Hi All, I'd like to call on your learned collective knowledge........ I've got a 2000 1.4 MPI Fabia and have been very pleased with it so far. A couple of days ago (after heavy rain and flooded roads) the engine warning light has came up on the dash, I did all the standard checks oil, water etc and all seem fine. As well as this (related?) the car doesn't start well from cold now, it stalls and splutters for the first few minuites but runs fine after this. I've booked her in for a diagnostic check at the stealership but was wondering if anyone has experienced similar/has any obvious answers. Thanks in advance.

Hi All, I'd like to call on your learned collective knowledge........ I've got a 2000 1.4 MPI Fabia and have been very pleased with it so far. A couple of days ago (after heavy rain and flooded roads) the engine warning light has came up on the dash, I did all the standard checks oil, water etc and all seem fine. As well as this (related?) the car doesn't start well from cold now, it stalls and splutters for the first few minuites but runs fine after this. I've booked her in for a diagnostic check at the stealership but was wondering if anyone has experienced similar/has any obvious answers. Thanks in advance.

do you mean the engine management light? http://www.cheltandglosautocentre.co.uk/images/eng_man_light.jpg

If so it's more than likely a sensor, lumpy cold start id probably say either lambda or a MAF sensor but could be anything really, coolant temp sensor causes rough idle and starting in some cases

look who is local with VCDS VAG-COM and they can do exactly what they dealer can do, you can even get the free one for your car, all you need to do is buy a cable

do you mean the engine management light? http://www.cheltandglosautocentre.co.uk/images/eng_man_light.jpg

If so it's more than likely a sensor, lumpy cold start id probably say either lambda or a MAF sensor but could be anything really, coolant temp sensor causes rough idle and starting in some cases

look who is local with VCDS VAG-COM and they can do exactly what they dealer can do, you can even get the free one for your car, all you need to do is buy a cable

Hi Lew, yes thats the light on the dash.

I was considering buying one of those cables and downloading software to my laptop, are they easy to use if so where is the socket?

I'm based in Southbourne West Sussex. Would be great if theres somone local.....

Hi Lew, yes thats the light on the dash.

I was considering buying one of those cables and downloading software to my laptop, are they easy to use if so where is the socket?

I'm based in Southbourne West Sussex. Would be great if theres somone local.....

Hi,

I think (don't quote me on this) the fabia is the same area as the octavia, to the right of the steering wheel underneath all of the lighting switches, it's a purple coloured connector.. if not I had a search and found this, but this is from a 2005 model

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/104579-fabia-vag-connector-socket-location/page__p__1295751__hl__fabia%20OBD%20location__fromsearch__1entry1295751

The software is very intuitive and is greatly easy to use.

If you aren't sure have a look on the VCDS location and try to find someone local to you

Hi,

I think (don't quote me on this) the fabia is the same area as the octavia, to the right of the steering wheel underneath all of the lighting switches, it's a purple coloured connector.. if not I had a search and found this, but this is from a 2005 model

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/104579-fabia-vag-connector-socket-location/page__p__1295751__hl__fabia%20OBD%20location__fromsearch__1entry1295751

The software is very intuitive and is greatly easy to use.

If you aren't sure have a look on the VCDS location and try to find someone local to you

Thank you, what an excellent resource.... I'm checking the list now

Won't be the MAF, as it doesn't have one, but could be the MAP. I'd say coolant temps sensor is a good bet, but this should also stop your temperature gauge working (sometimes intermittently).

£42 later (30 mins work from the stealership) and it's a cracked thermostat housing. I've been quoted £126 for the fitted part...... I found a replacement part for £37, so is it a tricky job? I've got experience working on cars but it's mostly servicing and minor repair.... are there any walk throughs?

I didn't do a walk-through to supplement my sensor TG, as I couldn't find an easier way of doing it than in Haynes!

But if you can bear it just in text (no pictures), here's what to do:

1. Put the car on ramps or axle stands (or two wheels on the kerb if you're skinny!), and remove the expansion tank lid and coolant temperature sensor;
   
2. Take off the undertray to allow access to the radiator drain tap, and empty coolant into a clean bucket until you can't see any inside the thermostat housing through the temperature sensor port (or drain it completely if it's been in five years or more);
   
3. Unclip the hoses from the 'outboard' section of the thermostat housing, and undo the three screws to remove it;
   
4. Replace the O-Ring and put the new section of thermostat housing on - the screws don't need to be tight at all - just enough to stop it leaking;
   
5. Put the car back together and top-up / refill with coolant;
   
6. Do what you'd normally do to purge airlocks and go on your way!
   

HTH

You may get away without removing the undertray if you have small hands, and if you're draining the system completely to put new coolant it, it is quicker to unclip the bottom radiator hose rather than bother with the tap. While the system's drained (partially or completely) you may want to spend another 12 quid on a new expansion tank and put that on as well, to pre-empt problems with the level sensor...

I didn't do a walk-through to supplement my sensor TG, as I couldn't find an easier way of doing it than in Haynes!

But if you can bear it just in text (no pictures), here's what to do:

1. Put the car on ramps or axle stands (or two wheels on the kerb if you're skinny!), and remove the expansion tank lid and coolant temperature sensor;
   
2. Take off the undertray to allow access to the radiator drain tap, and empty coolant into a clean bucket until you can't see any inside the thermostat housing through the temperature sensor port (or drain it completely if it's been in five years or more);
   
3. Unclip the hoses from the 'outboard' section of the thermostat housing, and undo the three screws to remove it;
   
4. Replace the O-Ring and put the new section of thermostat housing on - the screws don't need to be tight at all - just enough to stop it leaking;
   
5. Put the car back together and top-up / refill with coolant;
   
6. Do what you'd normally do to purge airlocks and go on your way!
   

HTH

You may get away without removing the undertray if you have small hands, and if you're draining the system completely to put new coolant it, it is quicker to unclip the bottom radiator hose rather than bother with the tap. While the system's drained (partially or completely) you may want to spend another 12 quid on a new expansion tank and put that on as well, to pre-empt problems with the level sensor...

Thank you ap0gee, I'll let you know how I get on.