This evening I had to perform an emergency stop, the abs kicked in, thankfully I stopped in time and the kid that ran into the road to collect his ball will live to see another day!

However when I stopped the car stalled, possibly because I didn't press the clutch in, but more than likely it was probably some kind of fuel cut safety feature.

Anyway I immediately tried to restart the car and nothing. No engine turning over, no starter motor clicking. It was odd as I haven't had any issues like this with this car before. Anyway I checked the battery connections first - both were fine. I then took the engine cover off and checked that all the electrical connectors were plugged in - they were.

I then thought I would try jump starting the vehicle just in case the battery was somehow flat (I knew it wasn't but just wanted to be 100% sure) - nothing happened. I then tried disconnecting the negative battery lead for a few seconds in the hope of resetting any silly electronics that might have been preventing the car from doing it's thing, I tried to start the car again and still nothing.

I then had a thought, as I was on a hill I let it go back in reverse gear with the clutch in and basically lifted the clutch to engage the gear while turning the ignition. The engine started and stayed on, I then turned it off again to put the engine cover back on, got back in the car and tried to start the car again and nothing just as before!

I did the same reverse start trick and it worked, I continued my journey using a range of gears including reverse and parked up, I haven't tried to start the car again, I will wait until the morning now.

My question is what could have caused the starter motor to not start? The car was working fine and I only braked albeit it was pretty hard. Also is it likely that this will continue to happen and become a more regular occurrence?

I'm not the most patient of people and the damn thing was coming close to being towed direct to a crusher!!

If you have a meter or a test light, pull the single solenoid wire (the small one) off the starter motor (assuming it hasn't fallen of already) and check the wire has 12V when someone turns the key to start.

Edited 19 January, 201115 yr by rwbaldwin

I had the same problem! On mine the starter motor wire had come out of the clip connecting it to the starter! Mine is now connected with a spade terminal which works well its easy to check with out taking the car apart too!if you put thr car in reverse whilst off and look under the battery you should see a thin red wire attatched to the starter if not thats your problem if it is attached slide your hand in and wiggle it makesure it is connected properly. Mine was in the clip but only just so wasnt connecting. Hope this helps and solves your problem.

Hopefully it's one of the above but the wire can also break (mine did back in december).

1) Remember you're working on live side electrics! Disconnect the battery first. Handbook recommends turning the ignition on before doing this.

2) Clip can be stiff and has a locking/pull tab on top (red). I used a small flat bladed screwdriver to persuade it.

3) if the wire's broken, crimping it back together works. Best to then heatshrink it but I used insulation tape.

^ Doing all that from above requires the removal of the battery and battery box (and therefore the airbox). I've not tried it from below.

J.

Thanks for your replies guys, a quick update on the situation from this morning...

Started OK first thing great I thought that's the last I'll see of this problem, I drove about 20 miles with no problems then I slowed down at a junction and the car just died, I didn't stall or break hard, the engine just cut out - would a loose wire cause that? As I thought the starter motor was just needed for the initial starting?

I tried to restart and nothing, as yesterday all electrics illuminate as normal on dash and starter motor just gave a clunk. I put the hazards on, waited for the traffic behind me to go around, did another reverse bump trick to start the car. No engine management warning lights have come on the dash at any time to signify a fault.

Is there any chance of some pics for the instructions above? An arrow on a pic of the engine bay would do as I don't really know what wires are being talked about, I don't think I can even see the starter motor.

I have to say that I am pretty p'd off to say the least, I have lost all faith in the Skoda and think I am going to get rid unless this is a cheap, easy fix that I can resolve...

As above, I need more help with this issue please, just need to find out where these wires are located and exactly which ones I need to check...

I can't keep driving the car not knowing where and when it might decide to stop working... :'(

Edited 20 January, 201115 yr by SkodaFabiaOwner

What engine is it?

Do headlights go very dim on turning ignition key for starter, would point to high power drain in system.

I have the same problem, guess it's a break in the wire! Only happens if I park on a slope though - if I jump around in the car while starting it starts!

If anyone has a diagram that would be great!

Edited 20 January, 201115 yr by Crocket

What engine is it?

Sorry, it's a 1.2 Mk1 Fabia Estate...

I've got the engine cover off at the moment and I've had a good look around for anything obvious, nothing seems to be loose, but I can't identify the starter motor so a pic of an engine bay with an arrow pointing at the wires I should be checking would be much appreciated!!!!!

Many thanks!

Do headlights go very dim on turning ignition key for starter, would point to high power drain in system.

Battery is perfect, magic eye is green and it is retaining a good strong charge. Battery warning light illuminates with ignition and goes out to signify charging from alternator and no probs with load signal wire (I believe).

I've just noticed your in camborne, I'm in Truro, if you think it may help to see the vehicle would you maybe mind meeting up somewhere and taking a quick look? I could meet you in a local car park...

I Will carry on with the bump starting for a bit, but I know it isn't good for the catalytic converter long term...

Edited 20 January, 201115 yr by SkodaFabiaOwner

Have you checked the earthing? Look for loose, corrosion etc., You might need an extra earth wire to prove. This would explain stopping of engine as well as starter motor problems and dimming headlamps even with a full battery..

Have you checked the earthing? Look for loose, corrosion etc., You might need an extra earth wire to prove. This would explain stopping of engine as well as starter motor problems and dimming headlamps even with a full battery..

Thanks for your input, I have already checked all the earthing points that I can see. All are secure and none have corrosion. The car is garaged all the time so it usually escapes the worst of the weather and it always gets a chance to dry out.

Hopefully it's one of the above but the wire can also break (mine did back in december).

1) Remember you're working on live side electrics! Disconnect the battery first. Handbook recommends turning the ignition on before doing this.

2) Clip can be stiff and has a locking/pull tab on top (red). I used a small flat bladed screwdriver to persuade it.

3) if the wire's broken, crimping it back together works. Best to then heatshrink it but I used insulation tape.

^ Doing all that from above requires the removal of the battery and battery box (and therefore the airbox). I've not tried it from below.

J.

You guys are da men!!

I got out the old Haynes manual to find location of the starter motor, all seemed fine except that the plug in cable was loose making an intermittent connection, hence why it starts sometimes and not others. The problem is that the cable has now become completely detached and it's broken right at the end where it enters the connector, so there is no spare cable coming out of the connector to join the connector back to the rest of the cable. Any ideas on how to sort this? Really need to get this car working tonight so that it's ready to use again tomorrow. Also I don't really fancy having to pay for a whole new wiring loom...

Thanks!!

You guys are da men!!

I got out the old Haynes manual to find location of the starter motor, all seemed fine except that the plug in cable was loose making an intermittent connection, hence why it starts sometimes and not others. The problem is that the cable has now become completely detached and it's broken right at the end where it enters the connector, so there is no spare cable coming out of the connector to join the connector back to the rest of the cable. Any ideas on how to sort this? Really need to get this car working tonight so that it's ready to use again tomorrow. Also I don't really fancy having to pay for a whole new wiring loom...

Thanks!!

OK I have pulled out a white rubber bung that was surrounding the wire in the connector. However I still can't get the spade connector out of the plastic casing... Any ideas?

Just wanted to let you all know that the problem has been resolved. I managed to pull a bit of the plastic sheath away from the remaining bit of wire in the connector and I soldered this to a new small piece of wire. I then soldered the other end of the new piece of wire to the rest of the orginial wire.

Job done, the car is now back to starting first time, every time. Come back Fabia all is forgiven!!!

Thanks to all the posters for your help with the initial diagnosis, it made finding and resolving the problem much quicker... Virtual :beer: and :cocktail: goes out to those who helped - have a great weekend peeps!!

Battery is perfect, magic eye is green and it is retaining a good strong charge. Battery warning light illuminates with ignition and goes out to signify charging from alternator and no probs with load signal wire (I believe).

I've just noticed your in camborne, I'm in Truro, if you think it may help to see the vehicle would you maybe mind meeting up somewhere and taking a quick look? I could meet you in a local car park...

I Will carry on with the bump starting for a bit, but I know it isn't good for the catalytic converter long term...

Humble apologies not been online for a bit, so have read through to see you have discovered and fixed problem.

Another time send a PM as this will draw my attention quicker. (Ian)