Hi there, first post here, and posting on behalf of my dad who doesn't know how to use the Interwebs ...

 

In June my dad bought a new Fabia with the 1.2 3-cylinder 12V petrol engine. He's done about 2,000 miles in it since buying.

 

Couple of weeks ago, he was driving during a very heavy downpour (lots of standing water on the road, spray etc) for a few miles. He completed the journey, but after parking up and leaving the car for an hour or so, it took a long time and several attempts to fire up when he returned to the car.  It eventually started, and he drove home. He reported it drove fine without snatching / hesitation.

 

Next morning it refused to start: the starter motor turned it over happily but it didn't even cough or splutter.  So he called Skoda Assist, and the attending technician diagnosed water had penetrated the ECU casing (the ECU's bolted to the bulkhead).

 

The technician tested various loom connections to the coils packs and injectors, and eventually got it to fire up. I should add that there were no warning lights at any point, and no faults logged in the ECU.

 

It's been fine since that incident a couple of weeks back, until yesterday morning when it again completely refused to start.  Skoda Assist technician came out, tested various loom connections and managed to get it running, but he wasn't happy so eventually trailered it to the local Skoda dealer for more diagnostics.

 

He said the engine was flooding (which implies the injection system is working, but not getting a spark) and believes the "ECU might need reprogramming" which seems unusual for a brand-new, 2014 car.

 

Anyone know if this is a common problem on the 1.2 12V motor?  Or any ideas what the problem could be?

 

 

Thanks for any input, Craig

Welcome to the forum.

 

Was the problem originally not possibly Water (H20)  getting in the Air Intake,

Air Box / Air Filter.  Real Flooding.  (Not flooded with Fuel, just rain water)

 

Maybe not enough to Hydraulic the Engine, but enough to still have a Wet Air Filter for several days.

 

?

Did anyone look in the Air Filter Housing?

 

It was really about the first thing to check if the incident was understood by the Responder for Assist.

http://rac.co.uk/advice/winter-driving/driving-in-heavy-rain-and-flooding

 

Now they will have to check all Connections again, ECU Plug etc, and find what is the issue.

No big deal for the Garage to Update the ECU.

Edited 12 September, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

Thanks for that - checked with my dad, apparently the first Skoda Assist tech removed the air filter box (to get at the ECU on the bulkhead).  The filter was dry, apparently.  

 

It implies it's something electrical, maybe water got into a loom connector or it is an ECU problem.  

 

He's got a courtesy car in any case, so at least he's still mobile.

I had a Fabia with the 1.2 3 cylinder engine for two and a half years.  Never had a problem with it and it always started first time.  What I did notice though was that when I opened the driver's door, the fuel pump primed ready for the engine starting.  You could hear a kind of pumping sound for two or three seconds.  Ask your dad if his car does this - long shot but might help.

Only time I've come across HTP starting problems was due to a faulty battery; normally quite a bullet proof motor.

 

 

TP

Plus 1 for HTP (70) had mine for 3 years approx. No issues at all, brilliant little engine.

I cant help with the topic in hand, but my 2013 HTP hasnt missed a beat in nearly 13k miles and my mums 2005 polo htp 65 never did until dodgey fuel was put in it, and thats hardly the cars fault.

I'll be really interested to find out whst the problem is with the OP's.

Apologies i cant help.

Its not like the vrs. People know more about those cos the go wrong more! Hahs.

Never had anything wrong with my 54 until the loom knackered itself

Thanks for the input, everyone - car still at dealers and no definite update yet.  I will post the results when we hear back from the dealer.

Update from the dealer - the car needs an ECU replacement, they're ordering one in from Europe.  

 

They didn't say WHY it needed a new ECU - whether it was water ingress, or just a faulty electrical component within the ECU - but the diagnosis is a faulty ECU.

Update from the dealer - the car needs an ECU replacement, they're ordering one in from Europe.

They didn't say WHY it needed a new ECU - whether it was water ingress, or just a faulty electrical component within the ECU - but the diagnosis is a faulty ECU.

Cheers for letting us know.

Must be a faulty ecu to allow water ingress, if you know what i mean