Recurring Engine Management Light

[12fabia1993]

In January this year I purchased a 2007 Skoda Fabia Classic. Since then a concerning problem has developed involving the engine management light.

 

Two months ago when the light came on I took the car to a "specialist" garage in order to have it fixed. The garage then replaced the lambda sensor, which resolved the problem for two weeks. 

 

Upon the return of the problem because I didn't trust the garage that repaired it previously I took it to a Skoda dealer. The dealer then charged me £580 to replace an oxygen sensor, a valve, a tube and the evaporation cannister.

 

A week later the problem had returned again, so I took the vehicle again got it back with a fuse replaced. Two days later the problem returns again. As I was going on holiday they were given the car for a week in which time they 

discovered water was being held in some tape on the wiring loom by the battery, so they cleaned it up and re-taped it. 

 

I drove the car 10 miles down the road and the light has returned AGAIN. 

 

As I understand it the next step from the dealers perspective is to replace the wire loom under the bonnet for £2000. Obviously this would mean the car's a write off. 

 

Could the wiring loom be the source of this problem and if so is there a cheaper way of getting it repaired?

Could the ECU be defective and the dealer has somehow missed it?

Are there any additional problems the dealer may have missed?

 

Any assistance with this problem would be appreciated as it is becoming a massive problem. 

[sepulchrave]

Unfortunately we need far more information, this is a DIY forum where we can guide you through helping yourself rather than constantly having your pants pulled down by a backstreet garage or the dealer.

 

Tell us what engine you have rather than the trim spec. of the car please. This information will be on the sticker under your boot floor carpet.

 

Get the fault codes read and post the results here for further guidance. Buy a code reader if you don't know anyone other than dodgy garages and dealers, tell us where you are geographically and another member nearby may be able to help.

 

Find an independant VW dealer who will likely be a far better bet than general grease monkeys and dealers if you don't want to repair it yourself.

[12fabia1993]

Thanks for the response. 

 

The engine is a 1.2 HTP 40KW  BMD.

It has been displaying the code P0171: Fuel Trim, Bank1 System too lean.

Another code displayed was VAG01598: Drive battery voltage 

 

If this still is of no help please let me know and I will endeavor to supply more information 

[sepulchrave]

Thanks for the response. 

 

The engine is a 1.2 HTP 40KW  BMD.

It has been displaying the code P0171: Fuel Trim, Bank1 System too lean.

Another code displayed was VAG01598: Drive battery voltage 

 

If this still is of no help please let me know and I will endeavor to supply more information 

 

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/16555/P0171/000369

 

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/01598

 

These engine are known to have problems with burnt exhaust valves, get a cylinder compression and leakdown test done.

 

I'm unclear why the garages have done the work you list.

[12fabia1993]

Thanks again.

 

Just a quick question. Would you necessarily expect the car to run any differently with this problem?

It does run perfectly normally, Which is why I believe the dealer has assumed it's the electrics. 

Edited 25 October, 2014 by 12fabia1993

[sepulchrave]

Thanks again.

 

Just a quick question. Would you necessarily expect the car to run any differently with this problem?

It does run perfectly normally, Which is why I believe the dealer has assumed it's the electrics. 

 

Why are you throwing huge sums of money at a car which is functioning normally, because a light bulb tells you to?

 

In answer to your question, yes, I would expect it to idle unevenly with burnt exhaust valves, in the absence of any symptomatic information I threw it in since it's quite common on that engine.