Hi,

I have a skoda octavia 1.9 tdi 2001 recently the TCS symbol light was constantly on eventually leading a problem whereby car did not fire up when the engine is attempted to start. Had the heater plugs changed but that has made no difference. Took it to a car electrician but the mechanic was not able to read anything from the engine management system. The engine starts up when the easy start spray is applied, am thinking could the van aaken box interfere?? i will try unplugging tomorrow but in the meanwhile please can you share any thoughts??

regards

You could try looking at Relay 109 as this is a fairly common fault and will prevent the car from starting.

I think that they get a dry joint inside which causes them to fail.

You could try looking at Relay 109 as this is a fairly common fault and will prevent the car from starting.

I think that they get a dry joint inside which causes them to fail.

sorry to be ignorant i am new to skoda and forum what is Relay 109?

Many Thanks

Edited 20 January, 201016 yr by momon121

I think that it controls the fuel pump and possible a few other things too.

It is located in the relay board behind the lower dash on the drivers side.

thank you so much

You can find more info doing a VW Relay 109 search. Also do a Google search for SEAT Relay 109, Skoda Relay 109 and AUDI Relay 109

I found the following info on another forum:

What is Relay 109?

When you turn the key on in a TDI the relay marked 109 closes and supplies power to the engine computer and some other things. MOGolf provides a complete list of all the things powered by this relay here. All TDIs from 1996 to 2003 have this relay. In 2001 the design was updated and solved a lot of the problems.

What is the failure mode?

When this relay quits working the engine computer doesn't get power. If the engine computer isn't powered the engine will not run. The engine will simply crank and crank and crank. If the relay fails while the engine is running the engine will shut off just like you had turned off the key. When the key is turned the glow plug light will not come on and go out: The glow plug light coming on is the ECU's indication that it is powered up and working properly. If the connection only breaks for a moment you will feel the engine cut out, and see the glow plug light come on for a moment because the engine computer was just rebooted.

How do you fix it?

Replacement is the best method. You can get a replacement relay at many online vendors or at a VW parts counter. The part number is 1J0 906 381 A. The relay simply pulls out.

You can see the relay looking between the steering column and the dash trim.

Please note that a replacement relay may be a different color (Grey or Black) than your original, and the lettering may be upside down. Be sure to plug it in the same direction as the original one.

Why does it fail?

Some of the early relays have poor quality solder connections inside. The connections crack and intermentenly work. This is why sometimes waiting can get the car to restart. The contacts themselves can also go bad. The new, updated parts have larger contacts and better solder joints to prevent failures.

If this can cause the engine to stall, not start, etc, why wasn't it recalled?

Your guess is as good as mine...

Is there any way to prevent the failure of this relay?

As was already stated, VW fixed this problem quietly in 2001. The updated part is gray, and has 109 printed upside down relative to the older black units. The picture of the CEII fuse box above shows an OEM updated relay, the image of the original one fitted to my 99.5 shows one of the problematic ones. If you find your car has one of the original black units it would be a good idea to replace it for an updated one. The cost is very minimal and replacement is easy.

Note that some new aftermarket relays have a black case, even though they have the updated design.

Good luck,

Isaac

.

Edited 20 January, 201016 yr by Turbo_Boss

I found the following info on another forum:

What is it?

When you turn the key on in a TDI the relay marked 109 closes and supplies power to the engine computer and some other things. MOGolf provides a complete list of all the things powered by this relay here. All TDIs from 1996 to 2003 have this relay. In 2001 the design was updated and solved a lot of the problems.

What is the failure mode?

When this relay quits working the engine computer doesn't get power. If the engine computer isn't powered the engine will not run. The engine will simply crank and crank and crank. If the relay fails while the engine is running the engine will shut off just like you had turned off the key. When the key is turned the glow plug light will not come on and go out: The glow plug light coming on is the ECU's indication that it is powered up and working properly. If the connection only breaks for a moment you will feel the engine cut out, and see the glow plug light come on for a moment because the engine computer was just rebooted.

How do you fix it?

Replacement is the best method. You can get a replacement relay at many online vendors or at a VW parts counter. The part number is 1J0 906 381 A. The relay simply pulls out.

You can see the relay looking between the steering column and the dash trim.

Please note that a replacement relay may be a different color (Grey or Black) than your original, and the lettering may be upside down. Be sure to plug it in the same direction as the original one.

Why does it fail?

Some of the early relays have poor quality solder connections inside. The connections crack and intermentenly work. This is why sometimes waiting can get the car to restart. The contacts themselves can also go bad. The new, updated parts have larger contacts and better solder joints to prevent failures.

If this can cause the engine to stall, not start, etc, why wasn't it recalled?

Your guess is as good as mine...

Is there any way to prevent the failure of this relay?

As was already stated, VW fixed this problem quietly in 2001. The updated part is gray, and has 109 printed upside down relative to the older black units. The picture of the CEII fuse box above shows an OEM updated relay, the image of the original one fitted to my 99.5 shows one of the problematic ones. If you find your car has one of the original black units it would be a good idea to replace it for an updated one. The cost is very minimal and replacement is easy.

Note that some new aftermarket relays have a black case, even though they have the updated design.

would that explain why it starts with an easy spray cannister? is the component easy to fix? please could you kindly provide me with some links where i can purchase it from it would mean so much i desparately need to get the car moving am so happy that you have advised me on this. Am i able to pick this part up from any part shop?

If the 109 relay had failed, I doubt the easy-start can would help - unless you sprayed the relay and shorted it out!

VAG dealer is probably your best bet for a 109 relay, or you could try your luck at a scrap yard, but probably not worth it!

do you mean it will start and continue running once started with easy start. i would look at the timing belt end of things then in that case and check its still timed up correctly (can be done in vagcom)

usually a pump timing fault that prevents starting

honestly once the easy spray was used it was working perfectly but once the engine is switched off then it wont starts, do you think the van aaken box has anything to do with it??

do you think the van aaken box has anything to do with it??

Being you have mentioned it twice, it suggests you think it might. It can't do any harm to disconnect the box and see what happens.

yes for what it takes to disconnect it , give it a try but mine doesn't actually work for a few secnds after the engine starts

I'd agee, and interceptor, even a reputable one like a Van Aaken, is always an extra unknown when doing diagnostics, particularly when those attempting the diagnostics don't even know it's been fitted!

just handed the car over to the deisel specialist, they have tried unplugging the van aaken box and its the same problem. The mechanic tried hooking up his computer but it could not communicate with with EMS. He suspects it could be down to the wiring of the radio as the original has been replaced with a sony. I will have to see what the problem is and hopefully i will share it you lovely people.

29/01/10-------------------------------------------------------------------------

car fixed and driving like a dream....

the boys at Reedley Service Centre, Nelson have done a great job at a cost of £690, reconditioned cluster fitted now communication with ecu ok, cambelt loose and faulty tensioner which has now been replaced and correctly adjusted.....

who would have ever imagined that it was an issue with the cambelt... sometimes it pays to go to an expert... a big shout to you boys here.. you have shown much love on this forum...

Edited 29 January, 201016 yr by momon121