Team-BHP - Skoda Laura: Problems & solutions thread

Hey guys,

I had a surprising incident today in my Laura (2006/7 LnK), I had engaged the reverse gear and moved for a few mtrs in reverse, then wanted to change gears again to first and found the lever to be stuck really hard, clutch was fully pressed, but the gear lever wasn't moving at all even with a lot of force! Normally it just takes a slight nudge! Didn't want to force anything so just shut the engine / ignition and restarted the car with clutch fully depressed. only then was i able to change the gears again.

As of now everything is back to normal, but i need to know if this is a premonition to something major faulty?

Gurus please help!

^^^ Yep this could be a prior stage to something going wrong but in general when shifting into Reverse and back one reason for the gear being stuck can be too quick a change. (though that problem is much more severe in the AT). Also this can be due to the clutch plate not getting fully depressed (though it seemed to be so) check the clutch fluid level. It can also be due to a clutch cylinder issue (but if that is the case then you will see rapid degradation in 1-5 days. Lastly this could be due to the clutch going weak so if you have crossed anything over 35,000 kms this too could be a reason.

Finally if the issue does not repeat itself - dont worry. In anycase worrying is not going to solve the problem. It will be a definate issue only if the problem repeats itself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACM (Post 2688670)

Lastly this could be due to the clutch going weak so if you have crossed anything over 35,000 kms this too could be a reason.

The car has done about 55500kms... if any of the above issues exist with the car, what kind of costs should i be looking at? any estimates?

Clutch Plate + Pressure Plate + bearing - Rs. 35-50K Approx - Depending on what and where.
Clutch / Brake Fluid Loss due to to leak in pipe - Rs. 3-4K
Clutch Cylinder - Rs. 5K

Not exactly aware of prices for parts in the manual but considering the normal range of spares for the Laura it could be around what i mention above.

Am assuming the gearbox is fine - that is supposed to last the life of the car and engine.

Normally when the clutch, one experiences a drop in power and feels the car requiring to be given more acc for attaining the same speed. For the bearing one normally get quite an irritating scratching / rubbing sensation in left leg that is placed on the clutch pedal when we depress it or hold half clutch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinephraim (Post 2688612)

I don't know whether this helps, but I experienced something similar after one servicing. After replacement of diesel filter the gear refused to re-engage from reverse to forward. The mechanic told me of some lever?/cable that was near the filter that could cause certain issues like this. He adjusted the "thing" and hey pronto the problem vanished. I hope your problem is something minor as this

Quote:

Originally Posted by babhishek (Post 2681609)

hi, which model do you have?
also, do you have the feature to switch on headlights on during remote unlock locking of doors?

this feature does drain the battery, so if on please switch off, using the MID.
please check for reduced shuddering post this.

also, i hope you don't switch off the engine immediately post a long run, please try giving the engine one minute of idle, before a switch off.

ensure these two are done a few times and post back on the shuddering.
also please post battery make and model in use along with vehicle model.

Model is 2008 1.9 PD model

62000 Kms done.

I do not have the feature to switch the headlamps on with the switch.

In addition to this the problem of a shuddering start has been there for quite a while. However thereafter the problem does not remain.

I got DRL's activated in my Laura TSI during first service. I find that along with the DRL's, the rear tail lights as well as license plate lights also remain on while driving during the day. Is it supposed to be this way? I thought the tail lights would come on only when the parking lights or headlights were switched on.

Santosh, need to check on the Superb on that. Still have to activate the feature on the Laura.
I believe, the tail lights do remain on with DRL's. Logically, if the DRL's are activated on the front, they would be activated on the back too, right?

Oh, BTW the rattling of the ticket holder has all but vanished. Had taken the car for a complete cleaning at 3M, and god knows what they have done, but that plastic part no longer rattles, and neither is it loose anymore!

I got my DRLs activated and AFAIK its only in the front. The rear lights are not on during this time. I will check again and revert back though.

I can't turn off the DRLs the way its mentioned in the manual. Any solution for that?

You can use the indicator stalk to turn OFF/ ON the DRLs whenever you want. Instructions are in the manual.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat (Post 2691911)

Quote:

Originally Posted by v.anand (Post 2694496)

I got my DRLs activated and AFAIK its only in the front. The rear lights are not on during this time. I will check again and revert back though.

There are different settings. You can choose to keep rear lights + license plate lights active along with DRL or you may choose to keep only front DRLs active.

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team: Please use the "edit" button if posting within 30 minutes of the first post, instead of creating another back-to-back post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akki_5 (Post 2694497)

You can use the indicator stalk to turn OFF/ ON the DRLs whenever you want. Instructions are in the manual.

Well I have tried those- ( pull stalk towards steering wheel and hold it for 3 secs, then slide it down and hold there for 3 seconds more).. doesn't work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Kotwal (Post 2694512)

Well I have tried those- ( pull stalk towards steering wheel and hold it for 3 secs, then slide it down and hold there for 3 seconds more).. doesn't work.

Your doing it wrong, once you pull it towards you, immediately slide it down while keeping it towards you and hold it there. Do note you have to do this within some 3 seconds of turning on the ignition. Try it again and update :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234 (Post 2694516)

You were absolutely correct,-I went out just now and tried the way you advised about how to turn the DRLs off, and you know what, It Works!! Thank you mate, you ruleclap: