We have a 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.2 petrol AZB engine. It has been superb so far but over the last few months it has failed to start a few times. It was always after the engine was warm. The engine would turn over fine but just not fire. Eventually after five to ten minutes the engine would start and everything would be fine for a week or so and then it wouldn’t start again.
I do my own diagnostics with VAGCom lite software which is superb, saved a lot of garage costs. There was a fault with the engine coolant temperature sensor. I read on the internet that this can cause starting problems so I bought a new sensor on ebay for £7.50 and changed it. Very easy to do:
The sensor is at the top of the engine block on the side between the engine block and the battery, located on the large water pipe from the radiator. Remove the filter box on top of the engine for access. Remove the two wire cable connection on the sensor. The engine must be completely cold and remove the cap of the cooling water tank to make sure there is no pressure in the system. With the new sensor and O ring ready quickly remove the old sensor and O ring and put in the new O ring and sensor. I didn’t bother draining down the engine and only lost about 500ml of water and just topped up the tank. Reconnect the cable and that’s it.
Hopefully that will resolve the starting problem.
The sensor part number is 06A919501.
Of course check and clean the cable connection first!
