Hi all

 

Am new to this forum having got rid of the last French Shed I owned...... Bought a Skoda Fabia SDi 2003 last year, FSH and one older bloke. Its fast enough and great on fuel but its started to be a bit niggly and would like some advice. 

 

Its already eaten both electric window mechanisms and I had these done, plus the famous back door leaks. However a couple more issues have arisen:

 

1: On a cold day when starting first thing the steering warning lamp comes on with restricted power steering. If I stop and restart the engine it clears but I am concerned that this may point to big bills. 

 

2: When coming to a stop at lights the engine judders as if its running on 3 cylinders. If I coast it it makes no difference. Could it be the brake light switch?

 

3: The third really annoying issue is it vibrates under acceleration from 60mph and only stops if you take your foot off the gas. Its less under light accelerator but its still there. Its not the wheels though, and I swapped everything around. I did notice on the motorway that when you go round a fast bend the vibration vanishes and comes back as soon as I straighten up. Had a mondeo diesel did this in 1997 and it turned out to be both inner cv's which was VERY expensive!

 

Would appreciate support guys as I do not have money to throw at it (even if it is great on fuel) and have been given another car (an 02 astra) for free by the neighbour, though I rather like the low fuel costs!

1: On a cold day when starting first thing the steering warning lamp comes on with restricted power steering. If I stop and restart the engine it clears but I am concerned that this may point to big bills. 

This is most likely to be caused by the battery getting low or on the way out.

1: On a cold day when starting first thing the steering warning lamp comes on with restricted power steering. If I stop and restart the engine it clears but I am concerned that this may point to big bills. 

>> Your need to measure your battery voltage, if it is on the low side the pump will cut out on under voltage. Try to find the biggest battery that will fit when replacing or use a high capacity one. Also check the alternator sense wire.

 

2: When coming to a stop at lights the engine judders as if its running on 3 cylinders. If I coast it it makes no difference. Could it be the brake light switch?

>> The only thing I can think of is EGR valve sticking, but it would tend to shudder all the time then.

 

3: The third really annoying issue is it vibrates under acceleration from 60mph and only stops if you take your foot off the gas. Its less under light accelerator but its still there. Its not the wheels though, and I swapped everything around. I did notice on the motorway that when you go round a fast bend the vibration vanishes and comes back as soon as I straighten up. Had a mondeo diesel did this in 1997 and it turned out to be both inner cv's which was VERY expensive!

 

>> I am assuming that you are confident this is a drivetrain thing, then driving round in a tight circle should show up any worn driveshaft joints.

 

Some idea of mileage covered would might help narrow down potential causes.

Edited 24 February, 201610 yr by garethw