Got a a problem starting engine.

Got petrol in sparks, got 12volts before simos 2p system, got air (took filter off), cleaned sparks, changed sparks, took coil unit off and saw sparks between all spark plugs, look ok. Its obviously turning over. Checked fuses. Reset ECU. Chargesd, battery.

Now stumped. Can anyone suggest the next thing? I've got some spare parts in my garage and was wondering if I change the alternator it might work?

If not I guess its pump the petrol out using fuel pump and then get shut.

It is almost ready to start its just doesn't quite do so. Would be nice if I could drive it to sell to someone before the fabia arrives?!!!! Can't take the skoda out of the girl but can take the girl out of a skoda!

can you be a bit more specific? if you have fuel and sparks then there's nothing else stopping it from going.

i'm assuming it's an mpi model as you have mentioned the simos system. you can rule out a dodgy crank sensor becuase there would be no sparks without it

how did you check that you are getting fuel?? does it run if you spray some easy-start in the intake?

what happens when you crank the engine?

It is almost ready to start its just doesn't quite do so. Would be nice if I could drive it to sell to someone before the fabia arrives?!!!! Can't take the skoda out of the girl but can take the girl out of a skoda!

here are some ideas out of the top of my head (im not a mechanic and i drive a Carb felicia so take it with a grain of salt)

fueling

1st. Thermostat = if the thermostat is dogy and the computer is not reading " cold " the fuel would not be adjusted to a cold start and it will not turn over from cold

2nd. crank sensor = if the crank sensor is faulty it will not send fuel through the injector and the car will not start

Spark

remove coil pack and spark plugs, refit spark plugs on coil pack without being atached to the engine (but grounded) and check for spark size and color (should look fat and bluish),

check battery to ensure enoughf charge is sent to the coilpack wile started is turning (check volts on battery terminal while turning engine, should not fall bellow 13volt)

hope it helps dude

(Note unto myself - I did have a favorit before the felly too)

Firstly thankyou cepheuz and teflontom very much for your responses.

Changed alternator (to change I would recommend daylight hours to anyone else considering it). No different. Still not starting. I've obviously reset the ECU and charged the battery again. I've only done a simple check sparks are wet everytime I remove them and the stench is that of petrol. Every time I try something different I remove the sparks let the air in the engine too and clean/dry the sparks out to give it best chance.

Thermostat has always been dodgy since the day I bought it. It always runs cold. My dad had same car and changed thermostat and then it broke again. It didn't really make that much difference for starting. They've always run like theyre forever cold. And they've always run - well until that completely died too and I've got half of it in the garage but now I've found this forum!

Quote 'Spark remove coil pack and spark plugs, refit spark plugs on coil pack without being attached to the engine (but grounded) and check for spark size and color (should look fat and bluish),' - I've done this - thats how I check I had sparks. I replaced the simos 2p pack just over a year ago which is a little annoying because its just over its 1 year guarantee. Basically when it stopped working the sparks were tiny and the engine ran but didn't like any work like hills or weight.

'check battery to ensure enough charge is sent to the coilpack wile started is turning (check volts on battery terminal while turning engine, should not fall bellow 13volt)'

Hmmmm. Might try this, and if it happens?

Yes I have 1.3 MPI. its a GLi.

when I crank the engine, starter motor goes, and the engine turns over? Unsure what else to explain. I'm of the thought that it could be timing.

Also I'm thinking of buying a vehicle diagnostics reader thingymajig for the fabia - 2004 has anyone got any recommendations on where to buy/look (wrong forum I know) and will this fit the felly?

Hope this helps with some questions.

Cheers for that update; if the plugs are coming out wet every time you try and start the car, then it's over-fuelling, and that's stopping it sparking across the plug gap.

Worn-out injector(s) are about the only thing I know that can over-fuel a cold FI engine.

And did I understand you correctly; you're female? If so, then kudos for being prepared to have a go yourself, and not just look helpless and flutter your eyelashes at a handy male! My sis pays Halfrauds to change her wiper blades for her!!

have you tried a different coil pack on there? they do get tired sometimes and you end up with a poxy little spark...

what i meant was, when you crank the engine does it spin over really easily, or does it try to start.. ie is there any compression? i was thinking along the lines of a broken timing chain....

yes a diagnostic reader for a fabia will work on a felicia, they use the same 16pin plug but the control protocol is different, any half decent diagnostics reader should be able to cope with this, felicia uses kwp1280, and fabia uses kwp2000 for those speccy sad people out there that need to know

the engine will start and run without the alternator on there, but it will run the battery down pretty quick.... so this is unrelated in this context

Edited 18 March, 201016 yr by TeflonTom

Thanks for your advice - I'm afraid I ain't got any spare injectors and insurance runs out today so I guess I sell it to a scapper - (been quoted £70 to £100) its a shame, twas my joy for 6 years and 40k miles.

I've got to get petrol out (more than half a tank). So I've opened the access plate to the fuel pump, got to connect a pipe to the one going out, drop it into a can and connect battery. ALWAYS ALWAYS remember SAFETY FIRST.

TeflonTom - alternator disconnection - yes I figured that but know I had a man who got his working after the alternator was changed, so because I had a spare I weirdly thought it worth a shot, and maybe a bit daft. Thanks for your help on diagnostics. I will have a look for the connector on the new fab for its location and buy one based on your advice. The timing chain may well be the root of my problem and I'm bending towards the idea myself but I just don't want to spend any money on the car I'm afraid.

I really appreciated all you expertise and advice received and no doubt I'll post again soon.

Edited 24 March, 201016 yr by mau408

Hi I have a felicia on a 2000 (v),1.3. I have just changed the head gasket as i was getting no compression on no.4 cylinder. after changing head gasket i turned it over and still no compression. I have turned the engine over with the rocker cover off and the inlet rod on no. 4 cylinder is not moving. I am putting this down to cam lobe wear. can anyone shed any light on this i.e. have you had the same problem and is my thinking correct. PLEASE HELP COS MY HEAD IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE!!!!!!!!!

Got a a problem starting engine.

Got petrol in sparks, got 12volts before simos 2p system, got air (took filter off), cleaned sparks, changed sparks, took coil unit off and saw sparks between all spark plugs, look ok. Its obviously turning over. Checked fuses. Reset ECU. Chargesd, battery.

Now stumped. Can anyone suggest the next thing? I've got some spare parts in my garage and was wondering if I change the alternator it might work?

If not I guess its pump the petrol out using fuel pump and then get shut.

It is almost ready to start its just doesn't quite do so. Would be nice if I could drive it to sell to someone before the fabia arrives?!!!! Can't take the skoda out of the girl but can take the girl out of a skoda!

I had this problem with my 1.3 Mpi, changed the temperature sensor (£10 off ebay), instant cure.