Hi! I'm new to this forum and as a Skoda owner (Skoda Octavia 2001, 1,6 CL). Unfortunately it didn't start out very well. I bought the car just two weeks ago from my cousin. The car has been in the family since it was bought originally and is well taken care of although it has been driven 270 000 km. A few days after I bought it the yellow CEL-light went on. I didn't think so much about it, I'm used to having old cars with lamps going on that make more fuzz than actual problems. Anyway, after a few starts I felt that it wasn't really responding as fast on ignition as normal. A few days later it just wouldn't start at all. The panel lights turn up and the radio is working, but the start engine is not cranking at all. When I turn the key I only get an electrical sound.

 

I first thought it was the battery so I took it out, recharged it and put it back in. But I am left with the same issue + now the EPC light came on. My cousin left me a code reader so I plugged it in. Problem was, how would it give a diagnos without firing up the engine? I tried to have it in while turning the key and the code: 40AB appeared. In the code book it says, "Bank 1, Fuel measuring system, System too lean".

 

In the manual I also read that the Check engine lamp puts the car in some sort of emergency program that allows you to go to the workshop and then blocks it. Is that what has happened now?  If that is so, is there anyway to bypass the ECU to get it starting to "re-enter" that emergency program to maybe get more info from the reader and fix the problem?

 

Any ideas on what to do next? As a freelancer and artist I don't have any money for a workshop (In Sweden they charge several hundred euro to even get here and watch it, let alone fix it) and I really have to get this thing going for our summer vacation.

 

Would really appreciate some help from a kind soul out there!

 

An oxygen sensor fault code will not directly stop it starting. Forget about the engine light if that the only code as your cranking issue will be something else.

 

Put headlights on and try to crank the engine, if they go really dim your battery is hosed. When you say electrical noise is it just a click as you turn to the start position, a spinning or what? No imobiliser light flashing is there?

 

Most likely faulty battery/starter. Even if you have recharged the battery there is no guarantee its any good.

Thank you Jux for guiding me in another direction. I tried to put the headlights on while intending to crank, they do dim while trying, but afterwards and before they are fine even with full beam.

 

The electrical noise is more of a humming sound after clicking into starting position.  No immobiliser light is flashing.

 

Before I buy a new battery, it would be good to rule out the starter. Any tip on how I try it out? If the starter isn't the problem, do you think it could be some part between the ignition and the starter, solenoid etc? 

 

Thank you very much for your help!

If its clicking and not turning over then the starter is getting its command from the ignition switch so dont worry about the wiring between those. Really it leaves a weak battery without enough oomf to turn it over or the starters brushes are sticking. A gentle tap on the starter with breaker bar or something while someone hods it in the crank position should free them up and it should turn. If it does it probably means the starters on its way out and needs a new one anyway. dont hit it too hard, just a tap too shock it.

Ok, I just tried it with another fresh battery and can rule that one out, the problem persists.  I've heard one could bypass the ignition by connecting a lead wire between battery plus pole and the solenoid to force a start. But I'm not really sure how I find the plus pole on the solenoid while it is still connected, and it is also a bit hard to reach. The pole closest to vision is connected to the battery. Is that the one? Do I need to dismantle it?

 

I'll try your tip with tapping the starter as soon as someone comes home to help me with the ignition, thanks again!

 

 

 

 

Pole connected to the battery is permenant live, the one your looking for will be a much smaller wire, possibly on a spade terminal or 10mm nut, however if you can hear it clicking when you turn to crank position this bypass does not need to be done. You could jumper the two large terminals, but you risk melting a spanner/screwdriver, possible fire, and its bloody frightening it your lying under the car, ultimately, if its clicking and your battery is fine you need a new starter. Its either the motor or the solenoid on the motor. 

I have in the past replaced just the solenoid, not worth the agro considering the price of a new aftermarket starter. 

Thanks again! Then I wont try that and get an unnecessary scare... Just to be sure, when you say "clicking" your meaning just a click from the solenoid while turning the key right? Cause there is no sign of a starter sound trying to crank it over. Found that a new starter is about 100 euro which is good as long as I can put it in myself... but will try to take out and test the old one first.

Yeah just a click, basicaly the solenoid is switching but either not contacting or the motors doing nothing.If you takeit of connect to a battery with an earth too the body, live too the battery live you have found and then a little bit of wire from the battery live to the spade/10m to fire the solenoid. 

 

I'll try this tomorrow if I manage to get the thing out without being able to lift the car much, thanks!

Just to close this thread, the starter engine was broken. I bought a new one and replaced it myself without ever having done anything similar before (yes it is possible as an amateur!), just be sure to get the Skoda Octavia  workshop manual that can be found online and follow the instructions. The hardest part was to get it out because of the tight bolts that had been untouched for about 270' km. In total I paid around 150 euros for a new starter and some better wrench tools to get it out. Think I saved myself at least 400-500 euros on fixing it myself... Thanks again for help!

Glad you got it sorted