cadnan

I have a similar problem with my car and it is discussed in a different thread. I've changed temp sensor but that didn't make any difference. I was suggested to change a camshaft position sensor (CPS) and will do that pretty soon. But, what I wanted to write here is that in my situation I've found a way how to start a car even if it doesn't want to start. This morning I've managed to run it from the first shot and this never, NEVER happen to me in the morning. Usually, I need at least 4-5 tries before it will start. This is the procedure: 1. when you turn the key to the final position nothing happens 2. don't turn back key immediately to off position 3. try to go back with your key VERY slowly and your car will start 4. release the key I don't have a clear explanation why is this and for which problem you have to do like this, but in my case it works.. Yesterday I couldn't start the car after almost 10 tries. Then, accidentally, I've pulled this off. Today, I went to car and tried this first time and it turned on. It would be great if someone could comment on this one! I guess this just confirms problem with CPS?

I've changed mine without draining coolant NOR topping it up! After that I was driving for at least 1000 km and works just fine.

Hi lonewolfmiles and welcome to briskoda.net As you can notice I'm also new here but that doesn't stop us from helping out each other. First, congratulations on your new Fabia! I hope you will be able to drive it for many more kilometres without any troubles. Regarding your questions, let me try to assist you: 1. I didn't manage also to find a good service/repair manual online, but I'm considering to get a Haynes Skoda Fabia manual. Try searching for it on amazon! 2. I am using a shareware version 409.1 of VAG-COM from ross-tech.com and I got a cable from local ebay site here in Sweden. Maybe you should try and go to global.ebay.com and get sellers which are sending items to africa. I really don't have experience with this.

* update * I'm back from a 900km trip to Göteborg and back with some driving in the city itself. Nice place to go for a visit (and I guess for living too!). Liked very much. What I liked more is that my Fabia was a very good girl (is it common to consider it a girl? ) 'She' was starting the engine without any problems at any time I needed. When I get back from the trip, I've done diagnostic and there were nothing. Wow.. I was satisfied, until this morning :( Nope, my Fabia doesn't like the mornings. Same problem, only after four five tries it will start. Anyway, I've ordered CPS and will see how will that go, but wanted to write this down for the future problem researchers. In the meantime, anyone have a pointer to a tutorial on changing CPS? Thanks!

Exactly, it looks like ECU doesn't give a **** that you want to start your engine! And once it decide to let you go with it, you can fire without any problems. Lights on dash are completely normal. Anyhow, I've ordered CPS and we will see how will that go. I would also do another diagnostic today to check if some fault pop up. Thanks a lot guys, really great community here!

I've cleared error codes last week to see if they will come back, but they never appeared again and I'm like doing vag-com diagnostic every day. Will do today also. Camshaft Position Sensor is reachable from front bottom of engine and I guess it shouldn't be a problem to change it, but I don't know is it possible that bad values from this sensor can stop me from turning engine on? Anyhow, I didn't notice some problems during driving, specially not the stop of engine! Only this starting and unstable idle rpm.

* update * I was looking on this forum for posts on the same starting problem with fabia, and found out that one solution could be changing coolant temp. sensor. Since, I've had previously a fault registered by VAG-COM on the same sensor, I've decided to go for a change. I've bought it during the day yesterday, but didn't want to change it immediately since car was starting without any problems. I was waiting for a moment when it's not going to start, and that is in the morning. So, this morning at 06:00 AM I went to my car on parking and of course it doesn't want to start. Once, twice, nothing.. Then I change the sensor, and try again, ... nothing once, nothing twice, third time it starts.. I turn it off, try again, nothing, nothing, nothing, start.. Then I decide to go for a drive just to see if sensor is actually working. After 13km on highway, I went back to my parking, car has it's working temperature, arrow is pointing fine, I turn off the car, start again nothing, nothing, nothing, start! At 07:25 I went again (but this time to actually go for a job) and it start first time. I will watch its behaviour for the next three days when I'm away for small holiday, and give you more updates on Monday. In the mean time, anyone have any kind of proposal what to look for? Can someone tell me how is car behaving when engine starter is getting worse? I have a small suspicion that he might be a problem, but still it doesn't sound like that. When car doesn't want to start it's just like dead, not a single 'klik', but when it "decide" to start, it's very normal start.

* Update * I've decided yesterday to change coolant temp sensor but prior doing that I wanted to clear error codes and see if they will popup again. Guess what, they didn't! I did a nice 20 min drive, and than one more 20 min drive but nothing. No errors. That sounds great! But,.... But this morning my car was struggling to start. Did anyone had experience when you turn the key, absolutely nothing change in car behaviour, not even a 'tick'? But after 3-4 tries car start like it's suppose too and drive is just fine (except rpm fluctations on idle that still exists). I would assume battery is fine. I cannot claim that 100% but from my previous car experience, if you have problems with battery you won't start after 5 tries. So, that leaves us with .... ? Thanks guys for all the help! p.s. I've just realized I'm writing in a wrong forum section :( My apologies for that..

Thanks everyone for nice welcome!

Thanks "auroan" for quick reply. Yes, I would agree the same that fixing CPS fault will remove fluctuations. Problem is that I have to investigate weather this is a problem with the actual sensor or with timing (as per: ross-tech). Any idea on how to do this? Where would this sensor be located?

Hi, Few days ago I've become an owner of used Fabia 2003, 1.4 MPI, 71000km. It drives fine, but when idle it's a bit "pulsating" if I can put it that way. rpm arrow is not steady and I would say it moves from 600-900 rpm. So, I've decided to connect to VAG-COM and this is what I got: Address 01: Engine 2 Faults Found: 16500 - Engine Coolant Temp. Sensor (G62): Implausible Signal P0116 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent 16725 - Camshaft Position Sensor (G40): Implausible Signal P0341 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent Address 03: ABS Brakes 1 Fault Found: 01314 - Engine Control Module 79-10 - Please Check Fault Codes - Intermittent So, changing a coolant sensor is one action I would say (anyone to point me where it is exactly?), but what about this CPS ? Any comment is very appreciate. Thanks, +adnan

Hi everyone, I'm not a Swedish person, but I live and work in nearby area of Stockholm. Few days ago I've bought a used Skoda Fabia 2003, 1.4 MPI Classic, 71000km, one owner, red Drive is smooth and nice, but I did found some faults using VAG-COM. That we can discuss in a different thread. So, once again, hello everyone!