Dear all,

Having made quite possibly the worst purchase in my life, a 2001 fabia 1.4 8v classic, I am here for your much appreciated help and advice!

To cut a long story short, the car has been a nightmare from day one, and we have had it only 6 weeks. So far it has cost hundreds (more than we paid for the car!) having had a new battery, 3 new alternators and a wiring fix. Picked it up from the garage this evening, pleased that it was finally fixed! Took it out on a drive to see if things were Ok, and well, they aren't! The original problem was fixed - car only started from a jump start - but now the brake pedal has gone light, intermittently. It requires you to double dip it so to speak in order for it to work as normal. By the time I was home, the problem had stopped, so I can only assume its intermittent. What could have caused this problem? I have googled a little, but would rather get exact advice, as I'm simply all out of money and there is no way I can take this car to the garage again right now. Is there anything I can do?

My fiance has his driving test in 2 weeks in this car, and the engine management light comes on from time to time - it is currently on. I took it to be read, and they could only find a problem related to the fact the battery was dying, and car being jump started etc. They said there is nothing to worry about, and it should eventually stay off. Now, I need this light off for the duration of the driving test, as you can not take a test in a vehicle with a warning light visable. Even though there is no fault! Can anyone advise me if there is a fuse that can be removed for this light, and if so, where and how to do it. Or any other solutions. I was going to buy a code reader, and switch it off that way, however I can't risk it coming back on just before or during my fiances driving test.

Can anyone offer me any advice?

Thank you

Well to work out how to sort what is switching the warning light on, you will need to get the fault code(s) read, for that you will need to buy a code reader or hand over cash to a garage. Gendan do a VAG specific one are under £40 delivered (www.gendan.co.uk) there will be others that are similar but Gendan also sell more expensive diagnostic tools - so that is their line of business - if you see what I mean.

Brake problem, does the car leak any fluid - ie need brake fluid topped up?

If its any consolation, these Fabia + Polo + Ibiza, do rather destroy your wallet at least once, I bought a Polo 9N brand new for my wife in October 2002 and its hopefully now pasts its "must have" phase - but it did hurt a lot for a small cheapish but " so reliable" car!

Edited 9 September, 201114 yr by rum4mo