Hi

I'm having problems with a 2002 1.4MPi Fabia Estate that I've only bought a couple of weeks ago. It's okay to start from cold, but if I try to start from warm fairly soon (few seconds to a few minutes) after stopping, it struggles to start. I get a clack clack clack (bit like the sound of a diesel) from what I assume is the starter motor, and then the engine fires. Sometimes it just doesn't feel as if it will start at all.

It's been to a Skoda dealership and been plugged into their diagnostic machine. Nothing appears to be wrong with it. It's had a complete ECU software re-install, but the problem persists. The diagnostics machine seems to think the battery is okay (13.7 volts), and doesn't report any other problems.

Has anyone experienced this, and if so can anyone suggest a solution?

I had a similar problem with its predecessor, a 1.3 Felicia, but that seemed bizarrely to resolve itself.

Many thanks

David

temp sensor ?

Yes totally

They cannot be that good at your local dealer as this is a VERY common problem.

Easily rectified too.

If you are a little technical then you could do it yourself.

Just make sure the engine is cold when you do it.

Also just undo the cap slightly but remember to tighten it up yourself after.

Sarah

But the dealership plugged the car into a diagnostic machine and it showed no error. If the sensor has failed or is malfunctioning, wouldn't it show an error?

Funnily enough, when I arrived to have the car looked at, the salesman said 'Hmm, sounds like the coolant sensor'. But when the car was 'plugged in', nothing showed up. They did a software reboot on the ECU, and the problem still persisted. That said, I've just had the battery changed and it *seems* to be working okay. Whether the increased battery power is just masking the underlying sensor fault or not, I don't know.

You said it was a relatively straightforward DIY job to replace the sensor. Is the sensor part not coded to the ECU, or can it just be taken out and replaced?

Tks

David

No it does not show up all the time.

It would not have to be recoded just replaced.

Sarah

I remember discussing a similar problem with a colleague of mine who used to design ECUs for Rover back in the BMW days, 'cos my Renault used to be a bee-hatch for failing to warm restart. He told me the problem is that the ECU is like any other computer, and needs time to reset after being switched off. Ten seconds is usually enough, but isn't really much comfort if you've just stalled trying to turn right at a junction or something...

Unless you're actually going to get out of the car, it's not good to switch off for a few moments anyway as it knackers the battery and starter motor. Far better to idle unless you're going to be stopped for any length of time...

have a look here .

http://www.briskoda.net/modules.php?name=Content&file=viewarticle&id=32

My Mk 2 Octavia 1.9 Tdi taxi has suddenly become hard to start when warm. Have looked at past posts and checked for leaks in the fuel lines, without success. Dealer says no relevant codes showing up on diagnostic machine. Battery turns engine over quite fast. Where's the temp sensor if I wanted to change it? Or any other helpful advice, please?