I have done a breif search, but apoligised if I missed anything!

Anyway, I have a 2001 1.4 16v Fabia. Today I went to start it, and it started to start as normal, then failed to catch. Now it cranks over, but doesn't fire.

After cranking it for a few seconds, the oil light and related beeping comes on. The oil level isn't low as it was filled at the weekend. After a few seconds of stopping the cranking, it goes out, but still doesn't start.

I don't have access to a fault code scanner so can't scan it, or take it anywhere, but if anyone has ideas as to the problem I would be grateful.

(It does have fuel by the way!)

Thanks, Joe

*Edit*

I dunno if the engine and EPC lights are a casue of an error, as they won't go off as the engine won't start, but the EGR was cleaned recently, and it's been fine until now.

Edited 21 July, 200916 yr by TriggerFish
Addition

Had the same thing on mine, think the light comes on because the oil doesn't get up to pressure with out the engine actually starting.

Turned out to be the fuel pump relay.

Has it started since? It was intermittent on mine.

Yeah, just checked the pump (some more searching). Started eventally in a massive cloud of blue smoke, then almost stalled it self (dropped to around 400-500rmp) and then stabilised. Tried again, same thing - took it out round the block and it runs OK, but the starter motor grunches on disengaugement which it used to do (cleaned the motor off in the winter).

It sounded kinda like the starter motor sliped out of place the first time as it started firing, then stopped (but I doubt this happened).

Sorry for rambling - Joe.

Sounds like you flooded it the first time and then when it eventually did start it was smoking due to the extra fuel in the system.

If the revs become unstable and it groans into life as it fires then could easily be the coolant temp sensor... I had that too!

As you crank it'll seem to get slow and slower and then. gradually and unwillingly start to fire up at extremely low and lumpy revs..

This faults intermittent too.. but yeah, that used to cause all kinds a carp to come out the back..

Mine used to do the crunchy starter motor noise too! didn't do it all that much so never sorted but did read on here it's the release bearing.. think there's a fix-ish somewhere on here too..

Just for notes.. mine was a 2001 1.4 16v 100bhp

Right, quick update.

Got back from the cinema (Bruno - but prefer Borat!) and started it up and it was running fine again. Its still doing the starter motor thing. The first time I fixed it was due to a dust build up from the clutch, so cleaned the cog and it worked.

This time however, I didn't realise the car had started (sounded really odd/rough), so kept the motor engauged a bit too long - is it possible that this has caused damage to the actaul motor? (It was revved slightly at the same time as it was engauged, trying to get it to catch.)

I don't think there is anything wrong with the coolant sensor or anything, it's mainly fine now (bar the starter motor), just a funny 5 minutes.

Thanks for all your help so far - Joe

I didn't realise the car had started (sounded really odd/rough),

I don't think there is anything wrong with the coolant sensor or anything, it's mainly fine now (bar the starter motor), just a funny 5 minutes.

Glad to hear it's ok again now, but if it comes back then seriously, check the output from the coolant sensor it's an incredibly common fault that is intermittent but gets worse and worse. When mine went my mechanic explained that it causes the car to over and under fuel (because it thinks it's cold out, then hot, then normal, then cold etc etc).. and this causes rich and lean mixing which creates the situation with the slow odd/rough start.. like trying to start an older car with the choke pulled out..

I know what you mean by wondering if you'd held the starter on too long, it sounds like it's trying to start but is still using the motor to turn and it gradually gradually picks up speed until it fully takes.

Hopefully your right and it was "just a moment"... my vRS wouldn't start one day on the 1st try.. pulled the key out and the tried again and it's been fine ever since. (that was over 6 months ago).... When it did it though I was sat thinking "Nooooo, I bought this one to get rid of the troubelsome one"