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I want to permanently disable the stop/start feature on my Skoda Octavia Mk3 (based on VW).

TL:DR; The implementation is faulty. Suppose I want to pass a parked car, and slow down for a car coming the other way. I might still be moving, and in gear (auto) yet the engine cuts out, the steering loses power, and I can't complete the manoeuvre. I'd go so far as to say it is dangerous. But you have to disable the system every time you start the car, and I do not always remember. Anyway I can and do switch off the engine when it is not needed.

VW claims it is not possible to disable the system but I found there is a connector from one of the battery posts which monitors the state of the battery, to check if there is enough power to run the lighting and aircon, and restart the engine. If disconnected, the stop/start system does not work.

The post I found says

I have a very good friend who is a master tech at VW and a bit of a car genius too........he did it without me knowing! Its a simple little plug and if he tells me that its only there to inform the start stop function then I absolutely trust him.

enter image description here

I do not want to try this if it will cause something bad. So, my question is:

  • If I disconnect will it affect the normal charging of the battery, or anything else?
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  • Start/stop should only come into play when the vehicle is COMPLETELY stopped. Engine should stop when the vehicle is stopped and the foot is still on the brake, then restart when you take your foot off the brake. Is there an ongoing issue with all VW/Skodas where it doesn't?
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Nov 23, 2020 at 20:33
  • @Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 the vehicle has not even stopped. In the (now linked) thread some others confirm that it happens at inappropriate times... E.g. "As when driven various Auto's with Stop/Start it bordered on dangerious when the car cuts out while waiting in a juntion etc." And "I've always thought that it prematurely cuts the engine off and it has frustrated me many times in the past."
    – Weather Vane
    Nov 23, 2020 at 20:37
  • @Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 I guess you are talking about automatic transmission? I've only driven a manual with stop-start a few times (in the UK) but AFAIK the engine only stops when the gear is in neutral and the clutch pedal is up. At red lights etc, pressing the clutch to select a gear restarts the engine. Holding the clutch down keeps the engine running. Of course people do ride the brake pedal when stopped on level ground, but the "correct" procedure (which is necessary for hill starts anyway) is to use the handbrake and have both feet off the pedals.
    – alephzero
    Nov 23, 2020 at 21:41
  • As long as what's said is accurate, I'd be plying VAG for some kind of fix or have them disable it. Yah, does not sound safe. And @alephzero ... you're right, only autos with it I've driven. Still, the vehicle should be stopped when it's activated. If it's stopping midstream, there's a huge safety issue there.
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Nov 23, 2020 at 22:16
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    @Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 I'm glad you survived :) Thanks I can at least ask at the main dealer if there are any issues.
    – Weather Vane
    Nov 23, 2020 at 23:33

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