Hi . I am in need of some help/advice with my 1.3 Skoda filicia. Even my mechanic is puzzled ! . Its "T" reg and has done 53,000 miles. It keeps dying on me for no apparent reason. Periodically and without warning. Even on a half to full tank of unleaded fuel, bought from BP. Its really upsetting. When it dies it usually starts again with the third / fourth turn of the ignition key. ive only had it for 6 months and was fine before my long time trusted mechanic sold it to me.This is very upsetting to me.Theres no warning light on the dash ! Does anyone have any idea what it could be. and how i could get it fixed?. Sincerely, Adrian

First up, get a code reader on it to see if there are any on there that will help out - although the ECU is fairly basic on the Felicia, it can provide useful information; certainly my old one did when the fuel pump relay was on the way out.

Is there any pattern at all to when it cuts out? I had an MPI car that did this when just off stone cold if there wasn't a little free play in the throttle cable.

Thanks for your reply. It seems to cut out randomly sometimes as I slow down or go down hill. It usually starts after 3 -4 turns of the ignition. Any further thoughts of what it could be ? . . Thanks , Adrian

hi..in the conditions you describe, effectively no fuel is being used....in other words, the fuel isn't being 'switched back on' once the gas pedal is pressed again.

Take the plastic top off the throttle body [on top of the engine]...usually using a 5mm allen key, 3 bolts.

Check the throttle cable to see if there is any free play when throttle is shut....[there is a circlip, located in a 'slot' on the cable outer.....choice of slots dictates how much free play is available.]

Make sure the long thin electrical plug [to the stepper motor on the throttle body] is secure?

As you [manually] slightly open the throttle, you should hear a slight 'click' as the wee position sensor works....

Also check the charcoal pot, passenger side corner of engine bay.....it has a 'fuel cut-off' plug on a short pipe coming out of its top..not sure why/what it's for, but if it has been dislodged it may affect fuel supply [very near battery, so can get knocked]..

When was the fuel filter last replaced?....

How easy does the car start from cold?

Also check the charcoal pot, passenger side corner of engine bay.....it has a 'fuel cut-off' plug on a short pipe coming out of its top..not sure why/what it's for, but if it has been dislodged it may affect fuel supply [very near battery, so can get knocked]..

The valve on the charcoal canister is a purge valve, the charcoal canister collects vapour from the fuel tank via a pipe to the tank, then the purge valve passes the vapour into the intake manifold under certain operating conditions, it plays no part in the fuel delivery and it makes no odds if it's plugged in or not Although it will throw a fault code if it's unplugged.

In reference to the op question I would say it's either the throttle body idle contacts sticking open or it's a an electrical fault, maybe the ignition switch is failing or the main supply relay adjacent to the steering column is throwing a wobbler.

The valve on the charcoal canister is a purge valve, the charcoal canister collects vapour from the fuel tank via a pipe to the tank, then the purge valve passes the vapour into the intake manifold under certain operating conditions, it plays no part in the fuel delivery and it makes no odds if it's plugged in or not Although it will throw a fault code if it's unplugged.

In reference to the op question I would say it's either the throttle body idle contacts sticking open or it's a an electrical fault, maybe the ignition switch is failing or the main supply relay adjacent to the steering column is throwing a wobbler.

thanks for that info......misleading when a parts diagram calls it a fuel valve? Regarding the effect it can have....I recently had idle and throttle-body-wobbler issues....whilst trying to trace any source of vacuum leakage, I found the last half inch of the vacuum pipe that goes to the canister, to have a small split in it....a quick visit from Mr. Stanley-knife actually sorted most of the idle issues......I suspect I've been a bit clumsy removing and replacing the battery at some point,despite removing the brace to do so...

Edited 28 November, 201114 yr by alastairq