Hi all,

My nice blue Fabia has finally decided to have its first tantrum! :yes: -> :(

Tried to take my nephew and his mother home in the Fabia this afternoon. Car unlocked fine and the indicator lights winked to show that it had received my instruction to unlock. Got in, put key in ignition and turned it. What I subsequently got was:

- Engine turned over, started and ran for a second or two before giving up. This was also the result even if I pressed the accelerator lightly.

- the maxidot displays on my dashboard don't come on. The radio and air conditioning come on as normal.

- if you turn the headlights on, the lights on the front come on and the interior buttons light up, as do the displays on the radio and the air conditioning. Neither the numbers, or dials, or maxidot displays light up though.

- interior lights on the car's ceiling work fine.

I had a look under the bonnet. Everything seems as it should be under there.

My Father also watched me trying to start it. He thinks the fuel feed is at fault. I, however, reckon the alternator. But surely the petrol feed shouldn't pack up quite so soon so the cause, I presume, has to be electrical. Anyone out there have any ideas? Replies gladly received. :wonder:

Car is a Fabia 3 Hatchback with TDI engine.

Cheers.

Dave

Edited 9 January, 201115 yr by DaveHarries

Have you had the car checked for possible fault codes via VAGCOM

No I haven't. I didn't drive the car yesterday. My Mum was the last person to drive it on Friday. How do I access VAGCOM to get the check done?

Dave

Dave, I doubt this is anything too serious, but obviously, it's inconvenient. Check to see what fuse the Maxidot is on. I don't have that in my Fabia level 2 and I'm not in a position at this time to tell you. I suspect it could be a fuse and it's breaking the sensor feedback loop to the ecu and it shuts the engine down (kills the fuel supply) as it knows something is wrong. To get it checked by VAGCOM you need your dealer unless you have access to this specialised piece of equipment. Please post back on this. I may be wrong of course it could be other things, but based upon what you say I reckon it's a fair guess. Good luck mate!

You could call Skoda Assist if the car is in warranty.

Edited 9 January, 201115 yr by Estate Man

Sounds like it could be Engine Management system as I guess that sends information to the Maxi-dot display.

An alternator fault should not stop the car running until battery discharged.

I too hope you still have warranty.

Hi all,

Thanks very much for your replies. A small update though.

Things have now got slightly more weird! I unlocked my Fabia to get the black folder (which contains operating instructions, warranty info, etc.) and when I opened the door the maxidot displays came on. Hardly daring to believe it I put the ignition on and the car started perfectly and ran until I turned the ignition off. Something is definitely odd here and I will get onto Skoda about it in the morning.

Would a VAGCOM run pick up an electrics fault? Probably a silly question. Also can I take it to a dealer (I have two in Bristol but the car was purchased in Newport, South Wales) and get the VAGCOM done without making an appointment to do so?

As for warranty, the dealership where I got the car gave me an extended warranty (for free) that runs through to August 2011 so no problems there.

Cheers.

Dave

Edited 10 January, 201115 yr by DaveHarries

Maybe just a one off electrical gremlin. Keep us posted if any more weirdness.

Good luck

Edited 10 January, 201115 yr by Bullyboy

Hello Dave,

Yes...you car has a 'KAM' (Keep Alive Memory) in the ECU and should have recorded any fault. Any Skoda dealership will be able to VAGCOM it for you and should be able to trace the fault from the code the computer gives them. Just call one of the dealers to see who can fit you in first. Normally an appointment is needed but if it's urgent most will always try to see you asap or right away.

Edited 10 January, 201115 yr by Estate Man

Hi all,

Thanks very much for your replies. A small update though.

Things have now got slightly more weird! I unlocked my Fabia to get the black folder (which contains operating instructions, warranty info, etc.) and when I opened the door the maxidot displays came on. Hardly daring to believe it I put the ignition on and the car started perfectly and ran until I turned the ignition off. Something is definitely odd here and I will get onto Skoda about it in the morning.

Would a VAGCOM run pick up an electrics fault? Probably a silly question. Also can I take it to a dealer (I have two in Bristol but the car was purchased in Newport, South Wales) and get the VAGCOM done without making an appointment to do so?

As for warranty, the dealership where I got the car gave me an extended warranty (for free) that runs through to August 2011 so no problems there.

Cheers.

Dave

So a gremlin and hopefully a code scan will show something as if there is a next time you might not be at home.

Damp in a connection is a possible cause.

Does the maxidot display normally come on when you open the door or only when key inserted into the steering lock?

Since I'm waiting for my Fabia I don't know what is normal. On my A4 the two small displays with odometer and clock come on when drivers door is opened but the big information screen with diagnostics, radio station, mpg etc doesn't come on until key inserted and turned to ignition position.

Pleased you have warranty for 6+months to try and get this sorted.

So a gremlin and hopefully a code scan will show something as if there is a next time you might not be at home.

Damp in a connection is a possible cause.

Does the maxidot display normally come on when you open the door or only when key inserted into the steering lock?

Since I'm waiting for my Fabia I don't know what is normal. On my A4 the two small displays with odometer and clock come on when drivers door is opened but the big information screen with diagnostics, radio station, mpg etc doesn't come on until key inserted and turned to ignition position.

Pleased you have warranty for 6+months to try and get this sorted.

Thanks for your replies.

Firstly, in regards to the Maxidots, I find they come on when a door is opened. There are two maxidots - as per the A4 - with the top one giving the time and mileage readings and the bottom one, which is larger, displaying menus, etc.

A further update though: I took the Fabia out last night to go and visit a friend and found that I had an Airbag Fault which was indicated by the Maxidot and by the warning light. Vehicle is now booked into Capitol, Newport for Wednesday morning. Was told by the service department bloke that I spoke to that my warranty will cover parts and labour so it sounds like the only cost I will incur will be travel to / from Capitol (bus to town centre, train to Bristol).

Will post back when I get some idea of what the problem was. Car should be at Newport for a couple of days.

Dave

Edited 11 January, 201115 yr by DaveHarries

Went and picked up my Fabia this morning and got home about an hour ago with no problems at all. The problem, as I understand it, was nothing more than an electrical connection or two. All fixed under warranty. Good to have the car back.

Dave

Pleased to hear all sorted.

I hope they did more than just fiddle with connections so minimising risk of fault happening again.