Octavia vRS II ignition problem (a.k.a. the vampire skoda)

Godzilla · 01-06-2007, 16:59

Hi all,

I picked up my '06 reg vRS on 16/05/07 & immediately started to have problems. Whenever I got home form work (30 miles on the M6), the car would not start again until the engine had cooled. The RAC guy said the starter motor solenoid was faulty, so my local dealer (Autosales, Bilston) fitted a new one.

This didn't solve the problem. A second RAC chap said he had never seen this problem on a Skoda, but had seen it on Golf, Passats, Tourans, etc. It seems that if the ignition switch gets warm, the wiper arm distorts & no longer touches the contacts until it cools down! I had to get a push start to come home from work today since the car had been standing in the sun all day. I'm booked in for a new ignition switch on Monday (04/06/07), but I can't help doubting if it will do any good to replace it as the basic design is obviously flawed.

Has anyone else had this problem? Did changing the ignition switch solve it? I'm supposed to be going to the far north of Scotland in a couple of weeks & I obviously need a reliable car up there. I could get stuck miles from anywhere.

This car was to be nicknamed Darth Skoda, but Dracula seems more appropriate now as it is killed by direct sunlight!

(Really miss my ZS180 saloon at the moment - it was a far superior car).

postmanpat · 01-06-2007, 17:11

Never heard of this problem tbh. As for a Rover being a superoir car, then you must have been very lucky at some point

Welcome to Brisky btw.

**VRStu** · 01-06-2007, 23:57

I know another member who had an Octy II which had starting problems. A replacment, and IIRC modified, starter has fixed the problem.

gadgetman · 02-06-2007, 20:50

If it is starter related, I'd get it checked ASAP.

This is the cause of the Corsa fires IIRC.

Godzilla · 06-06-2007, 19:33

I've got my vRS back from Autosales & so far it seems to be working okay. (Two starts after baking in the sun & one restart after a motorway run). They even washed it, which was nice. Hopefully I can now stop worrying about whether it's actually going to start and get to enjoy the car after three weeks of frustration. I have since heard of other Octavias with the same problem.

Thanks to those who replied to my post

01-06-2007, 16:59	#1
Godzilla Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Darlaston Posts: 4 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS (2005-) Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Octavia vRS II ignition problem (a.k.a. the vampire skoda) Hi all, I picked up my '06 reg vRS on 16/05/07 & immediately started to have problems. Whenever I got home form work (30 miles on the M6), the car would not start again until the engine had cooled. The RAC guy said the starter motor solenoid was faulty, so my local dealer (Autosales, Bilston) fitted a new one. This didn't solve the problem. A second RAC chap said he had never seen this problem on a Skoda, but had seen it on Golf, Passats, Tourans, etc. It seems that if the ignition switch gets warm, the wiper arm distorts & no longer touches the contacts until it cools down! I had to get a push start to come home from work today since the car had been standing in the sun all day. I'm booked in for a new ignition switch on Monday (04/06/07), but I can't help doubting if it will do any good to replace it as the basic design is obviously flawed. Has anyone else had this problem? Did changing the ignition switch solve it? I'm supposed to be going to the far north of Scotland in a couple of weeks & I obviously need a reliable car up there. I could get stuck miles from anywhere. This car was to be nicknamed Darth Skoda, but Dracula seems more appropriate now as it is killed by direct sunlight! (Really miss my ZS180 saloon at the moment - it was a far superior car).

01-06-2007, 23:57	#3
VRStu Txt Spk Police Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 20,847 Members Car: Audi S3 Thanks: 145 Thanked 999 Times in 895 Posts	Re: Octavia vRS II ignition problem (a.k.a. the vampire skoda) I know another member who had an Octy II which had starting problems. A replacment, and IIRC modified, starter has fixed the problem. __________________ Stu Stu's Websites - http://www.fabia-vrs.com & http://www.octavia-vrs.com Stu's Car - 2008 Audi S3 - Ibis White, Black Optics Pack, Privacy Glass, Auto Bi Xenon Headlights, Rain Sensing Wipers, Bose Sound System, Ipod Prep, GSM Phone Prep, Flat Bottom Multi Function Steering Wheel, Electric Folding Mirrors, Acoustic Parking, Cruise Control, Interior Light Pack, Non Smokers Pack. SWMBO's Car - 2008 Seat LEON TDi Stylance, Black Magic, Sports Pack, Rear Parking Sensors. Something for Weekend - A Patio

02-06-2007, 20:50	#4
gadgetman Go Gadget Octy! Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3,400 Members Car: Thanks: 220 Thanked 117 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Octavia vRS II ignition problem (a.k.a. the vampire skoda) If it is starter related, I'd get it checked ASAP. This is the cause of the Corsa fires IIRC.

06-06-2007, 19:33	#5
Godzilla Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Darlaston Posts: 4 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS (2005-) Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Octavia vRS II ignition problem (a.k.a. the vampire skoda) I've got my vRS back from Autosales & so far it seems to be working okay. (Two starts after baking in the sun & one restart after a motorway run). They even washed it, which was nice. Hopefully I can now stop worrying about whether it's actually going to start and get to enjoy the car after three weeks of frustration. I have since heard of other Octavias with the same problem. Thanks to those who replied to my post

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