I'm on holiday and have an intermittent misfire which comes and goes - check engine light came on.

 

Skoda fabia 1.4 16v 100bhp 2005 model year

 

I've just got a new coil pack as this is the likely culprit but now the car isn't so hot the bad misfire and shaking has gone for the moment. So to diagnose what the fault code (and hopefully which pack) was I've just ordered a Bluetooth OBD2 reader. 

 

If anyone has a suggestion of an app - paid or free - suitable for the Mk1 Fabia it would be much appreciated. 

 

I was about to install Carista but only the Mk2, Mk3 and Mk4 Fabia models are covered according to the website 

 

Cheers for any advice. 

It depends on how you arrived at the conclusion that the coil pack was likely culprit and why the car was so hot as to whether you have got a correct conclusion.  I might be misunderstanding because of lack of details (and I not knowing much technical stuff) but you seem to be putting the cart before the horse (doing things backward).

 

Scan tools of whatever make model or sort are only one diagnostic tool (nor error codes always) though they can sometimes pinpoint the source of the problem this is not always, they're not a magic bullet or diagnostics and checks and confirmation need to be made to also check that there isn't more than one source of the issue or even more issues.

 

I think you might be better asking in the Fabia Mk1 forum which apps VRS owners use and to perhaps check your diagnosis.

 

Whatever scan tool you use you do want to ensure it can deal with your VW model and that the program for that model is always up to date with updates to it also always consider that the scan tool or app could have errors or give erroneous information or readings so always counter check any diagnosis and where possible pre-test any testing tools before carrying out tests with them, a lot of hassle time and money can be wasted on machines and computer programs giving false results or not working correctly or at all.  Never neglect mundane basic checks just because you have sexy tools available.  You didn't need a scan tool to tell you that the engine had an intermittent misfire that (I presume) came from your senses of sight, touch (feel) and perhaps hearing, you can also, where appropriate, use your eyes, nose, taste.

 

For finding which coil is bad (if it is) with cautions so you don't damage yourself (very most importance) or the car (important but very, very much less so) you could follow what's done in the following video, without enough caution(s). - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe-XWsTI9Lo

 

 

HTH.

 

Edited 22 September, 20241 yr by nta16
typos

Thanks. Appreciate your help. I do have a full toolkit at home but since I'm on holiday it does make diagnosing the fault a bit tricky. Things like my test lamp and multimeter are all back home. Infuriatingly the check engine light has turned off and the fault with it. But it's not likely to have properly gone - I would like to resolve before the motorway journey home on Friday. Conking out on the motorway is never ideal. 

Yes things are more difficult away from home and Sod's Law that's when things go wrong all you can do is use what is available and you can get hold of in time.  You can check the basics like all electric and hose and other (air, fuel, etc.) connections are tight and secure, nothing rubbing or frayed and look for leaks.  You always have yourself as a tool and diagnostic kits, then you can usually buy or borrow basic tools or seek help from others there, paid or unpaid, tools, parts and materials can be posted/delivered to you perhaps as you were with the app and you got the coil pack(?).

 

To help avoid other issues you could prepare the car as much as possible for the journey back and pick an unstressful route as possible back, have oil, coolant, washer fluid, fuel, tyres, etc. all fully topped up, reduce electric load and if required road speed whilst keeping up cooling air flow to engine.

 

As you have a 105 I guess you might know a bit about roadside repairs and getting home.

 

What was the car getting hot and when was the misfire happening and what lead to to buy a new coil pack?

 

ETA: I've just thought - you might be dealing with the car issue(s) on the Fabia Mk1 forum and want to leave this thread to your thread title, which I can't help you with but others can, in which case ignore my previous post.

 

Thanks for the help.

 

I did ask a preliminary question on the Mk1 Fabia forum so will follow up there.

 

My Bluetooth OBD2 reader came in the post today showing misfire cylinder 3. I fitted a new coil pack there so hopefully that's enough. Time will tell and it's definitely the A and B roads home. Motorway is horrible in the rain with a broken car!

Hopefully that has sorted things, now you have the reader you can check for any error code returns, I think it's a good idea to record the scan then delete any and all error codes every time.  Each scan tool or scan tool company programs have their faults and seem to find odd different things to report so you aren't sure if it's the car or the scan tool having a brain-fart but if they delete and don't return or they're not serious or invasive you can generally forget them, especially on a 19 year old car and computer systems. 

 

Depends on traffic of course but motorways or dual-carriageways are better for a car to maintain a more constant speed and less gear changes (gears/clutch) and braking, better preparation for climbing or descending hills, steadier airflow if overheating might be an issue, often a better place to breakdown on or get to somewhere like a petrol station or other.

 

To close/conclude this thread - which App did you get?

Edited 23 September, 20241 yr by nta16
spelling

I got 'Car Scanner' which works - and I was able to clear the fault - but it was a bit if a struggle to make it show the fault. I had to have the engine running then it showed up straight away.

 

Thanks again.