Hi Everyone!
I have reached a dead end with my Laura!
The 30K service was duly done at Vinayak Skoda, Bangalore. It was hardly a week when an error suddenly popped up on the maxi dot, “Adapdive Front lighting syst. (AFS) failure, owner’s manual”
I was taken aback for a moment but then composed myself to have a look. The first thing that I did was to power off the engine, remove the key, wait for a couple of minutes and check again. This was to no avail and the error still existed. I then opened up the bonnet to check for any connection related issues or bulb failures, but the surprising part was that the bulbs were both lighting (low and high beams) and the AFS initialization was also taking place but the console was still throwing up the error.
Opening up the bonnet gave me a shock that made me ‘hang’ like a windows computer! The AFS module on the RHS headlamp unit had come apart and was simply hanging on the wires! The headlamp unit has both the ballast and the AFS unit which are screwed on to the back of the unit. The AFS unit is screwed onto a plastic cover, which in turn locks up at the back of the headlamp unit. This also serves as a cover for the high beam and is a provision through which one may replace the high beam halogen bulbs. I noticed the clip on this cover is broken. I was quite annoyed and shocked because the materials used by Skoda, be it metal or plastic are according to certain standards and there is no way they can break unless tampered with.
I also noticed the screws pillar on the cover (onto which the AFS module is screwed onto) are cracked. This gave me further jitters and shock. I’d also noticed the same on the LHS headlamp unit but the fastening clip is still intact. I was quite sure someone had tampered the headlamp units.
I called up Prem (SA, Vinayak Skoda) and before he could even listen to the issue, he replied, “sir, everything was okay when you took the vehicle” and asked me to come to the workshop to check.
A VAS scan was performed and it showed an error on the AFS module and Prem immediately told me the AFS module was damaged and requires replacement. He told me the approximate cost would be about 32K
I did not trust him as I’m quite confident about Skoda parts and that they can’t simply fail without a reason. I took the car to a good friend of mine and to Shibin (Pete’s) where I’d performed a scan using VCDs. Though there was an error on the AFS controller, it was a priority 6 error and intermittent. This gave me an idea that the controller is NOT faulty but some connection issue as it was hanging on the wires.
I decided to escalate the issue to the Vinayak management. Their first response was that I’d fitted the headlamp unit elsewhere (proved with a team-bhp photo) and that I should not blame them.
My reply was that I’m quite cognizant that I won’t get warranty from Skoda because I’d purchased these from Vagtune and I had no intention of claiming one either. However, how did they (Prem) simply conclude the AFS controller to be faulty without proper diagnosis? How did the fastening clip break without anyone tampering those areas? Hence they are responsible for what happened!
I take great care of my car such that I’ve only let Vinayak Skoda and Sukesh to touch my car. I’d not been to Sukesh anytime recently for any work and I’m certain Sukesh cannot come to my car at night (like dracula or some ghost), ruin the headlamp unit and go away! Thus I’m made to conclude someone at the workshop must have tampered the headlamp units during the service. Apart from the headlamp unit, one of the auto parking sensors (front right) was also dislocated. Prem immediately told me I must have hit somewhere and that these sensors are sensitive enough for it to get dislocated even at the push of a finger! I guess he probably doesn’t even know how they’re fixed, else he won’t have given this dump explanation. Nevertheless, they fixed that part for me. I’d not hit anywhere and even produced a photo of bumper clearly showing there are no scratches. Prem told me the bumper had caved inwards and come outwards to the normal shape - interesting theory and that too without a single scratch!
Vinayak Skoda washing team also did a wonderful thing to ruin the car horn by letting in water to the horn! Now the horn sounds more like a dog barking! Prem also told me to replace the horn for about 5K!
However, as for the headlamp and AFS, I further had to escalate to Skoda, who intern passed it back to Vinayak and a lot of mail exchanges took place and finally they decided to examine my vehicle once again and see if it can be fixed.
The technician who checked told me its due to the improper seating of the AFS module on the cover that’s probably triggering this issue. The cover as a standalone is not available and so I’ve got to change the entire headlamp assembly. His explanation now was that the AFS controller is okay, else the headlamps won’t even light up.
I swallowed!
I once again asked Prem as to why this issue happened. He had no explanation but simply denied that nobody had tampered those areas and that I ought to replace the headlamp assembly. I am pretty sure they must have tried to remove the controller(s) to check on some other vehicle and in a hurry, tried to screw it back using ‘some screws’ and consequently causing the damage. This also explains why there was not fault indicated in the cluster at the time of delivery. I also did not go to the extent of opening the bonnet to check. Does Skoda or its dealer expect us to buy a VAS and run a VAS scan, open the bonnet to check if everything is in place, as well as under chassis, boot etc., at the time of delivery after service?
Having purchased the headlamp assembly from Sukesh, I am certain Skoda won’t cover this part under warranty, therefore, I can’t simply sit and break them and then ask Vinayak for replacement. What would I gain from this? We all use accessories in our cars and though the OEM cannot cover these under OEM warranty, we would expect the service staff to keep their hands off these equipment during their routine services.
I also have no intention of defaming Skoda or Vinayak Skoda (dealer) as I’ve so far been quite happy and have reported the positives on team-bhp.
The sad part is that they even charged me for these examinations in the workshop around INR 600/-, which still mentions the AFS controller to be faulty - so whom should I now even trust?
Replacing the headlamp units would cost me a whopping 65K!
I’m now left wondering what to do.
Skoda, if you’re reading this post (I’m sure you are, for I know your dealer does): I was dissatisfied with Tafe access so you directed me to Vinayak. Now that I’ve had issues with Vinayak, where should I head to, for future services? To some other dealer in the nearby states? For I cannot be sure the future damages/tampering this dealer may cause! Or does Skoda India expect me to learn how to repair and service the skoda? If yes, please help me get enrolled in such a training center.
Vinayak Skoda also does not allow you to stand near your vehicle while its being serviced, hence there’s no way one can be sure of what’s happening to your vehicle, neither do they take full responsibility when something goes wrong. How pathetic! A workshop normally has a visitors lounge with a large window through which one can see their car being serviced/repaired. So what is the service center gaining without such a provision or by not allowing one to at least be near their car while being repaired or serviced?
I do recall visiting Nandi Toyota to service both my Innova & Fortuner. The first thing I’d noticed is the proper order and process oriented staff. If there’s an escalation to Toyota, the dealer would have called me several times and ensure my issues are solved to my satisfaction. The engineers / technicians are also well qualified and knowledgeable and above all, most of them speak pretty good english. They don’t tamper any accessories, if at all they need to check on something, the customer is informed well in advance on what is being done and the impact.
Skoda and your dealers - when will you grow up? Skoda, if you cannot ensure your customers get the best and reliable service, there is no point in selling these cars in India.
Here are the pics and a video. The video shows the AFS initializing, though it still throws up the error on the maxidot.
I'm even suspecting the oil change. Despite having replaced the oil completely (according to the dealer), the oil is still black and the quantity is at 50% at most. The manual mentions it should be at 100% of level A.
Here's the video of the AFS:
Here's the VCDS Scan of the Xenon Range:
Address 55: Xenon Range Labels: 5M0-907-357-V2.lbl
Part No SW: 5M0 907 357 C HW: 5M0 907 357 C
Component: AFS-Steuergeraet 0148
Revision: 00H04000 Serial number:
Coding: 1507610
Shop #: WSC 62658 626 45725
VCID: 346CCFB157B11BBE4FF-8061
Subsystem 1 - Part No: 7L6 941 329 B
Component: AFS-Lst.-Modul l 0005
Coding: 00000023
Subsystem 2 - Part No: 7L6 941 329 B
Component: AFS-Lst.-Modul r 0004
Coding: 00000023
1 Fault Found:
02234 - Right Headlight Power Output Stage (J668)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 14
Reset counter: 108
Mileage: 29858 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2021.14.14
Time: 14:20:05
Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 12.21 V
Speed: 0.0 km/h
ABS 1