Getting my 1.2 serviced at trusty backstreet garage

 

2005 65k

 

Passed it's mot, needs a major service all the filters brake fluid was dirty (thought the pedal felt a bit funny)

 

Recently though it's been a bit of a sluggish starter, hesistant in starting / sometimes threatening not to start at all.

 

Must admit that recently, there have been periods where its stood a few days without moving, then doing a short trip (we have a new baby).  Which i know can cause problems with the battery not being constantly charged / discharging.

 

Garage says the battery is fine though.

 

(Wife's Honda Jazz hadn't moved for three weeks and started immediately first time the other day though!)

 

Any other possibilities?  (any alternator problem should have been identified when they checked the battery though?  Garage are good at that kind of thing, have fixed electrical gremlins others failed on on other cars in the past etc.)

 

Cheers

By sluggish do you mean slow to turn over? or slow to 'fire'

Slow turning could be starter motor, dodgy earth, batt/alternator... (some to look at).

By sluggish do you mean slow to turn over? or slow to 'fire'

Slow turning could be starter motor, dodgy earth, batt/alternator... (some to look at).

 

Slow to fire i.e. several rrrr -rrrr - rrrs before actually starting, and sometimes feeling like it might not start at all, as if the battery is flat

Earth strap corroded, starter drawing too much current when cranking

Has it been on VCDS?

Has it been on VCDS?

 

Errr pass.  they would only have this at a Skoda dealer?

 

Though my garage does have a laptop i've seen them plug cars into.

Many of us on here have it, there is also a free downloadable 'lite' version which many use with a cheapie ebay lead but need the proper kit for full functionality.

 

There is a map of users in the 'diagnostics' section on this forum iirc.

 

Where you based?

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/224376-vcds-owners-map/

Many of us on here have it, there is also a free downloadable 'lite' version which many use with a cheapie ebay lead but need the proper kit for full functionality.

 

There is a map of users in the 'diagnostics' section on this forum iirc.

 

Where you based?

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/224376-vcds-owners-map/

 

Thanks for that.  Manchester.

 

Might get in touch with someone local

Getting my 1.2 serviced at trusty backstreet garage

 

2005 65k

 

 

Garage says the battery is fine though.

 

(

Cheers

did they do a load test or just put a meter on after you pulled up outside in which case it would have to be really bad to "fail"

Check with multimeter at tickover.  Voltage across terminals should be around 14.5.  If lower, could be a battery or drain (shorting) issue or alternator issue.    Only way to test battery is a load test or remove from car and measure drop over two or three days from fully charged (should remain above 12V).  Other issue could be the starter solenoid.  If the solenoid contacts carbon up, impedance across them increases, taking more from the battery (even a healthy one) to start the motor.  If the battery is older than 5 years and had shortish trips regularly, it's more likely to be the battery.  Short trips kill batteries.