We have a 51 Registered Octavia 1.9td Ambiente automatic, now showing 91,000 miles. We started getting intermittent starting problems in July last year and have subsequently had a new starter motor, new ignition switch, new temperature guage sensor and replaced relay 17? (old relay and bill in UK so not sure of the final digit). Our dealers report no faults showing on diagnostics and each time we have had the car to them when it does not start, it starts for them (or the AA).

All warning lights come on and go off and when the key is turned- nothing. No engine turnover. Opinion is veering towards a sticky relay somewhere. The problem seems to occur when the car has stood in hot sunshine for a period (previously driven or not). If left long enough (sometimes with door and bonnet open) it then starts. The problem still persists and we are now in Portugal and the weather is warming up and the problem is getting more frequent.

Friends have suggested a faulty earth connection from the battery but we do not know where the earth lead connects to the car frame. Our undertray did get loose when travelling down from Bibao but has subsequently been secured. Could the tray banging about interfere with the earth connection?

The only real time we need the car to start is when boarding the Ferry to go home in April, otherwise we go with the flow in the Portuguese way and relax until it starts.

Any genius's out there who can help? You can probably tell that we are not technical!

We have a 51 Registered Octavia 1.9td Ambiente automatic, now showing 91,000 miles. We started getting intermittent starting problems in July last year and have subsequently had a new starter motor, new ignition switch, new temperature guage sensor and replaced relay 17? (old relay and bill in UK so not sure of the final digit). Our dealers report no faults showing on diagnostics and each time we have had the car to them when it does not start, it starts for them (or the AA).

All warning lights come on and go off and when the key is turned- nothing. No engine turnover. Opinion is veering towards a sticky relay somewhere. The problem seems to occur when the car has stood in hot sunshine for a period (previously driven or not). If left long enough (sometimes with door and bonnet open) it then starts. The problem still persists and we are now in Portugal and the weather is warming up and the problem is getting more frequent.

Friends have suggested a faulty earth connection from the battery but we do not know where the earth lead connects to the car frame. Our undertray did get loose when travelling down from Bibao but has subsequently been secured. Could the tray banging about interfere with the earth connection?

The only real time we need the car to start is when boarding the Ferry to go home in April, otherwise we go with the flow in the Portuguese way and relax until it starts.

Any genius's out there who can help? You can probably tell that we are not technical!

I have exactly this problem and I have trawled the internet to find a solution but to no avail!!! My car will start fist time several times and then it will not start

for several turns of the key even though all dash lights are clear. I get the feeling its a relay but which one? and where? I can hear contacts coming in so I

guess its under the dash!!! Help!!!!!! Please

maybe relay 17 = the relay known as "109" (due to the numbering on the end of it)