Skoda Yeti Diesel engine issues

Oh dear, that sounds familiar! I had a similar issue with my Skoda Octavia – though it's a bit older than your Yeti. The reduced engine power and the flickering lights are definitely telltale signs of an alternator issue. Have you checked the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine running? It should be around 14V. If it's significantly lower, that pretty much confirms the charging system isn't working correctly. Did you inspect the alternator's belt? A slipping or damaged belt could also cause similar symptoms.

Thanks for the quick reply! I haven't checked the voltage myself, to be honest. I'm not really that experienced with car electronics. The belt seems okay visually, but how can I be absolutely sure it's not slipping? And if it is the alternator, is alternator replacement the only solution, or could it be something else?

Yes, the fact that the error memory points to the generator makes it highly likely that you have an alternator issue. While a slipping belt can cause charging problems, it usually manifests as a squealing noise, which you didn't mention. And while theoretically other components could be involved, the symptoms you describe strongly suggest the alternator has failed. Is alternator replacement the only solution? Unfortunately, yes, most likely. It's possible a component within the alternator could be repaired, but it's generally more cost-effective to simply replace the entire unit. Considering the symptoms and the error code, I'd strongly recommend taking it to a workshop for a proper diagnosis and alternator replacement before it gets worse.

Thank you so much for your help and insights! It seems you were right. I took my Yeti to the local workshop and they confirmed it was indeed the generator. The alternator replacement, including labor, ended up costing me around 960€. Ouch! But at least my car is running smoothly again. I really appreciate you sharing your experience!