The cruise control on my 54 plate Octavia Elegance 1.9tdi with DSG auto box (18k miles) has failed 9 times in the last month. Sometimes it simply 'drops-out' without me touching anything. Sometimes it fails when I try to change the cruising speed. If I stop and switch off the engine then restart it the cruise control works fine again.

Does any one know if this is a common problem and what causes it? I imagine it to be an electronic/computer problem which resets itself on restart. Also why would it 'drop-out' on its own with no input from me?

It's still under warranty and the Skoda guys say the usual put-off "Unless the fault shows when we are checking the car then we can't tell what the problem is since nothing is showing up on the diagnostic check". Before I demand action from Skoda I could do with some ammunition from others out there.

Thanks

Yes it's a common problem resulting from a batch of faulty stalks. There is a TSB and it will be replaced under warranty.

The fault code will probably be stored -

Code 00895 – “Cruise Control Switch – E45-faulty sporadic“

It's likely to be the switches attached to the pedal mechanism that are either faulty or need adjusting.

If they wrongly think you have touched the clutch then the cruise will disengage.

Had this on my Mk1

Currently the cruise on my 2.0 Elegance is broken, the switch does nothing. I keep meaning to get it sorted, but because I rarely use it have not bothered yet.

Currently the cruise on my 2.0 Elegance is broken, the switch does nothing. I keep meaning to get it sorted, but because I rarely use it have not bothered yet.

You had that code stored on yours when we did your dash pod IIRC Manny .

The cruise control on my 54 plate Octavia Elegance 1.9tdi with DSG auto box (18k miles) has failed 9 times in the last month. Sometimes it simply 'drops-out' without me touching anything. Sometimes it fails when I try to change the cruising speed. If I stop and switch off the engine then restart it the cruise control works fine again.

Does any one know if this is a common problem and what causes it? I imagine it to be an electronic/computer problem which resets itself on restart. Also why would it 'drop-out' on its own with no input from me?

It's still under warranty and the Skoda guys say the usual put-off "Unless the fault shows when we are checking the car then we can't tell what the problem is since nothing is showing up on the diagnostic check". Before I demand action from Skoda I could do with some ammunition from others out there.

Thanks

I've had something very similar happen with my 05 1.9Tdi Elegance manual gearbox. It started failing to set about once every month or so, then about once a week. At this point I got my Skoda dealer to look at it but they said there was no fault code logged and couldn't get it to fail (not surprising at one failure a week). I mentioned that it was a known fault due to a faulty batch of stalks but they denied any knowledge of this. Since then it has got progressively more frequent and began dropping out for no apparent reason. Now it will only set about one day in 10 and then only stays set for a maximaum of 20mins but usually a lot less. Once it has dropped out there is no chance it will work again until the engine has been restarted.

I'm going to get it booked in again because it will be easy for them to see the fault happening now - is there a reference number which i could tell them about regarding the "Known Problem"?

Dates back to late 2005.

If the cruise control intermittently stops working or does not work at all when driving Octavia II vehicles at a constant speed, it is necessary to check the fault memory of the steering column control unit (Address group 16)

If fault code 00895 – “Cruise Control Switch – E45-faulty sporadic“ is stored in address group 16, the cruise control switch (see Fig.1) is to be replaced according to the Octavia II Workshop Manual (Binder 2, Chapter 94-7, Page 3).

The part number of the cruise control switch has not been changed. Only modified switches are available from spare parts stock.

Please use a degree of sensibility though and don't go waving a print of this under the dealers nose - it'll not get you anywhere and won't help the forum.

Skoda has a bulletin out on this problem they had a bunch off duff cruise control stalks go thru.

Dealer order in a new stalk and mine was changed inside two hours, or as long as it took me to go shopping.

I use this piece of kit a lot now when driving.

Skoda has a bulletin out on this problem they had a bunch off duff cruise control stalks go thru.

Dealer order in a new stalk and mine was changed inside two hours, or as long as it took me to go shopping.

I use this piece of kit a lot now when driving.

I'm sure I said that - Is there an echo in here? :P

Just had my cruise control stalk replaced and you get the new style, looks a bit OTT, I don't think they could of crammed any more printing on it.

You shouldn't have had the new style one fitted to replace an earlier one. The earlier one is still a valid part.

Well it works and I m not taking it back to get changed.

Thanks to all for your responses.

Ken

I've had something very similar happen with my 05 1.9Tdi Elegance manual gearbox. It started failing to set about once every month or so, then about once a week. At this point I got my Skoda dealer to look at it but they said there was no fault code logged and couldn't get it to fail (not surprising at one failure a week). I mentioned that it was a known fault due to a faulty batch of stalks but they denied any knowledge of this. Since then it has got progressively more frequent and began dropping out for no apparent reason. Now it will only set about one day in 10 and then only stays set for a maximaum of 20mins but usually a lot less. Once it has dropped out there is no chance it will work again until the engine has been restarted.

I'm going to get it booked in again because it will be easy for them to see the fault happening now - is there a reference number which i could tell them about regarding the "Known Problem"?

It went in to the dealer today and they found the cruise problem on the diagnostics this time. They hadn't got a stalk in stock so it'll have to be another visit but at least it should be back working soon.

Finally got the cruise control stalk changed today. It took about 1.5hrs and they fitted a new style one. The indicators feel a little bit different than before but could just be because its brand new and not 2yr old/50K like most of the rest of the car.

My soon to be replace 54 golf had the stalk changed 4 times. Its been ok for 50k now.

VRs arrives soon.

rich

I picked up my used (8 month/<6k miles) VRs a week ago, only to discover the dealer fitted 'cruise' didn't work at all...it's in there today (has been for the last 5.5hrs) & they now advise it needs a new 'management control box' which had apparently gone faulty (between them fitting it & me picking it up?!?)

They have also discovered it needs some recall work done (which I am glad they have spotted..but can't help wonder why this wasn't done by Skoda when they had the car or while it sat on the dealers forecourt). All very frustrating for a first time Skoda owner.

Apart from the fuel economy which is a bit of a concern, first impressions are the performance is impressive...& I guess you can't have both (unless you go for the diesel!)

There wasn't a recall on the vRS and they shouldn't be telling you it's a recall. What there is, is a campaign to flash update the firmware on the ECU on the next visit to the workshop - You are quite right though the bulleten ordered the dealers to check all cars on the forcourt immediately and not to wait until PDi. Evidence that this has been completed is a sticker in the boot bearing the title 24k5 and an annotation in the service book.

Dealers do seem to have a problem with fitting these cruise controls and I have had to code several for dealers myself using my VAG-COM. I would be very surprised if there was a problem with the control unit. There is a chance that the unit is not compatible with Cruise Control but I've never seen one.

The other thing is that some of the earlier cars had a wire missing which must be fitted.

Not doing a road test after installation is unforgivable.

Thanks Stu, you were spot on - service book has been updated with the ref, didn't see anything in the book but it could be there (it was dark !) They are saying the control unit was faulty & was replaced (it certainly works now)...just all felt like an unecessary trip to the dealers & a lot of unecessary inconvenience.

Also sorted my insurance thro' Brentacre today, so thanks for that too.

They are saying the control unit was faulty & was replaced (it certainly works now)...

Again I find that hard to believe as it would not have be a readily available stock item. More like it wasn't coded correctly or that they missed the extra wire.

I had my stalk changed a couple of weeks after picking the car up when I spoke to my dealer he just rolled his eyes and booked it in to the workshop so I suspect they are getting it a lot.

unfortuntelyit happend also on my 2008 oct II! same sporadic error! the car is 4 months, and it showed up on first service, they said that i have to do another electrical test, and change the module. Also same error on light/rain sensor.

Stu,

Any idea when the Skoda TSB was sent out? My Fabia VRS has just developed the fault in cold weather and has just run out of warranty Dec 2007. Do you think Skoda will replace the stalk free of charge?

Thanks,

Ry

The TSB doesn't refer to the Fabia-VRS Ryan.

Thanks Stu. I took the car in to the Skoda dealer today for investigation and they called to say they found code 17977 logged. They have tested the car most of the day and it works fine, they suggest running the car and bringing it back if the symptoms persist. What's the cause of this error code Stu? Thanks for the help mate.