Just making a quick thread to see if there's any common faults that would affect the car starting from cold.

It turns over roughly 3 times before it fires up then gives a puff of smoke out the back.

I've recently checked the glow plugs which showed 3 out of the 4 had failed so just replaced all four with new OE ones and it literally hasn't made one bit of difference.

The battery is also new so it turns over very quickly also.

Edited 15 October, 20169 yr by hutchysrs50

What year is the car how many miles on the clock ? Has the car ever had a new fuel filter?

Sorry, forgot the important stuff

 

Car is a 2012 Skoda Fabia 1.6 CR 75bhp model CAYA engine code.

Full service history, just had a brand new fuel filter, oil filter, oil, pollen and K&N air filter about 1000 miles ago, fault was present before any of those were changed anyway so made no difference.

I have a 62 plate 1.6 tdi (90) that had starting issues but a new fuel filter fixed that. I was thinking it could have been the same issue here.Turning over 3 times is about right I don't see a puff of smoke. Hope you get it sorted

I've a 2011 remapped and turns over three times before kicking off, if really cold I cycle ignition on and off twice before starting, no smoke at any stage unless doing regen and can be smoky on Halfords own brand oil

check you are getting power to the glow plugs, as could be a faulty relay

 

other option could be fuel draining back or the fuel system not pressurising properly

I checked power to the plugs with a test light and they are perminantly live.

I'm pretty sure they are a pressure sensor as well as a glow plug so always get power anyway.

I scanned the car for faults about 2 days ago and nothing, replaced the glow plugs and a few clamps on the boost pipes and cleared all the faults again.

Just did a scan before while changing my cruise control and got this fault...

So I'm glad it's a fault but not sure what's next, replace the module (assuming the module is just a relay?)

I checked power to the plugs with a test light and they are perminantly live.

I'm pretty sure they are a pressure sensor as well as a glow plug so always get power anyway.

I scanned the car for faults about 2 days ago and nothing, replaced the glow plugs and a few clamps on the boost pipes and cleared all the faults again.

Just did a scan before while changing my cruise control and got this fault...

So I'm glad it's a fault but not sure what's next, replace the module (assuming the module is just a relay?)

 

I'm not too clued up on the glow plugs on the common rail engine but they are more than likely work how they always have done. The ECU dictates how much they come on pre start, and how long they come on for post starting depending on the coolant temp sensor.

 

They should not be permanently live all the time but you may see 12v on them when you have them disconnected due to the module working out their resistance and throwing a code up if it thinks they have gone open circuit and need replacing.

None of them have a cylinder pressure sensor on them and they are controlled by a small module located in the engine bay that looks like a relay.

Being permanently live might suggest a possible short circuit within the controller.

They work before, during and after cranking and operate during dpf regen to boost combustion temps.

Euro car parts list this part for the relay

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.6_2012/p/car-parts/electrical/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/car-regulators-relays-and-solenoids/?450330120&1&abeb3b15bfecea23c601958739effebd58230a4d&000538

So I'm replacing that anyway for the sake of it and if that doesn't sort it dig a little deeper.

I'm not sure the control unit / module / relay are pretty much the same part anyway?

It's a controller with an integrated relay. Probably twice the length of a conventional relay.

Do you know the location of it on my CAYA Fabia?

Or any chance of a picture of it fitted?

Thanks very much for your help

It should be near the battery.

Looks like this:

http://www.partsplaceinc.com/uploads/images/products/large/21270f.jpg

I know the one now, was stuck on the side of the airbox on previous models. I never noticed before because it's not in the proper place on mine (attached to the battery cover) mine was unclipped hanging down.

I'll inspect it tomorrow and see if I can do anything with it, otherwise around £10 - £15 for a second hand one or £40 for a new one.

I'll report back and update how it goes!

Edited 16 October, 20169 yr by hutchysrs50

Pulled it up from where it was sitting.

It was unclipped and hanging down beside the bottom of the radiator so has been getting water in.

Unclipped it and the pins have definitely seen better says so hate to see how the inside looks.

I've orderd a replacement one so will see fit it next week, clear the fault codes and see how it goes!