HOWTO replace the charge flap

[Aragorn]

eBay is full of 8V0862159A parts, its common and used across many models.

[Stunts]

Yep, found that a SEAT mechanism is the same part number, so ordered from there. Just waiting for the wife to come home with the car now so I can change it all!

[RichR]

Guess what? After three years of working perfectly, my lock motor has given up, just before I’m about to drive to Cornwall for the week.

Luckily, because I’ve had it apart before, I could slide the flap off the hinge unit without damage. Then I trimmed the T bits off the motor mechanism so I can now open and close the flap. Will stick a bit of masking tape on to hold it shut on the motorway I guess. Then when I get back see if I can get a new motor module.

[Aragorn]

Mines still going strong after lots of greasing... I do wonder if i should just order a motor and keep it on the shelf though...

[RichR]

Having removed the flap so I can see where the T bit engages in the outer section to lock it, that wasn't binding. But the motor just isn't turning to line it up with the slot.

The question is whether it's possible to replace the motor without wrecking the clips that hold the black plastic module into the bodywork. Guess I'll find out when I try.

[Dorsetandy]

Are you not still under warranty? If so would Skoda reject any claim on the basis you have attempted a roadside fix as has been mentioned previously?

[RichR]

I've only got 4 months of warranty left anyway, and I need to be able to charge the car tonight as I'm heading to Cornwall in the morning. Getting the car to the dealership means taking a morning off work (it's a fair drive) too. I'm quite capable of replacing the motor - I've already effectively done it once when I swapped the hinge module over.

[Aragorn]

Are you not still under warranty? If so would Skoda reject any claim on the basis you have attempted a roadside fix as has been mentioned previously?

They'd have to be pretty miserly to take that view, given its a super common fault and can leave you stranded... The recovery services will all typically just break the flap open and send you on your way to have it fixed at your leisure.

If you smashed the flap to pieces trying to get it open, then maybe they'd reject that. But just a broken motor? i cant see it.

Its a cheap part though, sort of thing that almost isnt worth the warranty faff.

[Stunts]

Out of pure morbid curiosity, once I'd replaced the mechanism, I took the old one apart..... A picture, as they say, paints a thousand words. Almost all of them expletives!! Our car is two and a half years old!!

[Ovv]

I've just fallen foul to this for the 2nd time in a few weeks. First time around I was able pry it open to give it a wee squirt of lubricant and I left it for a few hours. Luckily I was at home at the time but was needing the car fully charged for a long trip. I called the Skoda helpline and was told it would have been the middle of the night before they could have someone out to me. I deferred and said morning would be better and sods law, it had fixed itself before anyone could come out to me. Same situation again today, stuck solid. What a complete joke!
My warranty runs out in 4 weeks, so a call to Skoda to get it booked in looks ominous.