twenty), at 40c (as we had here last summer) the self-discharge factor doubles compared to 30c (thirty) which is why I'm adding in the summer recharge.

 

To give you an idea, my wife's AGM battery was 18-months, though the car normally gets mainly short runs the previous couple of weeks it had at least three long runs.  I put the Ring RSC 804 (4 amp) charger on (as per Owner's Manual instructions) and set it to winter setting (below +5c normally though not stated) and it tool 17 hours to fully recharge the battery in temperatures of (+)2c to -3.5c.

 

Other makes, models suppliers and prices are available (Lidl had some for £15).

 

Ring RSC804 "4a Smart Battery Charger & Maintainer" (up to 90 Ah)  (they do a 6 amp version too RSC 806, up to 110 Ah))  - https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RSC804

 

£23.49 - a bit less from some other places - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334438759247

 

Edited 18 January, 20233 yr by nta16
ETA: up to 90 Ah

Thanks Nigel and others for advice.  Since charging - no further issues with warning lights since 16th Jan

Steve

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

Good news Steve.

 

Keep an eye on your battery when required fully recharge it with your battery charger (a lot) sooner rather than later the battery could last a few years more perhaps.  If you recharge the battery sooner it won't take as long to get to full recharge but stick with the long low slow recharge as that's usually more effective.  You can't affect the past but you can the present and future.

 

If you take a VW product like a (modern) Skoda to a garage with a few warning lights and messages on and testing the battery isn't among their initial assessments then they don't know the marque or are looking for more work than is perhaps necessary.