Hi everyone.........

Just managed to get my son a 1.4L 8 valve 2001 Fabia Hatchback. (6y2). It was from my mate who had it for ages so I think the mileage (60 odd thousand) is genuine. For quite a period of time the engine management light has been on but as the car was running adequately as far as he was concerned he didn't bother too much about the management light.......I know a bit about cars (not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination)....I have test driven the car and the performance doesn't seem quite right. The tick over is OK but seems a bit lumpy but the acceleration definitely isn't there but the car does progress but at a more lesurely pace than is should (it just doesn't have that crisp acceleration in 2nd gear that every car has if you were to accelerate away from a hazard)..... The engine dioesn't run very smoothly either. However it has just passed the emissions on its MOT yesterday.

It is in need of a good service which will be done as soon as but my question is...

Can anyone give me a few pointers as to what to look out for on the engine management, pls? I have just invested heavily (loooool) in one of those cheap error detection thingys that you can buy on ebay and I will be interested to see what the error code is which I will report back

In the meantime as it is a weekend if there is anyone who knows about these engine set ups on this car any advice would be gratefully received........I hope this has made sense.

Thanks in advance

Tom

throttle body (if it has one) may need a clean

Plugs and coil packs

Air filter choked

Cat failing

Thats where id start. I have driven my parents 1.4 and didnt find it brisk really

Could easily be a lambda sensor.

that too

as you have engine management light, scan should tell you

Lumpy tick over is normal on these engines. Something to do with EU emissions legislation, and the idle being kept low to the point of it being close to stalling. Acceleration is poor, but you should be able to make it up hills ok in the lower gears.

As above, first thing I would do is check the codes stored on the ECU with VCDS.

On a side note, I thought there were plans afoot to make an engine management light an MOT fail?!

Edited 6 October, 201213 yr by anewman

Wow!....Superb response as usual on this excellent site. Everyone thanks for the tips....I will def report back with the fault code. Would a failing cat maked the ecu light come on?

I will have a good look at it tomorrow, esp plugs and filters and that type of stuff.

Thanks again chaps.try and remember to check back and fine tune the advice once I have those pesky error codes.

Thanks again

Tom

PS Yes, I had heard that about warning lights but it went on my mot as an advisory......In fact the gas analyser readings were excellent so the engine is def in good nick I think I will id a failing part of the injection system eventually

Yes cat would cause eml to come on.

Update...as promised

The error codes as detected by my very expensive code reader (£15!!) were as follows........

17526 - O2 Sensor Heater Circuit,Bank1-Sensor2 Open

16524 - O2 Sensor Circuit - Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 2)

17580 - P1172 Throttle Actuation Potentiometer Sign.2 Signal too Low 17580

17952 - P1544 Throttle Actuation Potentiometer Signal too High 17952.....

I rang Jason at the incredibly superb and helpful unit 18 and after a discussion I intend to change the lambda sensor on the basis that there is an error code showing, it is def the original one and the slow reponse error may well be what is causing the acceleration problem (the car cruises very well but has v poor acceleration). This is a bit of a stab in the dark so I would def appreciate any helpful comments from you chaps

Thabnks etc

Tom

Edited 9 October, 201213 yr by ThomasP

I suspect the throttle actuation potentiometer, is the electronic box of tricks (drive by wire) attached to the accelerator pedal. If so that's more likely the cause of poor acceleration.

See below....

Edited 9 October, 201213 yr by anewman

When you see 17580 and 17952 together, it is often a wiring problem between the throttle body and ECU.

If you look at the throttle body connector, you will see that two of the wires are slightly thicker than the other four. Check these two wires.

Ah so actuation potentiometer of the throttle body.

Everyone....thanks for these replies.

Is it repairable or only replaceable. If I have to replace anything the only place I know is Ebay unless anyone on here can tell me better (I have just had a quick look and most of 'em look a bit ropey).........Any comments about my decision to replace lambda sensor 2 (the one after the cat)? The vehicle has definitely only just covered 65,000 miles so although it is mileage enough for stuff to go wrong its a bit unusual for skoda stuff to die at this mileage, in my experience.

RWBaldwin says.....look at the throttle body connector, you will see that two of the wires are slightly thicker than the other four. Check these two wires. How do you want me to check it out RW? Do you just mean for good connection/continuity?

Thanks again everyone

Tom

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...look at the throttle body connector, you will see that two of the wires are slightly thicker than the other four. Check these two wires.</em></span> How do you want me to check it out RW? Do you just mean for good connection/continuity?...

A word of warning - You are looking for a bad connection and it's very easy to turn this into no connection. Only continue if you are capable of repairing any bad wire/contact you find.

First, unplug the connector and check for corrosion on the contacts. Next, visually inspect the wires near the connector.

Don't be afraid to gently pull on the wires - if they are good you won't break them.

The next step would be to do continuity tests betweem the TB connector and the ECU. You will need to unplug the ECU connector to do this. There are no intermediate connectors. If you post the three character engine code (on the options label under the boot carpet or in the service history book), I will post the wire colour codes and pin numbers at each end.

RWB....thanks

Engine code is AQW. I appreciate your time over this, thanks. I must say that I have had a look at the throttle body end of the connector and it looks in v v good condition but I will check for continuity. The ECU looks more exposed but this will be the same for all Fabias.

I am presuming that essentially the throttle response effected by a wiper running over a potentiometer.....Is there any way I could get switch cleaner onto that contact?

With a litle bit of luck the behind cat o2 sensor will arrive tomorrow. I will report back

Tom

RWB....thanks

Engine code is AQW. I appreciate your time over this, thanks. I must say that I have had a look at the throttle body end of the connector and it looks in v v good condition but I will check for continuity. The ECU looks more exposed but this will be the same for all Fabias.

I am presuming that essentially the throttle response effected by a wiper running over a potentiometer.....Is there any way I could get switch cleaner onto that contact?

With a litle bit of luck the behind cat o2 sensor will arrive tomorrow. I will report back

Tom

It's not a problem with potentiometers as one is reporting too high and the other is reporting too low. I will check my notes tomorrow and post again

Update for anyone interested........

I fitted the second o2 sensor (after cat), changed the plugs to those types with the four cathodes around the anode and erased all the error codes (also changed the PAS sensor as the car had the flickering lights syndrome) and all seems to be well at the moment (until the management light comes on again......looool!!) but I still think the performance could improve but now only slightly the engine 'feels' smoother and seems to be running in a more relaxed manner and I don't have to press the throttle down so much when I am in normal driving conditions.

So, hopefully this matter is ok for the moment

Big thanks to all the readers and all the contributors.

Thanks very much

Tom

Check this link out http://www.briskoda....e-up-brilliant/

Maybe worth a try.

DB.

If the two faults do come back check wires...

brown/blue, TB pin-3, ECU pin-119 on the 40-pin connector

blue/white, TB pin-5, ECU pin-121 on the 40-pin connector

There are two connectors - 81-pin and 40-pin. The pin numbers on the 40-pin connector start at 82.

OK..tried the sneaky retune biz suggested by mogwye and I do think it has worked. Car is now def smooth at cruising and although the acceleration wouldn't even surprise my granny it is reasonably smooth.

Thanks to mogwye and RWB especially. I think I will call this post mission accomplished so thanks to all.

With a little bit of luck my son should have a nice, safe, reliable, non sporty, economical little motor.

all the best everyone

Tom