What's made you not grumpy but not smile either today?

[StevenRB45]

It doesn't, hence why it would be distracting...

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

What Jock posted about his car displayed a warning that apparently required action...but did not feel it necessary to specify about what.

Yup, it destroys your confidence. If what I was told at the dealership is true the triangle with exclamation mark inside - in orange, most important that because if in red it means it's really serious? - anyway, this is apparently to draw your attention to the actual light which gives you a clue as to what general area the fault lies. Without the second light you haven't a clue. (I presume the dealer diagnostic tool would identify it, at great expense for just plugging it in) Kind of says it all regarding the importance of the orange warnings though when the main dealer's advice is to just drive on and see if another light lights up - remember this car is under warranty so, presumably they will be required to fix it? - Luckily there were several witnesses to his advice. So far still no light now showing so maybe exactly what he guessed at ie. something like a poorly seated bulb?

 

[irc]

I miss the days of the big red STOP light on French cars. Clear and concise.
Of course, on the ones without temperature gauge it usually meant "you just killed your engine", and I did have a 205 where the light came on randomly for the 2 years I owned it, but... Happy days.

 

[StevenRB45]

I miss the days of the big red STOP light on French cars. Clear and concise.
Of course, on the ones without temperature gauge it usually meant "you just killed your engine", and I did have a 205 where the light came on randomly for the 2 years I owned it, but... Happy days.

I still have one of those although it's not been on yet *touch wood*

Although it's one of few modern cars to feature an analogue temperature gauge.

However in Jocks case I think the best cause of action may be to see if it buggers off or stays on.

Nowt better on a modern car than diagnosis of an intermittent electric gremlin. The car is very probably fine and there will likely be something very slightly out of kilter somewhere annoying the Canbus system but without a stored trouble code it's a needle in a hay stack.

 

[AndyRKett]

Yup, it destroys your confidence. If what I was told at the dealership is true the triangle with exclamation mark inside - in orange, most important that because if in red it means it's really serious? - anyway, this is apparently to draw your attention to the actual light which gives you a clue as to what general area the fault lies. Without the second light you haven't a clue. (I presume the dealer diagnostic tool would identify it, at great expense for just plugging it in) Kind of says it all regarding the importance of the orange warnings though when the main dealer's advice is to just drive on and see if another light lights up - remember this car is under warranty so, presumably they will be required to fix it? - Luckily there were several witnesses to his advice. So far still no light now showing so maybe exactly what he guessed at ie. something like a poorly seated bulb?

In all fairness and I know I am teaching you to suck eggs here but the dealership was right in this aspect. An orange light can be a bulb out or that you have disabled the passenger airbag it can come up for a whole host of reasons non of which are specifically dangerous or harmful to the car or the occupants.

Red lights would be something like a brake pad wear sensor, the hand brake being on or engine overheating, something which if you continue driving risks harm to you or the car.

Without the secondary warning usually displayed in the screen between the clocks, you won't know what it is for. could it be the presence of the Satnav overlapping/utilizing this screen, is just obscuring the message? if you turn the car off and on again does it display any message on start up?
It would be unusual to show absolutely nothing along side the warning, however I know with my old Punto Evo it would occasionally do just that for a bulb connection, basically the bulb would wiggle, the warning light would come on to say the bulb was out but the light come back on again before any message displayed but the warning triangle in orange would remain lit until the next start up. I would maybe just go round and reseat all the bulbs, that you can thought I suspect like many new cars it has a lot of LEDs so this will make doing so much easier with far less bulbs to look at.


as its under warranty the dealership should be able to plug in and the code will be recorded, the thing about VAG cars it they literally store codes for everything, Can you plug in your VCDS or is the car locked like some newer cars are, against accessing the OBD port

 

[StevenRB45]

I did assume the dealership had read the codes or lack thereof when it went in but going back yes, it's not been on.

Pretty much any modern car will have stacks of information available to it but it may not display 50% of it.

I know on ours it has no bulb warnings etc...but there are "silent" trouble codes eg "front left indicator open circuit" which will not trigger anything but the car knows it's got a bulb out it just doesn't pass the info on.

 

[AndyRKett]

I did assume the dealership had read the codes or lack thereof when it went in but if not worth it.

Pretty much any modern car will have stacks of information available to it but it may not display 50% of it.

I know on ours it has no bulb warnings etc...but there are "silent" trouble codes eg "front left indicator open circuit" which will not trigger anything but the car knows it's got a bulb out it just doesn't pass the info on.

I think jock said that he visited the dealership after everyone but the workshop manager had gone home who looked over the car could not see an issue and advised him to book it in to have it looked at properly/codes read. at least thats how I viewed it. I don't think they did read the codes.

VW and german cars as a general rule hold codes for literally everything, press the button to open the fuel flap one time and it doesn't open it will store a fault code. a bulb blew and was replaced 5 years ago, chances are there is still a stored fault code. that's what it is a running joke with the likes of mercedes that you plug it in to find hundreds of codes stored for every tiny glitch that the car has ever seen in its life. To diagnose you clear them and then see which ones actually come back as they are the only current issues.

 

[vexorg]

To diagnose you clear them and then see which ones actually come back as they are the only current issues.

True of every car I've had to get code off

 

[vexorg]

Of course, on the ones without temperature gauge

You can hack the system and get the temp to show on the display

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

You can hack the system and get the temp to show on the display

One, of the many things, that attracted me to the Skoda, and modern VAGs in general, is that they tend to give you individual gauges for the likes of coolant temperature and the Scala does. I can even display oil temp on the wee screen between the main dials which is handy on a motor with a turbo.

As regards "that" light. It was last Tuesday that it put on it's intermittent display. It lit up whilst driving but went away when the ignition was turned off and then, a short while later, back on again. In total it did this 3 times between us leaving our boy's house and the garage. Each time resetting it by turning the ignition of, pausing a few moments and switching back on made it turn off. The workshop foreman simply turned the ignition on, started the engine and, when no light was seen after a few minutes of running, gave the advice about just continuing to drive but if it came on again to get back in touch and they'd investigate further. No codes were searched for. The light stayed off on the way home from the garage and hasn't been seen since. The more I think about this the more I'm suspecting it may be that I very marginally overfilled it with oil. The car sits slightly nose down outside my boy's house whereas it sits slightly nose up at my house. It might just be that this difference was enough to let the oil come in contact with the level sensor while it sat outside his house and this could be what triggered the light? Anyway, the light has not reappeared since, but also we've not been out his way this week, so it's been a week now since I saw it and it's still staying off.

Andy. No fault messages displayed on start up either. VCDS? I bought mine to communicate with the old Cordoba which worked well. When I bought the Ibiza (2016) I discouvered there were quite a few modules it wouldn't communicate with due to my ancient interface but as I wasn't having any problems with the car and it still let me do simple service resets etc, I just carried on with the restricted access. I've been talking with Grant at Gendan and he tells me thinks I'll need a HEX V2 interface to talk to the Scala. The lads at my local VAG indy tell me access will be restricted though as their current tool actually interfaces not only with the car but also links to the factory at the same time and without that factory link funcionality is greatly reduced. To be honest I'm not really all that fussed because the car will go to the dealer during it's warranty period and I have the choice of AVW or Autohaus or, for slightly less technical stuff, Mackinnons - all VW specialists - I'll be 78 later this year and I'm really finding it's getting harder and a lot less fun crawling around under cars - especially in the winter. However, as my VCDS is a fully licensed version and updates are free, I may indulge myself with a new interface - 'twood be silly not to eh? if I can get a good deal from either Grant at Gendan or Ilexa down in Truro that would seal the deal. I bought my VAG-COM/VCDS from Ilexa and they've been very helpful, even mailing me a free updated disc when I bought a win 10 laptop! Have to admit my first port of call these days is Gendan though, they are just so generally helpful.

True of every car I've had to get code off

That's always my starting point when doing a service. Do an all systems scan, note down any that seem important, clear codes and drive car a few miles to see if any reappear but also to heat up the oil ready for draining.

 

[StevenRB45]

This appeared on my Facebook feed.

For those unaware of Wingrove...it started as a Citroën dealer (it's also where the C3 is from)...it now sells Citroën, Peugeot DS and..

Wonder if I'll be able to buy a Fiat off them shortly...

 

[vexorg]

For those unaware of Wingrove...it started as a Citroën dealer (it's also where the C3 is from)...it now sells Citroën, Peugeot DS and..

Many dealers now move to multiple brands, why's the big deal about htis one?

 

[StevenRB45]

More that it's very much Stellantis going Omnibrand..than anything else..there's a Fiat dealer over the road from it.

Wonder how long it has to live..

 

[vexorg]

Does it really matter, all the dealers are heading the same way with no 'experts' about a particular brand now.
Any time I've had to buy genuine parts or quiried service work then it's always a different person you talk to, very high turnover of staff.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Does it really matter, all the dealers are heading the same way with no 'experts' about a particular brand now.
Any time I've had to buy genuine parts or quiried service work then it's always a different person you talk to, very high turnover of staff.

Exactly why I like one make independents.

 

[StevenRB45]

Does it really matter, all the dealers are heading the same way with no 'experts' about a particular brand now.
Any time I've had to buy genuine parts or quiried service work then it's always a different person you talk to, very high turnover of staff.

I've spoken to the same bloke every time since we had the car...to the point I remember he's called Gill..

As in most things you get good dealers/garages and bad ones.

At least in this particular case you don't need to be an "expert" in any particular brand given the mechanicals and electricals are much the same on all the new models.

A Peugeot/Citroën tech will be far more qualified to work a 600 than a Fiat one fresh out of training will given most of the underpinnings have been in the PSA group for anything up to a decade.

 

[portland_bill]

Bristol lost its Fiat dealer very suddenly a year or two back. A while ago, heading out of Bristol towards Bath, I noticed that the Vauxhall dealer now had more signs along its facade. Added to the Vauxhall, was Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat. In that respect, it has added needed support to previously 'lost' Fiat owners. So in some areas, it could be a good thing.

 

[StevenRB45]

Also random mystery for the day...

Absolutely pointless and of no consequence but the yellow caps on the rear number plate screws dropped off the Citroën when it was less than a year old.

I noticed...but didn't particularly care as it has bigger issues cosmetically.

Today was putting something in the boot.. someone has replaced them at some point since last year...no idea who.

Probably my indie to be fair as Citroën never saw fit to bother in the last 7 years but this year they've seen it twice.

 

[The Panda Nut]

My Ibiza had that function Andy and the Skoda seems to be very similar, I've already discovered how to cancel the Lane Assist using it. Good call, I'll start with that, thanks.

Edit, PS, the ibiza didn't have sat nav and a very much simpler screen too - Oh dear, how did I switch italics on?

Oh dear, how did I switch italics on?

Ha Ha Ha.... Well its always happening to me. So it must be age.... I assume its a certain key stroke combo.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I feel his "pain". Last week, with about 200 miles on the clock, we went out to my boy's house to the south of the city and I was really enjoying the experience. The car is lovely to drive, the ride is considerably more comfortable than the Ibiza and it pitches much much less on speed bumps. The Ibiza was particularly bad on them, trying to bury it's front end into the road as it came down off the "hump". There's also much less turbo lag when picking up from low revs as you accelerate away from said speed bump - I'm pretty sure this is courtesy of the variable vane turbo control as opposed to the Ibiza's more simple open and shut wastegate. Time will tell if it's going to be as reliable though?

All went very well on the outward journey and I was feeling very pleased and thought I was really beginning to settle in and "bond" with the new car. On the return journey, almost as we left the end of his road, an orange triangle with an orange exclamation mark illuminated on the "mini panel" between the speedo and rev counter. Nothing else to indicate what it might be so Mrs J hauled out the owner's manual and discouvered there are 3 pages of warning icons which can appear. I pulled into the first convenient side road, switched the engine off and started reading the book. Seems that this exclamation mark in orange is to draw your attention and there should be another lit to further narrow down what's at fault. Our's only had the exclamation mark though. The book lists it as a "warning symbol" and should be safe to drive to your nearest "specialist garage" - for which read "main dealer". When I started the engine again it didn't come back so we carried on (I'd nipped out and checked oil, coolant, brake fluid levels and had a good look around under the bonnet generally while we were stationary, but found nothing. It was dark so I'd checked all the lights too including the number plate lights) Anyway, after about 10 minutes more or less, the light came back on. Oh dear. continued carefully keeping an eye out for coolant temp, oil warning light etc, etc. Luckily we go right past the Skoda dealer so I nipped in on our way past. Unfortunately the workshop staff had all gone home but there were reception staff there handing back cars that had been in during the day for work. She was very nice and said she thought the workshop foreman was still in and went to find him. 10 minutes later she came back with him and he had a quick look at the car but the light had gone out again! He told me the exclamation mark in either orange or red should be accompanied by an identifier light which narrows down the area of concern. A red light must not be ignored and, depending on the fault light the car may need to be immediately immobilized - Ie, engine stopped. An orange light is a warning and it should be safe to continue driving but advisable to call at a garage as soon as possible. As only our exclamation light is lit with no "identifier"light to accompany it, He couldn't make any suggestions as to what the fault might be and it would need to go on the diagnostic machine. He was actually a very nice chap and when I told him I used to hold a similar position to him, but many years ago, so wasn't surprised to find he was late going home - not many workshop foremen get to walk out the door with the other men - We commiserated for a while about the foreman's "lot" and he then said, We've had a few lately with similar symptoms, where it's been something like a poorly seated side light bulb. If I were you, as it's only an orange warning, I'd just drive it around for a while and see if an identifier pops on. Ok. so we drove home. Now, with nearly 800 miles on the clock, the orange exclamation has not been seen again, let alone an "identifier" - and all levels etc are absolutely fine with the car running beautifully. I'd love to know what caused it though.

But 3 pages of identifier symbols? That's over 40 fault symbols that could appear on the dash with another 52 "information" symbols, like main beam, dip beam, lane assist, seat belts, air con, safe distance, 6 separate ones for cruise control state, etc, etc. There even seems to be a light to tell you no light is switched on!? although I haven't seen that one yet. surely this isn't necessary.

Possibly like the Fiat insufficient power message when the car would rather have had a bootful of power when starting on a slope. Or, electronics made in Italy? You should have got another Panda!