[aditbelw]

So it happened again last week. (Please read the above post). While driving around in the city, the temperature & fuel gauge needle lights went kaput. Came back home late night & as I was parking the car, saw the needle lights are lit again. Also, noticed the front ashtray light is also not functioning, which also lights up the under gear lever console.

Attaching a picture of the instrument cluster, so it can be easily interpreted as to what I am talking about..

Anyone faced this kind of an issue? What could be the problem?

Thanks!

[ajmat]

On my way to work. Switched off car at lights in Domlur.

Restarted -no response from starter motor. BMTC bus two inches from my rear bumper, released handbrake and let it roll and it fired up in milleseconds from a rolling push start.

Got to work, switched off, switched on ....nothing!

Thought of pushing the car in the evening was not appealing.

Rang Vinayak's "emergency" hotline

Explained problem and fact that starter motor solenoid is kaput.

"Saar, starter motor needs overhauling, please caaaall service number and book for driver"

Errrm, I thought the emergency hotline would take car of the problem and deploy someone since i gave an accurate description

Looked like I had two options

1: Book a service slot + driver which would take a day, means i would need to push the car to start, go home, empty car, wait for driver who will not be on time

or

2: Book service slot and the usual (1+1+1)hour X2 routine of fetching /drop of car + the push me pull you nonsense.

Solenoid issue? I consulted Briskoda who advised me to use a special tool as an interim measure. I happened to have one in the boot.

A free slot appeared. so I went to the car park, found the special tool.....a hammer, thumped the starter motor, around the solenoid, and it worked.

Looks like the starter motor needs to be cleaned out, it is near the clutch so a lot of muck screws the contacts.

Will wait for next service to sort out. Can't be bothered to drive all the way to KR puram for each issue

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by ajmat

found the special tool.....a hammer, thumped the starter motor, around the solenoid, and it worked.

Looks like the starter motor needs to be cleaned out, it is nera the clutch so a lot of muck screws the contacts.

Will wait for next service to sort out. Can't be bothered to drive all the way to KR puram for each issue

Awesome.

So what became of it finally?
Are you still on the same starter motor (just got it cleaned from service guys)? Waiting for the details.

BTW, my friend's Octy TPI threw "check engine" light and started vibrating. Was towed away and they disgnosed it to ignition coil. Do you know how much they cost and what should we worry about around this? The car has done 55K.

This thread is a moral booster for Skoda owners!
Cheers!

[dipen]

For all the issues that Ajmat has shared in this thread, had it been someone else who is not very mechanically or electronically inclined towards the car, he would surely have spend a couple of lakhs on the maintenance bits.

I would attribute all of this to lack of testing in India conditions in addition to the car originally being designed for European markets. This is where the Japs excel. I remember yeti mentioning that he hadn't changed the oil in 4 years in his Omni and still the car never broke down.

Most of the issues like dirt accumulation, sensor failures, mechatronics reported in other threads are simply a design issue which has either not been tested adequately or too difficult for the company to diagnose and fix the design or change it.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

Awesome.

So what became of it finally?
Are you still on the same starter motor (just got it cleaned from service guys)? Waiting for the details.

Cheers!

Thought I would update now crossed 57000 km today. In August, the Octy was about to overheat when climbing the Segur ghats. It was fine, a couple of years earlier in summer. I did the same route over the next few days in an Innova loaded up and also an old Corolla - no such issues

Returned to back to Bangalore and it was found one of the cooling fans was erratic. It was okay for normal commuting but not for more extreme use. I deferred for a while. Meanwhile the starter motor would not respond to the hammer.

Rang dealer, post divali, they would not send someone due to lack of staff. I booked car in a week later. It pushed started barely within half a foot despite not being used for 7 days.

I got the fan replaced for around Rs 10000. Starter motor overhaul was around Rs 8000. Could not find a Bosch auto electric centre. Was forced to get this done at dealer only to find that the starter motor was sent to Lucas - so please note this!

Over the past week, I completed a gruelling trip to Kerala. Went via Calicut on extremely bad roads and 12 hours continuous drivng and the car did not miss a beat. Came back on the normal route and it was fine except for the road noise from the Yoko's.

Looks like the cooling fan did the trick. Member V!p3r mentioned to me that most of the vRS issues are due to the under bonnet heat generated in our extreme conditions. Must add that this time my wife never complained about the AC

[anandpadhye]

Originally Posted by ajmat

I got the fan replaced for around Rs 10000. Starter motor overhaul was around Rs 8000. Could not find a Bosch auto electric centre. Was forced to get this done at dealer only to find that the starter motor was sent to Lucas - so please note this!

Oh no...you too have fallen...
It's even more frustrating to read all fantastic things posted about UK Skoda dealers - their capable manpower, helpful approach, etc.
Yesterday I spent whole day at Europa Auto (a pathetic skoda dealer) in Pune to get my reverse gear sensor replaced under warranty. Reached at 9:15 AM (mine was the first car for the day). They did nothing until 3 PM, then 4 techs went around the shop floor searching for the laptop that had the scanning software installed, then another half an hour to figure out the engine type for the Tsi and then another 1 hour to find the sensor (it's inside the LHS B pillar) and finally to confirm that they did not have the part. They charged me for the labor - inspite of being in warranty. Had to pay else there was no way to get the car out as it was already dark and no staff would co-operate...

Coming back to Octy vRS - just can not help but think why water pump, igntion coils, starter motor and radiator fan should die at 65/70k KM, when my Hyundai Tucson is going on and on and on beyond 1 lakh KM (and so would have my NHC which I sold after 75k KM....). My friend's Octy TPi is gathering dust at Asset Auto - waiting for the ignition coils to arrive!

It's high time a parallel service n/w is established and the skoda/vw/audi nexus is broken...

[ajmat]

Yes, it makes you wonder, as for your friends TPi - I merely ordered the coil packs directly and they came within days from the UK

[anandpadhye]

Yes, I had read that.
BTW, dealer has quoted around Rs. 10,000 for 4 spark plugs and 4 coils.

[ajmat]

It went for its annual service last week. Thanks to the Volvo, my commuting has come done drastically.

Service bill came to 14000. This included rear suspension bushes being replaced.

The left indicator stopped working. Replaced the relay but no joy. It needs a new stalk, on order. I would normally buy it from the UK but I dare not mess with removing the wheel + airbag etc.

The rear hatch struts have failed and you realise how heavy it is. Dealer quoted me Rs 7000+ fitting for the pair. A bit of research found that it only requires a screwdriver to replace and I can get a pair for under Rs 3000 in the UK. Comes to Rs 4500 if couriered. Fortunately, a cousin of mine will hand carry it in next week.

[v&v]

Originally Posted by ajmat

It went for its annual service last week. Thanks to the Volvo, my commuting has come done drastically.

Service bill came to 14000. This included rear suspension bushes being replaced.

The left indicator stopped working. Replaced the relay but no joy. It needs a new stalk, on order. I would normally buy it from the UK but I dare not mess with removing the wheel + airbag etc.

The rear hatch struts have failed and you realise how heavy it is. Dealer quoted me Rs 7000+ fitting for the pair. A bit of research found that it only requires a screwdriver to replace and I can get a pair for under Rs 3000 in the UK. Comes to Rs 4500 if couriered. Fortunately, a cousin of mine will hand carry it in next week.

Even the struts of my vRs too failed recently. Didn't get time to change yet but the cost mentioned is pretty high, i was quoted by a local shop here for 1k only. Will reconfirm again with him.

[AirWind]

Of late, i heard an occasional "kirrrrrr" after firing up, frequently during cold starts, but the car started in a single crank without any fuss. I guessed it was the starting motor, Briskoda suggested a problem with the coil rewind timing and a simple service should resolve.

Took the wise man(Ajmat)'s advise...

Originally Posted by ajmat

Starter motor overhaul was around Rs 8000. Could not find a Bosch auto electric centre. Was forced to get this done at dealer only to find that the starter motor was sent to Lucas - so please note this!

Rang Lucas dealer (Madras Auto, Hosur Rd.,), re-directed to MY Batteries (Bommanahalli, Pillar 16, Hosur Rd.,) an authorised dealer/service for Bosch/Lucas).

Went there today, service center resembled a local mechanic shop, I was skeptical at first, but the technicians (Shabir) were knowledgeable and courteous, they attended to me promptly and let me in as a spectator as they worked. Apparently TAFE (Skoda dealer) is their customer. They also checked the acid levels in my battery free-of-charge.

Service took 4 hrs and costed Rs. 1,600 (replaced Rs. 1,200 OE brush box, 370 for labour and 30 bucks for tender coconuts to cool the sweating technicians), restarted the car 5 times since then, didnt hear the "kirrrr" so far, hopefully never... touchwood!

I'd strongly recommend them to any one having troubles with their starter motors.

[F150]

Woah, awesome thread. You seem to have a solution to all the problems your skoda throws at you. So technical.

You replaced the coil packs and cleaned the throttle body on your own.

Bow down smiley is missing in the team bhp smileys else I would have used it.

Loved the specialised tool = Hammer

Would you mind preparing a guide for us lesser mortals, i may never own a VRS but atleast i will get to know this technical stuff.

How do you order parts from UK directly ? Is it from SKODA UK dealers or thru some website ? what is the procedure for customs clearance and other stuff ?

What is total cost of maintenance till date ? Any excel sheet ?

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by F150

How do you order parts from UK directly ? Is it from SKODA UK dealers or thru some website ? what is the procedure for customs clearance and other stuff ?

Please read on -

Originally Posted by ajmat

The left indicator stopped working. Replaced the relay but no joy. It needs a new stalk, on order. I would normally buy it from the UK but I dare not mess with removing the wheel + airbag etc.

A month later, I followed up, it is coming saar.....
Two weeks later, I followed up again, it has not come saar....

To interpret - I could not be bothered to order it. When you become a pest and bug me in person, I will order it!!!

I log onto ebay.co.uk - find the part for Rs 1500, order it to a UK address and it gets posted to me in 5 days. I call Vinayak again

"We don't fit outside parts saar"

"You could not get me the part"

"Whatever saar, we do not fit outside part!"

Deep sigh!!!

Here I am, a man with two stalks, lurking around wondering what to do. I had developed an extra cautious approach to turning left without signalling. I first decided to check the indicator circuits first.

Checked the relay - This is the hazard warning light switch and its connections. I prised it out, the dealer has replaced it. At least thats what is said on the bill, but alas the markings on it and the grime told me that Vinayak have upgraded themselves from a dealership to a stealership. More on this coming up shortly in the TAFE Vs Vinayak dealership thread.

I did some research on the net, bit the bullet, swallowed my bile and decided, yes, I'm going to do it - I'm going to..

1: Replace the indicator switch myself - airbag, steering, the works
2: Buy a Volkswagen

So lets deal with 1 first.

I needed to get an m10 socket. Procured this, took a deep breath and did started off in the basement of my mothers apartment with a powerful head torch.

First thing I did was disconnect the battery.
Next was the most scariest part of the job - removing the airbag. Articles - The Skoda Forum and Community provided comprehensive instructions
SKODA-Airbag-0573.pdf

This involved poking 4 holes in the back of the steering with a screwdriver to leverage the clips attaching the airbag assembly. This took a while, toggling the screwdriver and trying to feel the clips. It felt like a combination of a nervous bridegroom who has become a trainee bomb disposal expert. This took the most time, after 40 minutes of poking, probing, leveraging, the assembly popped out. Popped out did I say....big mistake, more later!!

I removed the airbag harness main plug but the horn wire look soldered on so I then had to power on holding this baby which might explode!

I then set to work removing the steering wheel.



What you see is the clockwork mechaism which manages the wire, airbag etc. This should not be fiddled/ twisted with at any cost. It comes out and one needs to hook it somewhere near by

I then needed to remove the ignition lock and take out the housing to get to the switch assembly



I was taking pictures as I went along to remember what went where

I then removed the assembly, The wiper stalks and indicators are press fitted together, so it requires gentle but strong force to separate the two. Yes, nervous bridegroom anxieties continue.

From thence, it was a case of fitting the two assemblies and reversing my process. I did not want to test it as the airbag warning light would trigger meaning a reset.

Put steering back on, replug airbag, some clasp holding a fine wire got undone, clipped it and put eveything together.

Now was the moment of truth

I switched ignition. Airbag light switches off, phew! Switch left indicator on
tick tock tick tock - I'm motoring!!

Pack my tools, reverse and drive out and darn airbag light switches on!!!


It had been a long evening. I wake up on sunday morning and remove airbag and see the culprit. That fine wire had split when I clipped that clasp. The clasp should have never opened but it did when the airbag popped out. I consider taping it, soldering it, suicide and other alternatives but it is not the correct thing to do. I decide to seek relief on the net from another saviour of mine. SkodaParts.com - Genuine Skoda Parts and Accessories - Skoda Parts Online

I have a parts database so matched to the part number with what they had. I saw what I wanted and ordered it.



During that time, I had to contend with a car without airbags and...a horn. I avoided using the car but I had to go to electronics city for a visit which I did very carefully!! I also drove it to Sarjapur for my trip to Pahwna.

10 days later, the part arrived. This time around, I got the airbag off in a matter of minutes. Managed to unclip the original harness. Fitted the new harness and carefully assembled together.

I forgot to add that when I replaced the steering, it was slightly crooked. I corrected this. Resetted airbag warning light and i have been beeping ever since!

Moral of story - when you pop your airbag out. Make sure you hold it and unplug completely without stretching the harness.

Thankfully the car does not have ESP, it would mean some steering angle sensors to deal with

Mud in your eye - Vinayak!!

and so I bought a Volkwagen!

In the meanwhie, I noticed it was running extemely rich in the morning and the temperature needle taking longer to warm up even though days were warmer. it took 7 km to reach normal temperature.

A little bit of research showed that the temperature sender was playing up It is a known fault.



If it is a black one, it will fail. The green ones are okay. SkodaParts.com - Genuine Skoda Parts and Accessories - Skoda Parts Online sent me one within a week and I fixed it in 30 min. Remove a couple of covers, unplug, pull a clip out and replace. Most of the time was spent in removing the wiring harness which was stuck. Ensure the engine is stone cold and no coolant will even leak out.

Started it, the rorty noise and boomy exhaust due to overrich fuel vanished. Took it for a drive and it reached the normal temperature in 4 KM. Am sure mileage will improve.

[sparsh]

Nice buy ajmat, RS is really an addictive car. do you have any mods planned for your RS or you want to run this in stock condition. Wishing you many more safe miles of driving.

[ajmat]

22 June - she finally left me for her new home. The new owner really wanted her, committing to buy despite fuel price hike.

Took her for a final spin. She drove really well also a little looser both steering and suspension wise

I review the bills and did a final analysis.

Service + repairs cost me Rs 270000 over 4.5 years.

Car spent 29 days off road for various repairs

Cost/ km repair wise was rising from Rs 3/km to Rs 5/km so my decision to sell was correct

A quick back of the envelope calculation shows that I was Rs 4 lakhs richer compared to buying new. This might be narrowed down to 2 lakhs as I probably would have maintained the car a lot better than new. I paid a lot to rectify some neglect that the car suffered earlier.

She was running well when she went. I always work on the principle - leave something good for the next owner!

You can find the spreadsheet attached

skoda service costs.xlsx