Hi everyone,

Last month I bought an 05 plate vRS from a dealer, the only niggly issue I could find was the passenger window control from the drivers side didn't work.

I've had the car a month and have started to get the following peculiar thing happen

I turn on the ignition, everything including heaters and air con work as expected.

I start the engine and the rear wiper doesn't work, but the rear washer jet does. The heater blowers don't work nor does the air con. The re-circulate button lights up though.

Then after what seems to be generally 30 seconds (counting 1 Mississippi 2 Mississippi etc as I didn't have my phone on my to time accurately) everything seems to start working as I would expect.

I originally thought it was distance travelled but have since tried it stationary on the drive and it seems to be done by time.

I don't think it happened when I test drove it, similarly I hadn't noticed it before so I think it is a recent thing, although I can't guarantee it.

This is a bit speculative, as I'm not that familiar with the Fabia yet, but..

...sounds like a slightly dodgy x-relief relay, I think. Number 18 might be written on it IIRC.

The thing is supposed to switch off all non-essential equipment while you are cranking the engine to start it (to maximise power available to starter motor). Once you let go of the key again, it should re-enable all these non-essentials. Yours is doing this, but not re-enabling stuff as immediately as it should once you release the key after cranking.

That sounds great, I've just checked my Haynes and I think you may be on to something. X circuit relay covers front rear fogs, front rear wipers and heater unit except the recirculate.

Thanks so much for hopefully pointing me in the right direction.

All fixed. You were correct. Thanks very much for the diagnosis it really helped. Now i am nice and warm as soon as set off, not 15 minutes into my journey.