Same idea as starter solenoid checks. Most meters can't measure the current through the cable, but what is more important is final voltage to starter which is battery voltage ( under load minus the drop on the solenoid). Very similar to what happens to old car batteries. Internal resistance limits cranking current and hence voltage to starter in winter.

Grand total of 175 miles today and absolutely no issues with the Fabia. So that might wrap up whatever is going on. Will still check for pre-existing fault codes, however.

Had issues again, this time a misfire and all the lights coming back.

 

My VAG-COM interface cable has arrived from Gendan and is recognised by VCDS-Lite but keeps either locking up the software or doesn't see the car.

 

 

Was trying to run a scan on the engine control module here:

 

 

 

I also need to know which settings I need? Interface was enabled on COM port 3 but I don't know if baud etc. is correct.

 

 

Also had a Bluetooth OBD thing arrive. Gave it a shot and...

 

 

 

Sounds like you might need to be doing some careful checking for split / insecure pipes on the intake side of things??

Just now, skomaz said:

Sounds like you might need to be doing some careful checking for split / insecure pipes on the intake side of things??

 

Aye that's my first port of call. I'm going to spend the weekend poking about to see if I get any further with working out where the fault lies exactly.

Once you have selected the correct Com port, click the "Test" it should then come back with the details of the interface lead, then click the "Apply" & "Save" buttons and it should then connect to the individual modules as required

17 minutes ago, nige8021 said:

Once you have selected the correct Com port, click the "Test" it should then come back with the details of the interface lead, then click the "Apply" & "Save" buttons and it should then connect to the individual modules as required

 

Thanks, thought I had tried that, but will try again tomorrow when I have more time.

I've never used the VCDS system but from what I see of it it looks extremely user unfriendly, and I could put more but would get trolled for it from certain quarters.

 

The OBD Bluetooth worked so that would suggest to me it's not the car or it's connections but the cable and/or VCDS Lite program.  I'd stick with the system that actually works and gives you the information.

 

P0171 could be caused by so many things but don't just think too lean ( but do include that though) also think of too rich with things like old man's problem, like the injectors dripping/dribbling (possibly because they semi-clogged or not spraying right for various reasons).

 

When you get a reading of too lean somewhere it can be because of other information pushing out too rich, a compensating error (that may or may not show up as an error code) - that poor explanation I've just given should rattle a few troll cages.  Oh, the beauty of being inarticulate. 🤣 🤣

 

All just my non-technical experience and opinion of course.  😁

 

3 hours ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

Also had a Bluetooth OBD thing arrive. Gave it a shot and...

 

 

 

  Persevere with the VCDS which is basically dealer level - abate in a Lite version that you are using. Nige is correct with his method, but I have never been required to chose the COM port so assume VCDS allocates this. What is the software you are using with the OBD2, and is the adaptor bluetooth as I would still push Torque, only based on personal experience, which can also report error codes, but is not based on VAG architecture being generic like many. I have never seen a "Pending Faults" message, being basically VCDS and Torque reliant. What does "Show Details" reveal?

10 minutes ago, KeithCheetham said:

What is the software you are using with the OBD2, and is the adaptor bluetooth as I would still push Torque, only based on personal experience, which can also report error codes, but is not based on VAG architecture being generic like many. I have never seen a "Pending Faults" message, being basically VCDS and Torque reliant. What does "Show Details" reveal?

 

Using an app called 'Garage Pro' that I found on Google Play. The adaptor is indeed bluetooth, it was the cheapest ****e I could get off eBay and it seems to work. The "Pending Faults" bit just provides details of potential causes of the fault/error thingy. I don't know if it came to the conclusion of a P0171 as a result of something not being quite to spec to the reader or something. 

 

I'll give Torque a try though.

Pending means it's seen something (intermittent) but not enough yet to say it's a fault rather than just a mishap.

 

VCDS is an old Techie nerdy user-unfriendly system, Torque appears to give better presentation but I'm not sure about its accuracy (can't wait for someone to put . . . no, why spoil it).

 

Personally I'd be far happier with something like OBD working for me rather than me having to work for the sake of the VCDS.

 

Ryan, become the expert here in OBD, you can make up your own unnecessary extra protocols and codes if you want the system to look more (unnecessarily) complicated or impressive to match any older systems. 😄

 

1 hour ago, KeithCheetham said:

  Persevere with the VCDS which is basically dealer level - abate in a Lite version that you are using. Nige is correct with his method, but I have never been required to chose the COM port so assume VCDS allocates this. 

 

I have the full Hex-V2 and that just gives "USB" but it's the computer/laptop device manager that allocates the Com port # not VCDS 

1 hour ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

 

I'll give Torque a try though.

 

Carista does the job too and is VAG specific so may be worth a try too. 

I spoke too soon, started being a stroppy wee sod on Saturday when we went out to Auchinleck. It never moved yesterday, and when started this morning took a wee bit of encouragement as it tried to conk out again and required some effort to keep turning over. Also threatened to cut the power with the revs dipping at idle when I drove round to my Granny's (about a mile) to take her bins out. I'll go back out with the code reader(s) tomorrow and pull some 'live' information hopefully. Might tinker about with the VCDS-Lite on the spare craptop computer as well, see where I get with that.

Been looking about on other parts of Brisky, seem to have things pointing towards a dying fuel pump relay of some sort. I'm going to get the correct relay from TMS and fit it just to see if that helps it any as it's got progressively worse with it now beginning to cut out or try to stall when running and in motion, making me think it's a fuelling issue of some sort as it's like turning the key to turn the engine off.

🤞

@Pete_Ex-Wino following on from today's incident, as covered on the 'annoyed' thread...

 

I tried TMS for a relay. No such luck. At the moment I'm waiting for the car to cool down so I can poke about with vacuum hoses etc.

 

Also had no luck with getting VCDS-Lite to work. Tempted to consult the owners map and get a hold of someone local to do some checking/diagnostics. That Garage Pro app I was using has brought back the "pending" P0171 code as well but I've had no EML/EPC light... besides in a dream last night.

 

The throttle pedal position sensor was from another BME that was being broken for parts. The throttle body is the original (or at least the same as when I got the car) but was cleaned some time ago (as seen in the ongoing project thread).

Who are TMS?

I could send you a crank sensor to try, but you'll probably need help swapping it in, access is grim.

2 minutes ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

Who are TMS?

 

Local parts firm. Run by Alliance Automotive. They're like ECP but actually good at what they do.

 

2 minutes ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

I could send you a crank sensor to try, but you'll probably need help swapping it in, access is grim.

I'd appreciate that. Thanks, Pete. Where abouts is the crank sensor located anyway, I can give my local independent a ring and see if he'll fit it if it's a pig of a job.

Back of the block, pointing at the inside face of the flywheel. It's only a guess that it might be iffy though.

 

9 minutes ago, Pete_Ex-Wino said:

Back of the block, pointing at the inside face of the flywheel. It's only a guess that it might be iffy though.

 

 

I'll have a wee look at some point over the next few days. Thank you.

Not really visible from anywhere but below when the engine is in the bay.  You can probably touch it though, blind.

Not sure where you are with this but if you have doubts about fuel delivery have you checked/changed the fuel filter for (reasonably) cheap and easy.

 

58 minutes ago, nta16 said:

Not sure where you are with this but if you have doubts about fuel delivery have you checked/changed the fuel filter for (reasonably) cheap and easy.

 

 

Fuel filter is new courtesy of my garage, but might be ****ed, as they say. Will mibbie replace it again.