Hi,

So I've had my vRS estate since February and it has been great unitill recently.

When cold in a moring (5deg or less) I come out to start the car the dash lights up as usual when I turn on the ignition, but nothing happens when I try to start it - no click, judder, noise, does not even try to turn over. There is a message on the dash saying please select Park or Neutral but its already in park.(even says 'P' in top right of display!)

I tried moving it to neutral - nothing, back to park- still nothing. Keep trying a few times then give up. Come back 10 mins later and it starts straight away.

Once started its fine it only happens the first time on a cold morning.

I took it to the local garage and explained the problem, they were said they were getting an update from germany, but later said they tried starting it several times and it was fine. Which it would be as it only happens from cold.

Its going to be warm for a few days so theres no point leaving it with them, I just have to wait till it gets cold and see if lets me down which is crap!

I tried searching and got no hits so i guess I am on my own with this?

Thanks,

C.

Sounds to me like a sticking switch on the transmission

Perhaps a sticking ignition relay?

Box issue I'd say. Manual says " Before starting the engine, place selector lever in the position "P" or "N" and firmly put on the handbrake". Looks like one of the contacts on the box is faulty and not recognising one of the pre sart conditions correctly? Dodgy one especially as it does work perfectly fine leter on...

well after an unseasonably mild november I had no issues until yesterday moring when it was -2deg outside and I was supposed to be working in Preston.

Car would not start and eventually I had to call out the AA. He was mistified! He did confirm that there was no voltage getting to the starter motor, so it is electrical and likely to be a sensor or connection on the gearbox computer. And at least I have witness to confirm I'm not just doing it wrong. After he poked around for half an hour it just fired up and he did not know why. When I came out of work later that day it was cold again and wouldn't go, I went back inside to get a phone number and when I tried again it was ok.

Getting really frustrated now!

Thanks for the repiles..

Sorry I can't help, but have to say your user name is magnificent.

Sorry, not able to help, but let us know the outcome with Skoda,

if its the Inhibitor switch on the Gearbox/Brake pedal or the Immobiliser or some other problem.

I had a Vrs that would not start, (not me having the problem)

my first thought was the battery in the Key & i used the other key,

i checked the Stick was in 'P' , but then it had to be before it was going to start.

Then got in and started it.

Then,

I watched the person having the problem trying to start the car, before going any further with any checks.

One thing is,

i noticed with the someone that reported to me that the vRS was not starting.,

(Close to me & always given the benefit of the doubt & is always right)

Was not putting their foot firmly on the brake pedal, in fact their foot was not near the brake pedal.

To save any further argument i just agreed that today something must be wrong, since thats the way they (she) always do it and it always starts any other time.

george

Why would you need your foot on the brake pedal to start the car George?

Something I find strange with the Fabia is that you can take the key out of the ignition without it in Park. Expect the lack of an ignition lock is another cost saving measure

grapo, sorry you are right,

it was her Toyota iQ & my van that needs the foot on the brake before they start.

She was not getting it out of 'Park' once started in the vRS.

george

Never had any cold start problems - my problem isn't that I can't get into the bloody car this morning - frozen solid (the boot will open but no way am I clambering through there) - need to slum it on the bus :( .

Sorry to hear that Brian.

Maybe for the best, there are some very dangerous people taking cars out on the roads today.

(sunglasses might be an idea for some of them, its blindingly bright today

& some De-icer & Winter windscreen wash might help others.)

I use 'Halfords Night Before De-icer' sprayed around the Rubber door surrounds.,

or Silicone Spray, even WD40, helps,

& the Greenhouse Heater Plugged into the Extension lead.

(Obviously only when parked up at home overnigtht, i do not have a long enough lead to drive with.)

have fun.

george

Cheers George.

Bloody Last Bus didn't turn up - got a loan of the old dear's Fiesta to kick about in today.

Best car for the job really.

One of the neighbours opened her window this morning to tell me the alarm had been going on and off all night - I never heard a thing! Felt bad about it as I've been annoyed by a few car alarms in my time - she was very decent about it though.

Would've been down to the doors being very slightly ajar from when I tried to open them yesterday morning - couldn't shut them firmly back.

I was concerned in case it had drained the battery but fired up no bother.

To OP,

At least now you have it confirmed that there is problem (would it be possible to get a short e-mail report from the AA to describe their findings and provide it to Skoda?) so it needs to be addressed. My suspicion is that some relay is a problem. When you turn the ignition it gets electricity but doesn't "rely" until warmed up a bit by the current. Hence after few minutes it goes as if nothing happened. How to find? No clue

It is a wild guess and is probably completely wrong .

thanks again for the repiles, my car is currently at the dealers waiting for new mechatronics unit - i guess thats the gearbox brain?

I had to drop the car off at the dealer the night before so they could 'catch it in the act' the following morning.

Hopefully this will be an end to it...

Mechatronics unit is the magic bits which operate the gearbox levers.

isn't that the bit they send off to germany and takes 6 weeks to get done?

They should have a replacement ready for you as it is rather pointless to wait 6-weeks. Courtesy car costs would be higher than the cost of a new gearbox (almost) lol.

I know the problem has been solved, but we've been having a mild winter so far (-17 C) and no problems yet.

I know my fathers VW Sharan 1.8t had troubles (ran on 2 cylinders 1/5 startups) at approx -15 to -20 C but I haven't had anything at all...

Know it's a different machine at all points, but had my doubts tbh!

I know the problem has been solved, but we've been having a mild winter so far (-17 C) and no problems yet.

I know my fathers VW Sharan 1.8t had troubles (ran on 2 cylinders 1/5 startups) at approx -15 to -20 C but I haven't had anything at all...

Know it's a different machine at all points, but had my doubts tbh!

Ha ha ha, -17C mild winter - respect!

If it was -17C here the whole country would grind to a screeching halt!