Please do not regard this rather urgent warning as a whinge. We certainly don't want Skoda having the reputation of Toyota with regard to dealing with potentially dangerous faults.

We have had a number of our contributors reporting Skoda are replacing headlight computer controls because of the light failure indicator coming on intermittently and it seems it is being treated as a false alert.

When I dropped into our local Skoda dealer they kindly did an immediate check on our lighting system and ordered the necessary parts that are due to be fitted on 21st April.

On this visit I reported a serious problem of intermittent and sudden close dipping of headlights that could not be traced on this inspection. We agreed it would be a question of luck if fault were found if we left the car overnight for on the road testing to simulate and diagnose the problem.

Is it possible the light failure indicator coming on intermittently is not a false alert but suggesting a potentially serious fault?

We leave our lights set on automatic.

Two days ago at night I had the light failure indicator come on again after a week of having a no fault situation and it cleared the following morning.

Tonight the light failure indicator was not on.

On dipped headlights I was coming off a dual carriageway slowing down to about 50 mph and could see the curve of the slip road clearly ahead. Suddenly for no apparant reason the dipped beam dropped to cover only two to three car lengths ahead. Knowing the now unlit road ahead included quite a sharp curve I immediately applied quite firm breaking. I am not sure whether the longer dipped beam was restored or I selected main beam as I braked. For a stranger to the area this incident could have had serious consequences as there is a high drop from the slip road to the valley below. This is about the third worrying incident I have had in a relatively low mileage.

From time to time driving along on either main or dipped beam the system seems to go through a dance procedure to decide what the beam height should be - it all seems a little unstable and you can end up with a short very very bright patch of only two to three car lengths in front of you.

To what extent do the headlights have to be adjusted by the dealer and to what extent is everything controlled by internal computers.

There seem to me to be other indicators that things are wrong and these issues have been mentioned in other threads:-

a) dazzling other oncoming drivers - some mentioned this could be that the oncoming drivers have dirty windscreens but it could also be due to the headlights being set too high. If I remember correctly the main beam Xenon beams of the L&K Octavia and Fabia vRs and Superb had a very long distance focus point and did not so to speak fizzle out. No flashing headlights from oncoming drivers for any of these cars when they were on dipped beam.

b)have to drive on headlights at night to assure oncoming drivers you are dipping your headlights. If you drive on dipped beam you will get constant flashes.

c) this evening following well behind a saloon on an unlit road the driver was obviously worried by our dipped headlights as he was shielding his rear view mirror.

d) the dipped headlights could be too high as fairly high roadsigns to the side of the road are brightly illuminated.

Safety Recalls are just that......incidents where safety is involved.

The Yeti light problem is not a safety issue as the lights still work, just not properly in auto mode. Inconvenient maybe, but nothing more than that.

Remember that the lights on a Yeti are slightly higher than a normal cars, so yes they will "shine" in the mirror of the car in front, but then so will mine in the Freelander, and probably every other 4x4/SUV on the market. Not a lot you can do about it, other than pulling back slightly.

Many of your "complaints" have been covered in threads in the past, and a lot of them are from the "perceived" notion by other drivers that your HID lights are on main beam, because of their increased light output, when in fact they are not. I used to get the same idea if approached by a new Range Rover, but now I know better.

It appears that if you don't put the Yeti HID lights into auto mode that most of these "problems" don't appear, therefore isn't the answer obvious....until Skoda get a final "fix" don't use auto mode, but actually use the switch.

Many of your "complaints" have been covered in threads in the past, and a lot of them are from the "perceived" notion by other drivers that your HID lights are on main beam, because of their increased light output, when in fact they are not. I used to get the same idea if approached by a new Range Rover, but now I know better.

It appears that if you don't put the Yeti HID lights into auto mode that most of these "problems" don't appear, therefore isn't the answer obvious....until Skoda get a final "fix" don't use auto mode, but actually use the switch.

Regarding bright lights and being flashed by other drivers, I have Xenon headlights on my Passat and have become used to flashing from other drivers who think I'm on high beam. I don't think I'm getting any more of this when driving my Yeti. I either ignore this or "burn" them with a quick touch of high beam.

Interestingly, I heard the tail end of an item on Radio 4 earlier in the week which seemed to be a complaint from people living in country areas who dislike super bright xenon lights on narrow country roads.

I seem to recall when I took my driving test many years ago that there were TV safety adverts regarding oncoming lights and advising drivers to look away. I think this is still good advice.

John

Regarding bright lights and being flashed by other drivers, I have Xenon headlights on my Passat and have become used to flashing from other drivers who think I'm on high beam. I don't think I'm getting any more of this when driving my Yeti. I either ignore this or "burn" them with a quick touch of high beam.

Interestingly, I heard the tail end of an item on Radio 4 earlier in the week which seemed to be a complaint from people living in country areas who dislike super bright xenon lights on narrow country roads.

I seem to recall when I took my driving test many years ago that there were TV safety adverts regarding oncoming lights and advising drivers to look away. I think this is still good advice.

John

I won't say I told you so!!!! Even Radio 4 agrees with my dislike of xenons!!! (Incidentally my views were not sought by Radio 4 - probably living too far North for their liking)

On the point regarding oncoming lights, I too was taught to concentrate on the road edge or verge, which would be well lit by my own dipped lights, until the oncoming car has passed. It, obviously, provides a driving line to steer to while the "blinding" effect of badly adjusted or non dipped headlights passes.

And before all you out there reach for your keyboards to criticise me for not looking at the road ahead - remember that oncoming "blinding" headlights do just that. The iris closes to protect the eye and any "night vision" is momentarily destroyed. So the poor old cyclist (often without any lights - arn't batteries expensive these days!) dosn't stand a chance either way.

So "Dip don't Dazzle".

Skoda will gather data on the occurences of a problem, work on a fix for it and try to implement the fix for the identified affected vehicles on a scheduled workshop visit, so no formal safety recall. When the Fabia I automatic came out, there were instances where some of them cut out during light rain. The fault was traced to the engine ECU picking up interference from the intermittent wipers, the dealers were instructed to replace the ECU, only in the event of a customer complaint, no safety recall there. In this respect Skoda are no different to other manufacturers in implementing recalls, they only do it when absolutely necessary, as it costs them money.

Personally, I treat the light switch as a light switch and switch the lights on when I consider the conditions necessitate it. My lights therefore work just fine and dandy.

If I were to start the engine with the lights in 'Auto' then one light may sometimes fail to ignite. Next time the car is in at Allams for a service then they'll upgrade the controllers and that potential fault will be cured.

What did we do before bulb failure indicator problems and automatic light switches? How did we ever survive the night....

Please do not regard this rather urgent warning as a whinge. We certainly don't want Skoda having the reputation of Toyota with regard to dealing with potentially dangerous faults.

We have had a number of our contributors reporting Skoda are replacing headlight computer controls because of the light failure indicator coming on intermittently and it seems it is being treated as a false alert.

When I dropped into our local Skoda dealer they kindly did an immediate check on our lighting system and ordered the necessary parts that are due to be fitted on 21st April.

On this visit I reported a serious problem of intermittent and sudden close dipping of headlights that could not be traced on this inspection. We agreed it would be a question of luck if fault were found if we left the car overnight for on the road testing to simulate and diagnose the problem.

Is it possible the light failure indicator coming on intermittently is not a false alert but suggesting a potentially serious fault?

We leave our lights set on automatic.

Two days ago at night I had the light failure indicator come on again after a week of having a no fault situation and it cleared the following morning.

Tonight the light failure indicator was not on.

On dipped headlights I was coming off a dual carriageway slowing down to about 50 mph and could see the curve of the slip road clearly ahead. Suddenly for no apparant reason the dipped beam dropped to cover only two to three car lengths ahead. Knowing the now unlit road ahead included quite a sharp curve I immediately applied quite firm breaking. I am not sure whether the longer dipped beam was restored or I selected main beam as I braked. For a stranger to the area this incident could have had serious consequences as there is a high drop from the slip road to the valley below. This is about the third worrying incident I have had in a relatively low mileage.

From time to time driving along on either main or dipped beam the system seems to go through a dance procedure to decide what the beam height should be - it all seems a little unstable and you can end up with a short very very bright patch of only two to three car lengths in front of you.

To what extent do the headlights have to be adjusted by the dealer and to what extent is everything controlled by internal computers.

There seem to me to be other indicators that things are wrong and these issues have been mentioned in other threads:-

a) dazzling other oncoming drivers - some mentioned this could be that the oncoming drivers have dirty windscreens but it could also be due to the headlights being set too high. If I remember correctly the main beam Xenon beams of the L&K Octavia and Fabia vRs and Superb had a very long distance focus point and did not so to speak fizzle out. No flashing headlights from oncoming drivers for any of these cars when they were on dipped beam.

b)have to drive on headlights at night to assure oncoming drivers you are dipping your headlights. If you drive on dipped beam you will get constant flashes.

c) this evening following well behind a saloon on an unlit road the driver was obviously worried by our dipped headlights as he was shielding his rear view mirror.

d) the dipped headlights could be too high as fairly high roadsigns to the side of the road are brightly illuminated.

Where is the safety issue in having to manually turn the lights on to avoid the issue? We have done it for years without the use of these 'auto' functions previously.

In regards to the dazzling by your lights - I'd ensure they are set up correctly. I think this should be done at PDI still but am not 100% sure.

In regards to the dazzling by your lights - I'd ensure they are set up correctly. I think this should be done at PDI still but am not 100% sure.

And check the travel mode settings for the headlights

Hi,

from what I've read I think if you had a failure of the headlight range control or the AFS system a warning light “light failure”should come up on the 'Maxidot.

The range takes a signal from the vehicle level sensor, which depending on date of manufacture could be on the front left or rear left suspension assembly I believe. This would be my first port of call for fault diagnostics as it's exposed to a 'hostile environment'

TP

Hi,

from what I've read I think if you had a failure of the headlight range control or the AFS system a warning light “light failureâ€should come up on the 'Maxidot.

The range takes a signal from the vehicle level sensor, which depending on date of manufacture could be on the front left or rear left suspension assembly I believe. This would be my first port of call for fault diagnostics as it's exposed to a 'hostile environment'

TP

Thanks TP - we had to look up the manual on the first day as the bulb failure warning light came on the drive back from the dealer after collection! If we recall correctly there was a supplementary display on the maxidot advising of bulb failure but on checking when reaching home all lights seemed to be working OK. That's the only time we may have had supplementary information displayed on the 'Maxidot'.

If, as suggested, the problems only happen when the master switch is in the automatic position then all dealers should be aware of the issue and inform customers not to use the auto switch until the modified parts are fitted behind the headlights. My local dealer was unable to confirm that the sudden cut off problem would be rectified by the computer/software modifications.

I suspect the close (two to three car length) dipped position throwing a very bright light on the ground immediately in front of the car may be the auto tunnel lighting facility. In fact at night this pool of light is so dazzling to the Yeti driver as to impair vision ahead.

If an automatic lighting control is provided then it should work safely and efficiently and cars have progressed! Pah! Automatic chokes - real drivers do not need this safety feature and can pull the manual knob

I am using the knuckles of one hand representing the headlight level of a high 4WD and the fingers the angle of the focussed light beam. The fingers of the other the eyeline of the driver of an approaching vehicle. The focussed normal main beam position of any headlight will blind the oncoming driver and so traditionally we have the dipped position that points and focusses the beam much closer.

If indeed the "sheet" of downward projected Xenon lights is dazzling too many oncoming drivers in country areas could there be a safety case for reducing power on standard roads when oncoming vehicle headlights are detected?

Hi again,

if I understand your posts correctly I think you are describing to different potential light issues;

1. the well publicised bulb out warning with xenon lights, often associated but not strictly related to the Auto position (some owners without auto-lights but have xenon have had the same problem).

2. the auto levelling getting confused resulting in a sudden lowering of the beam

If this is the case then the fix for 1. may not resolve 2.

Regards,

TP

I had the same issue with the failing headlight. I stopped using the Auto function and used the light switch in the old fashioned way, on and off. My lights did not fail for about two months.

When the new controllers arrived at my dealer, they collectet my monster, changed the controllers and gave my pride and joys a nice wash. The car was back within the day. My lights are back on auto and have not missed a beat since. I think that is a great service.

Try using manual and see if they still fail...

Edited 15 April, 201016 yr by Ray_Green

Good morning Y4YETI,

I can report that our Yeti, which we collected on 1st March 2010, has had no light issues or light faults at all.

We have the lights on auto and only use manual controls for high beam.

It would appear therefore that the problem was sorted on later production models than yours...

or has anyone with a later Yeti had any light problems?

best wishes

Lady Penelope

Hi again,

if I understand your posts correctly I think you are describing to different potential light issues;

1. the well publicised bulb out warning with xenon lights, often associated but not strictly related to the Auto position (some owners without auto-lights but have xenon have had the same problem).

2. the auto levelling getting confused resulting in a sudden lowering of the beam

If this is the case then the fix for 1. may not resolve 2.

Regards,

TP

Thanks again - this is very helpful.

Agree a false bulb warning is not a serious safety issue.

No maxidot warning suggesting failures of the auto levelling system. Any suggestions on how the autolevelling is controlled? Is failure here a dealer adjustment or is it potentially another part needing replacement. You mentioned in an earlier post the location sensor for the range but perhaps there is also a sensor for the gradient or turn?

You mentioned in an earlier post the location sensor for the range but perhaps there is also a sensor for the gradient or turn?

Yeti's built before WK45/09 have the following control units and sensors associated with level & range;

Onboard supply control unit (in the dash possibly left side)

Control unit for cornering light and headlight range control (in the centre console of the dash)

Rear left (suspension mounted) level sensor G76

Front left (suspension mounted) level sensor G78

From WK45/09 the front level sensor is no longer fitted.

If I remember correctly the lights should go to a default position in system failure mode.

Regards,

TP

That man “The Plumber” is very impressive. No I’m not extracting the urine

<snip>

If I were to start the engine with the lights in 'Auto' then one light may sometimes fail to ignite. Next time the car is in at Allams for a service then they'll upgrade the controllers and that potential fault will be cured.

<snip>

Snap!!!!!!

That happened last night to me too but after switching on and off the faulty headlamp functioned again even on auto setting.

Wonder if some of the headlamp flashing could be happening when one light is out and oncoming drivers are giving a friendly advice rather than complaining about dazzle. Shows how good the Xenon's are if just one gives good lighting ahead!

However the really serious issue is the total loss of normal main and dipped beam and only having an intensely illuminated area in front of the car for about 3/4 car lengths ahead.

As The Plumber suggested it is strange these things are happening by just a bulb failure warning light and without further detail on the maxidot. We are therefore tending to look to false alerts rather than there being something seriously wrong.

I suggest it is a dangerous situation when headlamps are likely to fail at any time and it could give rise to a fatal accident.

Let's hope it does not happen but ambulance chasers would make mincemeat of Skoda for distributing cars with such a serious fault and failing to alert customers to the issue. I have only found out about this through Briskoda.

Don't forget the insurance ramifications of customers experiencing delays in the supply of parts or service availability to have them fitted.

Okay, let's not try and turn this into another attempt at Euro-law v nasty bad Skoda people who forced you into buying one of their terribly awful unfiit for the road vehicles...

I have had the light problem 3 times in a few miles under 5000. Each time the cause was my fault because I failed in my YETI shut-down checks and left the light control switch in the 'Auto' position and then failed on my YETI pre-start checks and didn't notice the errant switch position.

Result was that one headlight came on as advertised and one didn't. I was fully aware of this before engaging first gear and taking to the Queen's highway due to the non-standard pattern illumination of the headlights. The headlight bulb failure alert came up, again as advertised as well. Switching off the lights and then turning them back on cured the one-eyed appearance, switching the mighty CR170 motor off and back on again extinguish the alert and warning light.

On none of my 3 occasions did anyone die or even feel the slightest bit queasy.

Bulbs fail all the time. They do that in cars, boats, aeroplanes and even in the house. It isn't the end of the world and is not, in my humble opinion a serious fault. No one here has had a sudden death-defying or -causing bulb failure. They occur on start up when relying on an automatic system - if it's that much of a problem, try moving the right hand to the headlight switch and operate them manually...

For goodness sake, what did you do before you had Xenons and no warning lights?

Didn't get an elegance spec as don't like xenons and leather.

Will Yeti turn up here soon? I hope not.

My link

Didn't get an elegance spec as don't like xenons and leather.

Will Yeti turn up here soon? I hope not.

My link

"Blinded Bi Xenon" If only I had thought of that website! I too would love headlights that would illuminate the road ahead like United's ground on a Cup Tie BUT Xenons will only be the answer when the boffins design lens systems to control the glare properly.

My halogens, even with enhanced bulbs fitted, have a very tight cut off on dipped beam so, provided they are adjusted properly, I will offend no one. (except - of course - Elegance owners)

I have had the light problem 3 times in a few miles under 5000. Each time the cause was my fault because I failed in my YETI shut-down checks and left the light control switch in the 'Auto' position and then failed on my YETI pre-start checks and didn't notice the errant switch position.

Bet you don't do that in your aeroplane!!

Bet you don't do that in your aeroplane!!

:no: :'(

Didn't get an elegance spec as don't like xenons and leather.

Will Yeti turn up here soon? I hope not.

My link

My initial perusal indicated that most of the culprits would seem to be high 4x4 / SUV / MPV type vehicles...

so my initial conclusion is...Is this not really a height not a light issue.

ie... even without xenons these culprits would still be guilty as charged.

<snip>

I have had the light problem 3 times in a few miles under 5000. Each time the cause was my fault because I failed in my YETI shut-down checks and left the light control switch in the 'Auto' position and then failed on my YETI pre-start checks and didn't notice the errant switch position.

<snip>

My pre-flight check manual does not stipulate the autopilot (lighting master switch) must be off before starting the engine!!!!

It is certainly an unsatisfactory situation if any position of the lighting master switch results in circumstances that might cause a crash.

Three times for you in under 5000 miles and similarly for me in 600 miles would suggest the statistical chances of a serious accident are quite high.

If it's a known issue then there should be a recall, it doesn't have to be a question of safety.