Flat battery/ voltage drain

[daft1014]

Hello,

I noticed over the last few days that sometimes after I unlock my Nov 09 build Octavia there is an audible warning (dinging). This dinging seemed to be intermittent, and was not accompanied by any warning signal on dash. It happened both with and without the auto lights on. I could not find any mention of it in the manual and as it didn't seem to impact the car once started I dismissed it...

I went to start it yesterday and it was dead... flat battery. I called Skoda Assist and they called out the RACQ (like NRMA/RACV). It needed a jump start but the mechanic said I should take it to the dealer. In his opinion it should not happen on a new car.

The dealer had a quick look, tested the battery (ok), checked that it was charging (ok), and checked for error codes (none). Basically they could offer no explanation as to why it went flat. It's not even like it gets cold here in QLD and it gets used everyday (albeit for short trips).

He didn't hear the dinging and could not offer any suggestions as to what it might be... It could of course be unrelated. It's just weird that the car started making this noise just before it went flat.

Yesterday after the jump start I didn't hear the dinging again, but it was there again this morning after the car sat overnight. If this dinging is related then going on what happened last time the battery will be flat again in a few mornings time.

Any suggestions on things I can check myself that could be the possible cause of the voltage drain?

[wai]

I have a 2011 Caddy Maxi Life and discovered that the 12 V sockets remain live even when the ignition is turned off.

You might want to check that you have no accessories plugged in that are running even with the ignition turned off.

[daft1014]

I have a 2011 Caddy Maxi Life and discovered that the 12 V sockets remain live even when the ignition is turned off.

You might want to check that you have no accessories plugged in that are running even with the ignition turned off.

Thanks I can't remember every plugging anything into the 12 v socket, but I will check anyway...

[woofy]

When I bought my first car in what seems a long time ago, I drove it home and the next day it was almost flat. I drove it around at 100km/hr and charged it up and same thing kept happening.

I had the alternator tested, the battery, all fine, so checked everything that could be on. No luck.

A week or so later I spent a weekend cleaning out the inside of the car, when i folded down one of the split fold rear seats I found that the interior boot light was on. Turned out a little knob of plastic had fallen off it when we bought it, and it meant it wasn't quite pushed in enough to turn off the light when the boot shut. Who knows how long it would have taken to figure that one out! With everything in cars now, I can only imagine at times what devices/circuits can be active draining power on the sly. My wifes previous car used to drain the battery if it sat longer than 3 days cause the aftermarket alarm was sucking power.

[wai]

I found that the interior boot light was on.

I suppose it is the age old question. When you close a fridge door, does the little light actually go out? You can test it with the door open, but it does not tell you what happens when you actually close the door

The evening I got my new Caddy Maxi Life home I did some "setting up" after dark (bad move). Then the alarm kept saying that a door was open. Fortunately I was able to check that the load area light was going off, but that was a different switch to the tailgate switch. I found out I had to be a touch more firm when closing the tailgate

[Transporter]

I suppose it is the age old question. When you close a fridge door, does the little light actually go out? You can test it with the door open, but it does not tell you what happens when you actually close the door

The evening I got my new Caddy Maxi Life home I did some "setting up" after dark (bad move). Then the alarm kept saying that a door was open. Fortunately I was able to check that the load area light was going off, but that was a different switch to the tailgate switch. I found out I had to be a touch more firm when closing the tailgate

You can leave your pocket camera or smartphone in the boot and set it to record the video, shut the boot and open it later to check if the light went off. Or you can monitor battery voltage with the DVM.

[pologti18t]

Does the Octavia have a "body" computer that shuts off all interior lights, stereo etc after a certain time with the ignition key removed?

[wai]

Does the Octavia have a "body" computer that shuts off all interior lights, stereo etc after a certain time with the ignition key removed?

Probably does, however the lights should go off when the central locking/alarm is activated.

[K1W1]

The dinging is indicating to me that something s staying on. It could b a faulty door switch or an accessory who knows but something is not right.
Thought bubble.
If you have the fog lights on manual (switch at about 2 o'clock and pulled out) they stay on and the dinging starts when you take the ignition key out. Check your headlight switch position.

[wai]

Just thought of another one.

Make sure that the turn indicators are off otherwise the parking lights will be on on the side the indicators would be lighting up normally.

[pologti18t]

Just thought of another one.

Make sure that the turn indicators are off otherwise the parking lights will be on on the side the indicators would be lighting up normally.

That sounds plausible

[K1W1]

Indicators on all night will not flatten the battery.

[brad]

I have a 2011 Caddy Maxi Life and discovered that the 12 V sockets remain live even when the ignition is turned off.

You might want to check that you have no accessories plugged in that are running even with the ignition turned off.

for 30 mins. It's in the manual.

[brad]

Does the Octavia have a "body" computer that shuts off all interior lights, stereo etc after a certain time with the ignition key removed?

yes. varying time periods depending on settings

[wai]

for 30 mins. It's in the manual.

Well i'll be...

My first weekend with the Caddy so it will be some heavy reading