Hi folks

 

Went to start my Octavia today after not using it for a week or two and it wouldn't start. The starter solenoid clicks constantly and the dashboard lights flash on and off. The fuel gauge jerks up from quarter to half to three quarters to full but nothing seems right, and the display stutters as well. I'm currently charging the battery as it was low (showing 10.5v!) and it's cold and damp but is there anything else to look out for? I can't run a fault code scan on it because the ignition doesn't stay on long enough for the code reader to be recognised. 

Wonder if it could be an alarm cutting power to a solenoid?

 

Thanks.

Hello SS, very likely that the only fault is the dead battery. See what you get once it's charged - but I'd strongly suggest getting the battery tested, 10.5 volts is completely discharged ! - for it to drop that much in less than 14 days can mean only one of two things - something didn't shut down correctly - or the battery is faulty. 

Thanks warrior, that's reassuring. 🤞

It's probably the original battery, so not that surprising - it's 12 years old!

 

When it comes to replacing the battery, is it just a straight swap? No radio codes or similar to enter, or keys to reprogram?

7 minutes ago, sandspider said:

Thanks warrior, that's reassuring. 🤞

It's probably the original battery, so not that surprising - it's 12 years old!

 

When it comes to replacing the battery, is it just a straight swap? No radio codes or similar to enter, or keys to reprogram?

Not sure in regards to radio code. Mk3, MIB 1 or 2 doesn't. AFAIK, keys will not be affected. If your Scout has auto stop-Start, it is recommended to have any replacement battery adapted to the vehicle, VCDS (or similar) required for this coding - there is a location map on this forum for members who can do this for beer tokens.

New battery really should be adapted, even if replacement is same capacity and type. 

Thank you, also good to know. My scout is fairly ancient, no stop start.

59 minutes ago, sandspider said:

Thank you, also good to know. My scout is fairly ancient, no stop start.

In that case, no battery adaptation required. I'd suggest trawling through the Mk2 section for advice on the radio code though.

Just let the radio do its thing even if it asks you for a code, be patient and it will spring back into life after a while.

 

I wasn't patient even though I knew better and tried all the numbers I could find handwritten on the handbook, eventually it locked out after too many incorrect code attempts, I kicked myself and sulked but it came back to life the next day.

 

You might get fault code city on the dashboard, again dont panic, drive for about 25 yards and they will all go out.

 

The one touch window operation will likely need resetting, I can never recall precisely how but I hold the button down for a while and it works afterwards.

Just turn off the radio before you disconnect the old battery and the radio will start once you turn it on again with the new battery in place.

 

Thanks chaps, good to know 👍