Octavia clicking + starting problems

[planetpeckham]

Octavia SLX TDI Sept 2000

Hello all, new on here, just moved to Spain with my trustworthy Skoda (only done 46K despite the age) and now it's developed an annoying fault. If I was back in UK I'd take it to my trusted mechanic but out here I'd like to at least have a clue what the problem is be before trying an unknown garage.

Intermittent fault. Most of the time the car starts and runs fine, however, occasionally when you turn key all you get is the what sounds like a relay clicking somewhere behind fuse box/ steering column. Just about all the lights on the instrument panel flash, the rev counter goes up and down, if the wipers are on they kind of jerk across the screen in tiny movements (in time with relay clicking) - all haywire! Leave the car for a while - 10 mins / 2 hours - it starts and runs fine again.

Battery (& connections) seem fine. Tightened earth to engine block. Cleaned terminals of 3x30A fuses on battery connection cover. Pulled out and reseated fuses in main fuse box.

I've looked back at threads mentioning relay clicking but haven't managed to find one where the car won't start.

Any suggestions are gratefully received!

Tony

[rwbaldwin]

Sounds like the ECU or X contact relay which are located on the relay plate under the lower dash panel.

[planetpeckham]

Thanks for that, rwb. I'm wondering if it's worth me ordering a Haynes manual to identify what is what over the net and having a go myself.

Sorry for my cluelessness (I used to do all my own mechanics up until the days of a mark II Escort - things have changed a bit since then!), but would most garages have the type of diagnostic machine that might possibly identify the fault, or would I have to go to a Skoda, VAG dealer for this service?

Obviously, I'd rather do it myself and save a few Euros....!

[rwbaldwin]

Haynes manuals are not what they used to be, however, they do give you an idea of where things are and how to get to them.

In this case, if you remove the plastic dash panel immediately above the pedals, you can see the relay plate. All the relays have a number stamped on them. My guess it is relay 109.

[planetpeckham]

Cheers, would I find the ECU there too?

[rwbaldwin]

Relay 109 is the ECU relay, however, the ECU itself is under the RHS plennum cover.

[planetpeckham]

Continued thanks rwb.

Unfortuntely the car is now stranded about 10 miles away and I had to borrow a car to look at it - not showing any signs of starting now, so the GOOD NEWS is that it's no longer an intermittent fault!!

It was indeed the 109 relay that was clicking. I pulled the relay out and turned the ignition and this time the dash lights lit normally (no flashing with the rev counter going up & down) - although obviously it didn't turn over!

So I suppose the question is: is the 109 making the ECU crazy or is the ECU making the 109 crazy?

I tried to have a look at the ECU but couldn't budge the windscreen wipers - seized on with nothing to lever against to prize them off ...any tips anyone?? The leading rubber edge of plennum cover itself is badly perished - this looks like it may lead to the ECU housing getting soaked in the wet. Also there was a compost heap worth of dead leaves etc half burying the ECU housing!

I think I'll have a go replacing the 109 & if that's not it, throw in the towel and call a garage to tow it in.

[trundlenut]

I would think the 109 relay is probably the cause of the problem as it is a mechanical item rather than the ECU.

When I got a new 109 relay the dealer had no idea what I was talking about despite it having 109 stamped on it in big FO numbers.

The seized wiper arms is a common problem, you can by a tool specifically for removing the wiper arms from Machinemart in the UK but no idea about Spain.

[planetpeckham]

Thanks Trundle, I'll try and get a 109 on Monday and let you know how I get on.

[trundlenut]

You could try the old drop method on the relay (take it out and drop it from about four feet) - it used to work on the indicator relays in a mini.

[planetpeckham]

OK, I hope this winds-up the story of my non-starting Octavia.

Managed to find a new 109 relay, plugged it in and the same clicking, flashing dashboard lights, tacho / speedo needles all over the place.

Asked a Spanish friend to recommend a local garage - they came out with a recovery vehicle and diagnosed a dodgy battery....they were right:O!

Apologies for saying in the OP that "battery seems fine"..... I said this because when it was an intermittent fault, when the car did turn over and start the battery seemed lively. When it didn't start, I tried to jump it with another diesel car revved-up with no joy. My only excuse is that I'm used to a battery slowly degrading - ie labouring to turn the engine, needing to go on a long run to charge up, etc. Not working intermittently and then giving up completely and showing the symptoms I have described.

Anyhow, I hope this experience may help some future mechanically needy poster on this fantastic forum. Thanks again to those who have taken the time to reply to me.

The good news is that the Spanish garage didn't charge me for any recovery despite coming out in the crane - so I think I've found a friendly garage in my new home-town.

Cheers, Tony

[DGW]

Good to hear it is sorted.