Hi all having a little drama with the wife skoda fabia 1.4 comfort estate model.

Problem..... Whilst driving every once in a blue moon the car will loose all power.. I.e the engine will stop running and the battery light on the dash is the only thing showing on the dash..... Once stop the car place into nuetral as its an automatic start the car again first time no problems....??? Any ideas?

What I've looked for... I was thinking it was and earthing problem as when we bought the car the battery was nackered so I've replaced and secured the battery and it is solid still, I've tryed wiggling varouis wires in the engine bay and check all earths are secure. Also giving the car an engine oil change.

Has anybody had this problem before or have any idea or tips to pin down the fault???

Thanks in advance ...

Do you have a multimeter? If so, do a continuity test on the positive cabes rather than the earth braids.

109 relay or ignition switch fault.

 

Relay is easiest to test.

Alternator? Usually throws up battery light on dash. Multimeter across battery when car running should see 14.4v, certainly anything less than 10v likely to be alternator related issue.

Belt could be slipping (although usually squeels) or tensioner seizing intermitantly (usually grinding/squeek noise)

Do you have a multimeter? If so, do a continuity test on the positive cabes rather than the earth braids.

I don't have one buddy. The battery is brand new from halfords and all cables are secure. Do you have any idea why it would just cut out whilst driving and start straight up after?? Thanks

Alternator? Usually throws up battery light on dash. Multimeter across battery when car running should see 14.4v, certainly anything less than 10v likely to be alternator related issue.

Belt could be slipping (although usually squeels) or tensioner seizing intermitantly (usually grinding/squeek noise)

Thanks... The alternator is new and all leads are secure..

See my post above.  It's a common and well known issue on the majority of vag cars of this age.

109 relay or ignition switch fault.

 

Relay is easiest to test.

How could I check any of these?

The problem with both of them is that they have no way of really diagnosing because they're intermittent faults.

 

The relay is easy, just swap it for another.  Ignition switch is a lot trickier to narrow down.

The problem with both of them is that they have no way of really diagnosing because they're intermittent faults.

 

The relay is easy, just swap it for another.  Ignition switch is a lot trickier to narrow down.

Ok thanks... Where can I locate the 109 relay?

Above and to the right of the drivers footwell (behind the cubby on the lower right of the dash).

Above and to the right of the drivers footwell (behind the cubby on the lower right of the dash).

Yes I know what you mean where it is. Thanks alot will give this a try. Is the relay suppose to have a certain current level.. If I get a multimeter and test it.

If it's an intermittent problem you can check the relay current levels a million times and you might not see any change.

 

It's just one of those problems that can pop up and a new one can fix it.  I would advise having the car scanned first though just to make sure you haven't got another issue.

Ok thanks ill give that a try thanks for your help