Climate issues?

gamerdood123

Active Member
Oct 1, 2020
54
8
United Kingdom
Hi all, so I'm sure some of you are going to remember me as this 2016 Leon seems to be giving me a headache slowly with the amount of admittedly minor, but annoying issues!

So I previously had a 2014 2.0 seat Leon with same extras and that was flawless 4 years I owned it. Then had a 2016 1.8tsi Leon which electrically was fine but had to be returned for other reasons! So then I got a 2016 1.4act 150bhp Leon. With just 30k miles. Bought 2 months ago done about 500 miles in it.

This one seems to have had a couple of issues, but one I've previously posted about (thread now removed) has either moved system or is just having a good week!

So the auto lights function, when I get in it at the start or end of a day after it hasn't been driven for a hour or so, has a delay before turning any vehicle lights on, even if its pitch black with no street lights. Once on if I get out and in or just to pay for fuel or whatever it will work flawlessly. Have tried changing to all settings in radio ect. The delay is between 15 sec to about a minute.

Recently that issue hasn't appeared, or that I've notice but I got in it the other day and the heaters weren't on the previous blower settings as it should be, was showing the right temp and that it was at windscreen but didn't come on, anyway I drove to work without messing with it which is all of 5 mins away, as I pulled into the car park, BAM blowers randomly came on! Since then it's varied between 20 secs and 5 mins. So I have had other issues with it the lights not coming up but thought it was me as I only glanced whilst driving. So I started to play around with it and have noticed several other issues with it, including the ones I'd previously spotted which I thought was just me glancing whilst driving!

Video below. Has anyone else had these issues? Could someone do me a huge favour and make a video of they're showing what I've shown so I can show garage? As they 'can't fault' the issue, as if its ment to be like that! Was from a pergeot dealer, so assume they don't have the correct systems to check, a quite far away seat dealer has asked for videos ect, the lady was very helpful!

Any ideas/suggestions would be great as I really like the car other than these two issues and the misting lights.
Also if I need to blank out anything in the radio model number let me know and I'll do it as unsure if it matters!
Thanks!

 

gamerdood123

Active Member
Oct 1, 2020
54
8
United Kingdom
I honestly can't believe no one has any suggestions or input on this? Even to tell me they're is the same or that it should come in when I'm switching auto to something else?

Makes me concerned that it could be a serious issue if no one can even give me a suggestion!
 

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,256
585
Have you checked the battery voltage/state of charge?

You can find out the state of charge following this video:


The battery control module has the ability to shed services if the battery charge is too low. You have stated that you’ve only completed 500 miles in two months and short journeys to work. Now that the temperature is dropping this will be compounding any battery issues, and you are attempting to draw a high load from the electrical systems on start-up.

Obviously it would be useful to plug into a diagnostic tool too.
 

gamerdood123

Active Member
Oct 1, 2020
54
8
United Kingdom
Have you checked the battery voltage/state of charge?

You can find out the state of charge following this video:


The battery control module has the ability to shed services if the battery charge is too low. You have stated that you’ve only completed 500 miles in two months and short journeys to work. Now that the temperature is dropping this will be compounding any battery issues, and you are attempting to draw a high load from the electrical systems on start-up.

Obviously it would be useful to plug into a diagnostic tool too.
Hi thank you for your response, I did think maybe battery from the get go! I tried what you said a few times and got this message
IMG_20201129_082445.jpg

Pergeot who I bought it from have had it back previously and found no fault, I'm dropping it off Tomorow again for them to look at Tuesday so I'd assume they're using diagnostic machine, but it will be a pergeot one not one designed for vw/seat! They've had it back like 5 times so far in just under 2 months for various issues!

I do Alot of short runs, yesterday I drove it for about a hour and turned off stop start, and still having issues today I believe! Also stop start usually works which I assumed was a good indicator battery was at okay levels!
 

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,256
585
Ok, the SOC is not the most reliable, but the fact that you are getting — % reading is indicative that this may be a place to start the fault diagnosis.

Due to the stop/start system and electronic control modules these vehicles are very sensitive to battery type / battery control module issues. ie. If the battery is replaced it has to be coded to the vehicle for example.

It’s been a while since I’ve looked at a Leon battery, but most batteries have a tell-tale condition indicator (round window about size of 5p piece) - there should be a sticker on the battery telling you what colour it should indicate.

If you have a multimeter, you can read the voltage of the battery not running and running if this is > 12V static and > 14V running - this indicates that the battery and alternator are good.

Other potential issues are the battery control module or incorrect vehicle coding.

I would try to get the car read by a VAG enthusiastic in your local area with a VCDS cable or take it to a VAG dealer/specialist - if they find a fault then you can take this up with the supplying dealer.
 

gamerdood123

Active Member
Oct 1, 2020
54
8
United Kingdom
Again thank you for your reply!
This is the battery so the indicator seems all good:
IMG_20201129_093455.jpg


Sadly my multimeter is currently being borrowed by a family member a fair distance away, so I have no access to it!

I'm just worried it's a control module that's got a fault and will be a small fortune to fix! Or simply never being fixed like my friend BMW they could never find the fault with!

I do know a vag enthusiastic person local but he's the guy I usually go to for everything! I've just messaged him he said he will scan it at 7am before his boss gets in tomorow, and then I'm dropping it off to pug Tomorow so hopefully that will get me somewhere!
Is there anything spesific I should ask him to look at? (I have no idea how that stuff works)
Thanks again!
 

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,256
585
One other thing that you could try is a recalibration of the ventilation flaps.

Ignition on (but don’t start engine) >> press and hold for 5 seconds the ‘A/C’ plus ‘front vent’ buttons >> release. When you release, the lights for these two buttons will flash alternately. When they stop flashing this will mean that calibration is complete.

In terms of the scan, just run an auto scan and see what codes are logged. The fault codes can then be checked against a database to determine likely causes.

Type ‘ROSS Tech wiki’ plus the fault code into a search engine and you will have some things to check for.


There is some more info on the battery control module here:

 

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,256
585
should the battery not be the AGM type?

Not necessarily:


EFBs are used on smaller engine stop start systems - OP has the 1.4 ACT.
 
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gamerdood123

Active Member
Oct 1, 2020
54
8
United Kingdom
I have tried recalibrate the ventilation flaps, twice infact! Sadly made absolutely no difference!

Also thank you for the info, will show the guy scanning Tomorow, just gotta hope pug play ball, I know some places hate when you've gone elsewhere for a straightforward scan!
And for confirming its the right battery! If it is thag module is it expensive? And will it need recoding :'(
 

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,256
585
Bit of a catch 22. Ordinarily scan the car, clear the DTC codes, drive for a few days/weeks and then re-scan to see what codes have re-appeared.

Your battery looks like the OEM one fitted from new - unless it’s been swapped via a donor vehicle.

In your case tomorrow, scan the car but don’t clear the codes. You then have two options - 1) take it to the dealer and see what they diagnose or 2) provide them with a copy of the VAG scan with the DTCs which will help them diagnose.

The battery control modules are c.£25 used or c.£100 OEM new - however, as you’ve only just purchased the car, the supplying dealer will be on the hook for this. Modules are probably made by a company like Bosch, Hella, Valeo so may be able to get one via ECPs too.
 
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gamerdood123

Active Member
Oct 1, 2020
54
8
United Kingdom
Thank you I will make sure he doesn't clear the codes!

I'd guess it is original battery, it's had 2 owners previously, one seems to have had it about 3 years and the other just over a year (basing it on service stamps)

I've been checking warrenty booklet, only problem I can see is it doesn't cover coding UNLESS it's required after replacing a part, so that could be a bit of a sticky one depending on the result! But as I said they've had it before and just brushed it off like problem wasn't there! The warrenty book does also say it doesn't cover water ingress, yet they replaced all vents behind rear bumper and carpet in boot for free couple weeks back so can't fault them really!

And the main reason they got it back Tomorow is the misting lights, they seem to be misting completely, not just A little at the bottom!

If it was just a few hundrad to fix, I'd be unhappy but pay it, as soon as someone says electric it makes me fear thousands!
 
Last edited:

gamerdood123

Active Member
Oct 1, 2020
54
8
United Kingdom
Some info on the first fault here:

I believe (don't quote me) battery was at 14.something volts, the guy said it was a normal level on print out but garage have it now so can't check!

But they just dismissed that fault code, said its nothing to do with that problem and that it's engine related relay! I dont know what they're plan is but I will keep you posted.

Edit:
Says above in image 14.2volts
 

gamerdood123

Active Member
Oct 1, 2020
54
8
United Kingdom
Just got car back from pergeot who sent it to seat.

Seat found fault with auto light sensor and said it could cause other systems to play up, seat replaced sensor.

Got in car lights delayed, same fault on climate, told them they're calling seat, on way home lights shut off again on Auto, turned on normally, 5 mins later when stopped flicked back to auto and stayed on? Called them let them know.

Grrrrr
 
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