Towbar and wiring

[aslsw]

Two weeks ago, I completely rewired my trailer. I was getting warnings on both the old and new Octavias, but I knew the wiring had degraded to the point where brakes blinked with indicators! So, everything came out and new went in.

Everything worked perfectly when I did a stationery test in my driveway, so last weekend it was all set to go camping. My wife and I checked everything - brakes, lights, indicators - bt then the dreaded warning lights came on when I took off! They say "Check rear [left/right] tail light".

It's a 7-pin connector but running 5-core wires. The only wire I never connected was the reversing one - do you think that could be the cause of the problem? ie. the car expects the reversing wire to be connected at all times, even if reverse gear isn't selected.

[Umai Naa!!]

LED lights on the trailer?

[aslsw]

Yes, all new LEDs. The fact that all of the lights worked perfectly when I tested them with none of the side-effects I'd read about meant I assumed there was no problem.

Do you think this is it? If so, I'll have to track down a load resistor to put in.

It's more of a nuisance really - everything works as intended (much better than the old lights), it's just a nuisance to drive hundreds of kms with a warning light on.

[Umai Naa!!]

I would say that the LED lights are definetly the issue here.

The bulb monitoring is designed around the internal resistance of incandescent bulbs, not LEDs.

[joel0407]

If you have the standard VW/Skoda trailer wiring canbus unit. It has a seperate wire for left and right brake or tail lights. I did a write up on either here or the Briskoda forum. I can't even remeber myself now. You can't wire them together either as the system will detect feed back from one side to the other.

Happy Days

[joel0407]

Yep. Here Wiring for 13 pin Euro Plugs & sockets for trailers & caravans | UK-Trailer-Parts

Left and Right tail lights. I think I wired them together but used diodes to stop feed back from one to the other. If your not electrically savy, a Diode is like a one way valve, power can flow one way but not the other.

FYI I never used my reverse wire so everytime I reverse with the trailer connected I get the bulb out warning.

Happy Days.

[aslsw]

As I say, its more an annoyance than a real problem.

Thanks for the ideas, I might try to isolate to at least confirm which wiring is causing the problem. For example, I don't get any errors on the indicators (I used to get them on the crappy old trailer lights, so I know a warning exists for those).

I did join the tail light wires together from both sides (not the indicators) - could that be the problem? Sorry, I'm trying to follow along but I'm definitely not savvy with electronics. I was pretty chuffed that I could complete the job with the lights actually functioning!

[parisfrance]

Tell them they are dreaming

I obtained a quote today from the only remaining authorised Skoda service department in metropolitan Perth and was quoted over $1400 for the towbar and electronic module plus five hours labour to install at $837 ($167/hr) + GST. Over $2200 for a towbar!

At that price, for the few times I will need to tow a trailer I will hire a vehicle with a towbar.

Mind you I was talking to a colleague who has a YETI and he had his vehicle in for a scheduled 60k service today which was costing him $550 (he doesn't have fixed price servicing). The same dealership telephoned to advise that the manufacturer recommends the automatic transmission should also be serviced at 60k for an additional cost of $770. The service agent advised that the automatic fluid was very expensive, hence the inflated cost.

This dealership doesn't even do a good job. They have had my 4.5 month old Octavia Wagon five times to try and fix the sunshade for the Panoramic Roof, which was broken from the day we collected it. They have had to completely remove the roof lining, replace the shade and have managed to tear the replacement roof lining in two places during the course of this work, only for the shade to rattle like an old wind chime on anything other than a billiard table smooth surface. And the two times I have forgotten to tell them not to wash the vehicle during the service it has come back with water streaks all over it.

It is due to go back to them for a week at the beginning of November for them to address the roof rattle. This will be their last chance or I will be taking it to the nearby Audi Centre; even if it isn't fixed under warranty by Audi and I have to pay for it.

I love the car but the after sales service is shocking. They don't even ring or text me to tell me the vehicle is ready for collection, I have had to call them each time.

[Snail Style]

I'll be in Perth in the new year operating as a mobile mechanic, and can sort all those issues easily.

[GTR27]

I obtained a quote today from the only remaining authorised Skoda service department in metropolitan Perth and was quoted over $1400 for the towbar and electronic module plus five hours labour to install at $837 ($167/hr) + GST. Over $2200 for a towbar!

At that price, for the few times I will need to tow a trailer I will hire a vehicle with a towbar.

Mind you I was talking to a colleague who has a YETI and he had his vehicle in for a scheduled 60k service today which was costing him $550 (he doesn't have fixed price servicing). The same dealership telephoned to advise that the manufacturer recommends the automatic transmission should also be serviced at 60k for an additional cost of $770. The service agent advised that the automatic fluid was very expensive, hence the inflated cost.

This dealership doesn't even do a good job. They have had my 4.5 month old Octavia Wagon five times to try and fix the sunshade for the Panoramic Roof, which was broken from the day we collected it. They have had to completely remove the roof lining, replace the shade and have managed to tear the replacement roof lining in two places during the course of this work, only for the shade to rattle like an old wind chime on anything other than a billiard table smooth surface. And the two times I have forgotten to tell them not to wash the vehicle during the service it has come back with water streaks all over it.

It is due to go back to them for a week at the beginning of November for them to address the roof rattle. This will be their last chance or I will be taking it to the nearby Audi Centre; even if it isn't fixed under warranty by Audi and I have to pay for it.

I love the car but the after sales service is shocking. They don't even ring or text me to tell me the vehicle is ready for collection, I have had to call them each time.

That's truely awful service. It's really the biggest bug bear with buying a Skoda, so few dealers = less competition = worse service.

Last Skoda I had serviced by a independent specialist here in Brisbane. Haven't had the current one serviced yet, but I'll give gold coast Skoda a go as they were good on the sales front. I will never go to Brisbane prestige (main Brisbane dealer) they are a bunch of arrogant muppets.

[aslsw]

Colin from Lennock has always told me that if I have any problems with the service I should talk to him. He knows that his ability to sell me my third Skoda depends on my experience over the life of the car. Luckily, I've always had a good response from the service team there and services have tended to come in under the budget - my only gripe is that warranty work needs approval and therefore another appointment booked in.

[parisfrance]

I'll be in Perth in the new year operating as a mobile mechanic, and can sort all those issues easily.

You've just made my wife scream with excitement! She is so frustrated and disappointed with the servicing we have received under warranty from Skoda here in Perth that she was begging me to take it to Audi or even our former Honda dealership where the service was flawless. Snail Style I expect to me in touch and I will also mention you to my colleague with the Yeti. There aren't many Skodas here in Perth but plenty of Audi's and VW's so you won't be short of business.

[joel0407]

If you have a service manual, most of the services are ridiculously easy. 15K, 30K and 45K are little more than a oil and filter change. i think one includes a cabin filter from memory. The price dealers charge is nothing short of a scam.

The 60k on my Yeti includes a DSG oil change and although the dealers schedule doesn't list it, the manual has the Haladex oil change as well. The DSG needs special tools so I had to go to the dealer here in Darwin. One they are know to be expensive but they also have a reputation for pretty rubbish work her in Darwin. First I went in for a quote which was over $900 from memory. I took the quote home and crossed all the things on the list I didn't want them to do. Things listed were check windscreen washer bottle, check tyre pressures then further down the list, fill windscreen washer bottle. Funny they had check oil on the first page then change oil on the second page. They make it look like they are doing a lot to justify their charges. When I went bask with a list of only about 5 or 6 things I wanted down, they told me the labour wuldn't be capped at Skoda limit of $120 and they would charge $175. They then calculated just the things I wanted done and the price came back the same.

I ended up providing all my own oil and filters and just got them to do the DSG and Haladex oil change. I can't remember now but I think I ended up under $500 having the oil change done at my normal Mech and just the things he couldn't do at the dealer.

I'm happy for those people that can't or don't want to do things like check the washer bottle but for some one like myself, I rotate my own tyres, I check the tyre pressures weekly, adding a little soapy water to the washer bottle is thwe least of my worries when I'm getting my vehicle serviced.

I'm also not a famn of these free loan cars. Nothing is free and the cost is just shared by the company as a whole. So that means everyones service cost is higher so a few can have free loan car. the problem with that is these companies don't give discounts to those who don't want or need a loan car.

[Skooter]

Haven't been on the forum for some time ... no probs with the 2010 Scout! Servicing was a real bugbear for me when I bought the car - Richmond Skoda just couldn't convince me where the money went, so I did my 60,000km service myself and have been doing them ever since (now close to 105,000km). Not only did they want $950 for what cost me about $300 in oil and all parts and about 3 hours of my slow labour (included Haldex fluid change), but I discovered they'd double-filled the sump (when the PO had them service it) when I drained the oil. I had this confirmed via VAG Aus who sent me to an alternative dealer (now defunct preston Skoda ) who ran at least 3 drain and weigh cycles on it.

Computer checks aren't necessary unless a light comes on on the dash, IMHO.

As for towbars - Richmond quoted me $1800 - I had to laugh! I sourced an approved towbar and elec kit from Ironbull - bit of work to fit, but no dramas - once i sorted the wiring!