Bought my 98 GLX TDI last week from a dealer but now it's a 'mare to start. It'll turn over and fire up but then immeadiatly stops. When I bought they had just put a new belt on it but due to the mechanic's handwriting I can't tell which one it was. I was thinking it might be a new timing belt that's slackened off a bit? It doesn't really matter 'cos its under warranty so going back on tues but I'd like to know what I'm talking about when the mechanic tries to dazzle me with his 'knowledge'.

Not sure if this is related to your problem, however I will continue anyway-

I had a proble recently where the car would turn over for 1-2 seconds and then completely die. On closer inspection the Immobiliser lamp was flashing on the dash. It was the immobiliser shutting the engine off. The cause for mine was the that the spare key, used to start the car, hadn't been coded to the new dash which had previously been fitted by a SKODA dealer some weeks ealier.

As I say this may or may not be related. But appears to share the same symptoms

Best of luck

CIVI

Thats interesting that- so does mine, but as far as I know my key is original (is there a battery in the key?). Also I've found that by pressing the accelerator pedel a certain amount that it starts ok( not great but will do for time being). Have got another key so will try that tonight.

what sort of key do you have?

is it a flippy key?

if so then it puls in half length ways then the end with the hook on it comes in half width ways(like a sandwich for want of a beter word) the battery is in there.

if its a regular style key then sorry but i ain't gt a clue mate

Will this cause problems with the car not recognizing the key any more if you change the battery yourself? The manual (predictably) suggests you get the fob battery changed at a Skoda dealer, but why? I ask as my fob doesn't always seem to be putting out the strongest signal, and people are wondering why I stand there next to my shiny new car, swearing and hitting the button repeatedly. :(

mine's a normal key and I don't have remote locking. It's intermittant aswell. Whats more worrying is I can make the car start when it shouldn't be letting me!!

then it shouldn't have a battery in it , best of luck

Does the immobiliser warning light stay on? If it does then it is an immobiliser or key fault. This is a known problem with Octavias of that vintage, the fix is to replace the pair of wires from the read coil on the ignition switch to the back of the dash panel. The part costs about

yeah thats what happens. I bought the car under warranty from skoda about a week ago so its going back on wed.... cheers

yeah thats what happens. I bought the car under warranty from skoda about a week ago so its going back on wed.... cheers

Remember a term of the "Skoda retailers approved used vehicle programe is that there is a 30 day/1,000 mile exchange although Terms & conditions apply. The car will have have been sold with a minimum of a 12 month parts and labour warranty as you are probably aware.

no I didn't know that actually and more importantly I didn't know its mean't to have 12 months warranty- I've only got 3 months:confused: Where do I stand??

Just an update really took it to dealers yesterday- they said it was a loose wire on the coil/immobiliser... sorted.