Hey I have a 2001 fabia 1.4mpi only just coming up to 40k miles. The problem I have is recently it's started to have really rough idle more than the normal type for the mpi, also ever so often I'll be driving along and the battery light comes on and the engine dies just stops running bit starts up fine after.

Sorry forgot to say it's a 8v

Any help welcome

Thanks

Aaron

Edited 2 August, 201114 yr by hitlist

Have you checked the connections to the battery or tested the battery and alternator?

The battery is new about 2 monthes old and how should I check the alternator? And what should it read.

Also thanks for the reply

Aaron

You need a volt meter/ multimeter and someone to help you so one can rev the car on fast idle and one can read the meter. It should chuck out 14v. This is the first thing I'd check, see if you can borrow a meter from a mate otherwise it's an easy test you can have done quickly at any garage.

Thanks will get that checked tonight got a meter somewhere is it just across the two terminals sorry for the boob questions never messed with electrics on cars

I'd get the codes checked and throttle body re aligned to start with.

I'd get the codes checked and throttle body re aligned to start with.

Yep if it stops as you slow down, I think it's classic sign of an issue with the throttle body. Doesn't hurt to spray some carb cleaner down the throttle too.

ok checked the alternator and i believe its all ok all tho i am going to change it at a later date. So how hard is it to get to and clean the throttle body also can i do the reset using vcds lite, or am i going to have to pay someone.

Thanks for all the help guys and when you say "if it stops when you slow down" you mean cuts out then yes it is when i come to slow down.

aaron

I have the same problem with a 2001 1.4 8v also. It went througha stage a while ago of cutting out when I put the clutch in coming up to a roundabout for instance. Like you said, it always started up again fine. A coupld of times last winter it would start fine, I would rev the engine and take my foot off the accelerator and it would immediately die until the choke had released which was strange. Now it occasionally threatens to cut out when I come to a stop at traffic lights for example but hasn't cut out completely in a while, but from what mechanics have told me it is likely an issue with the throttle body, probably build up of dirt but i'm not sure how to clean it. I intend to get it looked at when I service it next.

I have the same problem with a 2001 1.4 8v also. It went througha stage a while ago of cutting out when I put the clutch in coming up to a roundabout for instance. Like you said, it always started up again fine. A coupld of times last winter it would start fine, I would rev the engine and take my foot off the accelerator and it would immediately die until the choke had released which was strange. Now it occasionally threatens to cut out when I come to a stop at traffic lights for example but hasn't cut out completely in a while, but from what mechanics have told me it is likely an issue with the throttle body, probably build up of dirt but i'm not sure how to clean it. I intend to get it looked at when I service it next.

It's always best to have a throttle body adaptation run with VCDS after cleaning it. Although cleaning alone should help prevent the issue you are experiencing. The problem is the 8v vents crankcase gasses straight to the throttle body with no PCV valve, taking oil vapours with it. This leads to deposits on the butterfly valve. It's easy enough to give a quick clean yourself. You need to remove the engine cover and the cover on top of the throttle body then this reveals the part that needs to be cleaned. You'll generally have acceptable results running the engine and spraying carb cleaner in short bursts. This will generate error codes about over fuelling though, but no lights will come up on the dash.

It's always best to have a throttle body adaptation run with VCDS after cleaning it. Although cleaning alone should help prevent the issue you are experiencing. The problem is the 8v vents crankcase gasses straight to the throttle body with no PCV valve, taking oil vapours with it. This leads to deposits on the butterfly valve. It's easy enough to give a quick clean yourself. You need to remove the engine cover and the cover on top of the throttle body then this reveals the part that needs to be cleaned. You'll generally have acceptable results running the engine and spraying carb cleaner in short bursts. This will generate error codes about over fuelling though, but no lights will come up on the dash.

Or you do what I did - do a crankcase breather catch can, and block the hole up for the intake and then give the throttle body and the intake manifold a severe cleaning. Never again!

Thanks would love to see the catch can mod as i was on about this to my dad the other day and he thought it would do nothing. I am cleaning the throttle body this weekend and getting a friend to put his computer on it to reset it, so will get back with the results.

Aaron

I'd be interesting in seeing some pictures of the catch can mod too, sounds well worth doing! I'm going to give the butterfly valve a clean tomorrow. Any tips for doing this. I plan to do what was suggested above and just run the engine and spray some carb cleaner on the valve. I have VAG-COM so I can do a throttle adaptation when i'm finished.

If you have a VAG COM, as long as you're gentle with the butterfly valve and don't push the flap too far you can give it a good clean up.

I'd also suggest that if you've never done it, cleaning the map sensor is also a good idea...

People say that carb cleaner shouldn't be used but i've never had any problems using it as long as you let it evaporate and dry off - what with it being flammable and stuff lol

If you've got concerns get some electrical component cleaner and do it.