Flat Battery!

[Fabiete]

Hi all & Happy New Year!

 

My power steering alert light just appeared today. Guess it's going to be the same problem with yours. What are the course of action? Is it dangerous? If it is, I would go to CA and get it fixed - though it cost a BOMB!

[Peterlee]

Not much...I have bear with it for half a year. Just be careful when doing a hard turn. Steering may feel very heavy and also some wobbling. But mostly incontrol. For sure I will not recommend any friend to buy Skoda if they are selling car with part which can only last a year or 2. This is like playing lottery and on such a important thing like steering.

[Redcar]

Hi Fabiete.

Let us know CA is going to charge you?

[Redcar]

Hi Peter.

So far 3 of us having the same problem. Hi, Spotty. Do you face the same problem? Kindly let keep us informed. Peter, would you be kind enough to write to the principal if CA is going to charge Fabiete?.

[Fabiaman]

Brothers and sisters, make it 4!

 

Mine just had this problem for the past few days. Everytime the light is on, the steering willl be hard. Not sure abt Peter's comment that its wobbly as well... but it sure is hard when the light is on.

 

If I switch off the engine and turn back on, the light will most likely disappear.

 

Whats happening?

[Redcar]

HI Bros & Sis of Fabis owners. Look like it could be a common problem when the car turns one year old. So far no comments from Spotty, could you let us know? Maybe we should arrange for a meet-up and discuss further.

[Sky8807]

Fabiaman,

 

I suspect it is the electronic related defect somewhere. One sure way to find out is to plug in the engine analyser and see the result. Beside agent don't know whether the other service centre have the analysis tool.

 

Heard from friend, german car engineering, need to stick to their maintenance schedule spelt in their service mANUAL, IF NOT, many problems will surface and give more worry. Don't know how true is it. The setback is agent price $$ is high.

 

Also the power steering pump is electric. Don't let inexperienced person handle this problem, situation may get worse.

 

My views

[Spotty]

Hi,

 

Have no problems thus far with battery. Sorry for slow response - have not been accessing.

 

spotty !

[Peterlee]

Hi...both CA and Servotronic had used their VAG(?) to check b4.

Both found the fault logged but all they can do is reset the alarm.

After a few km later the fault will appear again. So reset sure don't work.

Maybe a s/ware patch or something!? Else will need to replace sensor.

Anybody replacing MUST insist for a warranty else not worth it.

Edited February 14, 2003 by Peterlee

[Sky8807]

Today call up CZ and enquire about the 30K servicing. I understand the standard package is $240 which include the changing of filters and oil. Believe the rest is checking only.

Additional parts like brake pads etc not specified in the package is not included.

 

Maybe they have re-adjusted their price. Also try to find out on the power steering light that some member experience here. Not able to gather much, but what I gather is the defect could be isolated case of low oil level or sensor related.

 

Spoke to this guy John who is friendly and patient in explaining their side of the reasoning on service package cost and spare support.

 

Skoda recommand service interval of 15K, but many owner here are not comfortable with the longer interval and want to service earlier say 10k or even 5k. Myself, I am used to 10k service interval and trying very hard to follow the 15k interval. But during this period of poor economy, maybe should give the manufacturer recommandation a try. Found out that they recommended replacement of sparkplugs is at 60K, I guess most of us,kiasu, would have replace it by now. I actually intend to replace my plug myself at 20k, already bought the spares during JTA times. Still thinking.

 

 

For info

Edited February 15, 2003 by Sky8807

[Sky8807]

I had an experience once when my car stop at the traffic junction and the water temperature warning light come ON but the temp gauge was at the centre mark which is normal to me. At that time, my car was stop at the downward gradient.

 

Anyway, continue driving and monitor the temp gauge to make sure that it does'nt goes into the red. Later after dropping my friend, stop by the side of the road, at night, and check the bonnet. After re-starting the car, the light goes off and drove home.

 

Next morning check the engine compartment again and noticed that the reservoir for the cooland was on the lowest level. top it up and fault did not appear till now. Conclusion the sensor is working and the low level was pick up when the car was incline and the senso pick up the lowest level which is far too low for safe driving.

 

Till today, was wandering why the coolant level can drop from full to low level and where did the coolant evaporate to, because my previous car coolant level don't drop so fast, it can last about 2 years of so without topping up. Maybe, the temp generated on fabia is higher and coolant level will drop faster than jap or korean car.

 

So,I think should double check the power steering fluid level and ensure it is at the full level mark to confirm that it is not triggered because of a low fluid situation.

 

For info.

[Peterlee]

The power steering fluid pump is located inside the battery compartment and not easily accessible. When last time I had to replace flat battery did try to get the mechanic to open it up to check but was not successful as the mechanic was also not familiar. Anyway, they told me to monitor the floor and see whether there is any dripping. To date don't find any oil/water stain mark so had to assume fluid still intact...unless evaporation.

Will definitely insist on my next 15k servicing that the mechanic open up to check fluid. But I had a strong feeling nothing to do with fluid as CA also did not offer this cheap solution but ask me to change the S$240 sensor.

[Sky8807]

Sometimes computer data give troubleshooting solution based on everything is working properly, not accounting that the basic fluid level is low, and suggest to check or change certain items.

 

Since the mechanic did not physically check the level is correct, then going to the next level of fault finding could end up going round the bush.

 

Fluid level drop does not necessarity means leaking onto the floor. some evaporation and fluid loss are expected after a certain period.

Edited February 16, 2003 by Sky8807

[Fabiete]

Ever since then, the fault has not re-appear ...YET!So will take the stance of wait and see if it re occurs ( then may drive straight down to CA for a check - easier to explain/diagnose if the fault is on ).

[Spotty]

Hi Sky,

 

I did my 30K servicing at Czech Auto and paid about $239. They used Mobil 50-5W oil for my car. Changed the oil filter, air pollen thingy, and air con filter and did a couple of visual checks on about 25 items. They did not change my spark plugs as they said it can last till 60K. I have not changed my spark plugs yet btw for the last 2 servicings.

 

And yes, the next servicing date is to be at 45K. I am not very comfortable too.

 

And u are right. I asked them to check the brakes and brake pads. said that will cost money. Asked them to test drive my car for that squeaky sound that i mentioned. They said they could not hear anything. SO, i am not sure if they really test drove it and checked it or not.

 

 

They also tried to get me to trade in fabia and buy the octy ambiente at a good price of $75K. But i am happy with my Fabia , still my first love.

 

for info sharing.

 

 

spotty.

[Sonnytay]

Hi spotty, if you want to change your spark plugs before the 60k servicing, try to do it yourselves instead of getting CA to do it. (Maybe one of these days when we meet up, some of the experienced hands can do it for you.)

 

I backside itchy asked CA to change my sparkplugs during my recent 45k servicing. They charged me additional $20 labour for changing the plugs. Told them I not really happy about it, since (1) I weren't told beforehand that there is add labour charge and (2) I'm already paying them labor charge for servicing, what's so difficult about changing the spark plugs which I bought from them. SE said Boss will question him blah blah, didn't want to kick up a fuss so forget it. I can understand the labor charge if I only send my car to them to just change the plugs, but after paying few hundred bucks for servicing and still want to charge additional labor?

[Spotty]

Hi Sonnytay,

 

Thanks so much for your advice. Hopefully, we do get to meet. Speaking of which, it has been a while since we all last met to chit chat.

 

Aiyoh... sometimes i do miss the JTA service guys... at least they will do first cut service/ diagnosis at no charge. For CA, i will need to ask if they are charging before letting them check anything since everything is chargeable right down to diagnosis. sigh!

 

But i must also give credit to one of their sales rep who was kind enough to use the blower to blow out all the silly leaves caught in the grooves of the car when my car got infested with ants recently. Realised there was so much leaves stucked inside which may have attracted ants to nestle in it. Absolutely grossed ! Now, no ants already.

 

 

spottyred.

[Sky8807]

Hi Spotty,

 

No worries, 15k service interval is safe, don't know your uncomfortable is too frequent or otherwise.

 

Regarding your brakes pads, they are quite thick when new, my estimate is it should last at least 3 years before it worn for normal driving. Even if you do excessive braking, I think still can last 2.5 years.

 

The squeaky sound that you heard is not abnormal. All car have the sound, some are louder that's all. When I tried to concentrate to hear it, also have. No safety implication. Brake pads won't drop out or anything like that.

 

Fabia is nice looking car and if not too fuzzy, value for money, safe and reasonably comfortable.

 

Happy driving.

sky