czechmait

You may want to read of my previous experiences with 1.4 MPI Fabia auto on http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/331092-fabia-mk1-automatic/ I have have two 2001 Fabia 1.4 automatics,one a saloon and one a combi, but both with the AUA engine. I still have the combi I refer to in the listing as having similar characteristics as your car. Recommendation don't throw a lot of money, as I have done. It still drives well, once it's warmed up.

Hi jojo564 Just picked up your post. For what it's worth here's my experience of exactly the same problem. I have a 2001 plate, 1.4 MPI automatic combi, having done 96K miles. It has the AUA engine with the ESK 4 speed box (3 forward + rev) The auto box is a model JF404E made by JATCO, I believe part of the Nissan group. This box was widely used only smaller popular car brands. My car exhibits the identical characteristics as your. On startup from cold the gearbox seems to slip on 1st and 2nd gear changes, with revs increasing by 2000 - 2500 rpm. As soon as the gearbox warms up, after a couple of miles, the fault goes away. I have twice sent the car back to one local Skoda dealer to have ATF level checked. Both times it made no difference. I was recommended (by another Skoda Service/Workshop manager) to contact a specialist gearbox remanufacturer in Sussex. That company has the ultimate in gearbox diagnostic equipment, far superior to that the Skoda dealers use. The manager uses this company for elusive problem solving on electronic auto gearboxes. Anyway, I emailed the company with a very detailed description of the problem. The owner came back and stated that he has never come across that problem in his 30 years experience. He was prepared to investigate, but only after confirmation of quality and level of ATF. Back to the new Skoda dealer Service Manager, with whom I had developed a good rapport. I am a time served machine tool engineer and well versed in gearboxes and controls and I felt comfortable that this guy knew his job. We agreed his team would run the engine up to temperature, drain all ATF fluid from the gearbox and torque converter and totally refill the system with new VAG ATF. This being done whilst the temperature was still at 35 degrees C, as per workshop manual. The engine was then run, the gearbox exercised and the gearbox ATF level checked again. Once we were satisfied that levels were ok, the functionality of the 4 soleniods were checked. All worked as and when required, at correct revs. Then for the road test. After spending £165 with 85% being the cost of the VAG special ATF. The result - absolutely no bloody difference. The concensus of technical opinion is that the car is wearing and the Torque Converter is showing its age. It is just behaving in a lazy manner when it's cold. As for the car. I've still got it and still using it. With the fault now being part of the car's character. Sorry for such a long tale, but if my experiences save you and others from spending money, it might be worth noting. regards

Thank you for your reply Sepulchrave, I hadn't even considered solenoids! It looks like I need to add them to my must check list. I understand that with this particular gearbox the oil level is critical. Thanks again for you advice

Hi Briskoda forum, Although this is my first post, this forum has helped me numerous times with fault finding and repair methods. A goldmine of technical and practiacl advice, for which I thank you. I have a 2001 Fabia Combi, which has done 88,000 miles. It has the 6Y5 1.4mpi AUA engine with the ESK 4 speed auto gearbox, I believe made by Jatco. I have shared many of the same problems with you, replacing O2 lamba sensor, anti rollbar bushes, steering angle sensors etc, all solved with your assistance. But now I've come up against a problem that has me beat. I made the mistake of taking my car to a VAG main stealer here in Spain, to have the gearbox oil changed. Before someone starts to take this topic down the road of VAG stating that gearboxes are filled for life, I cannot agree with that position. Like many of your contributors, I am a time served machine tool engineer and have opened up too many dead gearboxes. Oil is always cheaper than a gearbox. Prior to the the garage visit,when cold the car would occasionally be hesitant in changing up through the box. When the engine is hot the problem only rarely occurs. I originally put that down to either clogged filter or incorrect oil level. After the oil change the gearchange problem is more pronounced. I have taken the car back the the garage twice, to have the oil level checked with the engine at the right temperature, with no success. I also know they put the correct VAG oil in the gearbox, as I saw the containers. I've lost faith in the local VAG garage here. It doesn't feel like the clutches are slipping, because the bite is strong and consistant, it feels like the management system isn't telling the box to change at the correct revs. The garage has found no fault codes registered, nor have I. Once the car is in top gear it still drives welI and I still intend driving the car back to the UK(Essex) in the spring, is there a good specialist in the Harlow area? I know there will be someone with far more experience in these matters than I, so I really would like to know your thoughts.

From various threads I understand the failure Fabia door lock mechanism is a common issue. Well it just happened to my 2001 1.4 Combi Automatic. As the experts have kindly placed several excellent posts on this site as to how to remove and replace the door locks I decided to see if a repair kit was available from a Skoda main dealer. The good news is there is and for my car the Skoda Part Nos are:- Cylinder Repair Kit 1U0898001 Barrel Repair Kit 1U0898002 One of these kits contains the new cylinder paddle and the other the new C clips. Its best to buy both. Now for the surprising bit. I bought two sets of each and the cost was just 6.30 euros or about £5.16p total. Why do you need two complete sets? some might ask. Well I work on the carried umbrella theory (then it don't rain) I also have a spare Brake Light Switch in the boot. Anyone thats had one of those go wrong knows the nightmare they cause. Particularly if you have an automatic like mine. I hope this info is of help to someone

I brought my Fabia 1 over to Spain last year and on my car there was no method to adjust the beams from RHD to LHD. To pass the ITV test had had to purchase a set of new headlights at a cost of 220 euros. At least I'm not being continually flashed now!

I live in La Marina (Nr Guardamar de Segura, Alicante province) I have a 2001 RHD Fabia 1.4 combi and did the whole operation in reverse last year. To pass the ITV, I had to purchase a set of new LHD headlights, which cost 220 euros(not OEM) I still have my original Skoda RHD headlights. Should you be thinking of buying a pair for £100 and have a method of collection, email me on [email protected]