Bizzy

About one month ago I was driving through Scotland and my 1.9TDI electrics failed. Lots of dash lights came on, power steering went, etc. Turned ignition off. Completely dead when I tried to turn on again. Breakdown garage tested the battery but it seemed to be charging OK. So they suspected an intermittent alternator fault, replaced it and I continued on my journey. About four days later the electrics failed again in England. Went to nearest Skoda dealer. Again, they weren't sure but replaced the battery. I continued on my journey.

Today the same problem returned. Dead Fabia. My local garage man put another battery in and noticed that my battery light does not come on at all when the ignition is turned. All the other lights come on OK. He thinks that this could be the problem.

Any opinions would be much appreciated. If this is so, how do I fix it ?

tdirob

I had a similar problem last year and it turned out it was a damaged wire and not the alternator at fault (I changed the alternator!)

Have a look at this thread which should give you some more info on it. If it turns out not to be the DMF wire, it might be worth sending a PM to Wardy as I know he had an electrical faults on his Ibiza and it could be the same thing...

HTH

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Golf GT TDI - Standard (at the minute)

kwacka

One side of the charging light is supplied with 12v from the ignition switch, the other side earths via the (stationary) alternator. When the engine starts the alternator earth becomes 12+v, so that the light has an equal voltage both sides and goes out. It sounds like you have an intermittent major power supply fault which I cannot see would be attributable to either a battery or alternator failing. A catastrophic battery failure could do it, but the alternator is not even required to run the electrics, merely to charge the battery. It sounds like the 'technicians' that have attempted a fix so far are stabbing in the dark, albeit it is difficult to identify an intermittent fault. I'm sure some of the Skoda techs may be able to give a pointer of known power supply problem areas. I think this is prolly a loose or corroded connection somewhere that will be an easy fix WHEN you find it.

Bizzy

Thanks for the suggestions so far. My local mechanic is going to explore behind the dash lights tomorrow. I'm not sure that he will succeed.

Anyone else recognise these symptoms or suggest a remedy ?

viewer

Following from Kwacka, There should be a diode near the alternator and hence connection. Has it corroded/come loose? Unlikely to be at dashboard end. More likely at exposed alternator end. Common problem on diesel Fiestas - get knocked when changing belts.

Bizzy

I read the thread about the blue DFM wire. If the wire was broken or detached, would this cause the battery light to be off ?

viewer

Yes

tdirob

It can be quite difficult to spot. the wire on mine had broken right next to a connector and looked to be fine on first inspection..

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Golf GT TDI - Standard (at the minute)

Bizzy

At last ! I told my mechanic to check the infamous blue wire. Today he phoned to confirm that it was broken. All fixed now.

Airbag light on now but this happened when I changed the alternator - just need reset.

A BIG thanks to all who posted replies.

Ain't Briskoda and the internet cool ?

mannyo

Excellent, now all you need to do is find out what is draining the battery.

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Manny
2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi
my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk

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tdirob

Brilliant news Bizzy, glad its sorted now.

I know what you mean about Briskoda, without this site I would have spent hundreds on trying to sort out this problem.

Mannyo, I think the battery should be ok now the wire's fixed. The broken wire would have stopped the alternator charging the battery and so there would have been a constant drain on the battery when driving. (I think, I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will come along and put me right if I'm wrong)

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Golf GT TDI - Standard (at the minute)

Bizzy

Regarding resetting my airbag light. I might have a go at this myself.

Does anyone know if the shareware version of Ross Vag-Com would allow me to reset the airbag light or do I need to buy the full licence ?

auntiewiv

I too had the No battery lamp problem. £120 quoted for skoda to do diagnostics check.

20 minutes on Briskoda to find solution. Instructions issued to local garage. Job done. Thanks Briskoda - your the .........

rum4mo

I think the deal is that at lowish revs the alternator needs this excitation current that the blue wire provides, if you end up running with higher revs for a long period then the battery will get charged as the alternator will effectively be "self exciting" .