Filled my 1.9tdi up with diesel went to set off again and nothing completely dead pushed it to a parking bay , still nothing opened bonnet couldn't see anything amiss tryed it again worked fine and has done since,  the clock has reset to 0 mpg same ect , were do I start trying to figure it out battery terminals ? It's a strange one 

I would check battery terminals are clean and not corroded plus tight. Next would do the same check with earth to chassis. If the mpg etc went to zero I would say the battery was disconnected somehow It may be a problem with the main fusable links at the battery box. My sons 1.2 had ABS fault etc and it was a hairline crack in one of them which I believe is a common problem.  Not sure which one I replaced but couldnt see the crack until I removed it and it fell in half. I got a mixed pack out of halfords. Replaced and it its been fine since. Disconnect battery when changing or checking them

Alasdair

Wonder if it's why my battery light come on the other day ? 

May well be linked. If it was the main fuse I assume no lights at all so thinking earth fault at battery or bad terminals?

Alasdair

Checked my wires and earth terminals etc all seem ok ? 

When it happened did you have any dash lights etc or was anything on the car working like lights wipers etc or was it completely dead. The fact that it zeroed the MPG sounds to me like a battery/connection/power failure. Might be worth getting it scanned for fault codes just in case its an ECU problem. If it was an ignition switch problem I assume the ECU would still have power.

Alasdair

Edited 21 November, 20241 yr by Alasdair1

Well it's not done it again I have  no clue what it was so hope it was a one off ? 

Anyone else similar symptoms to this? My mk1 VRs has a gremlin.. can anyone comment on findings?

 

Not on a skoda but old volvo 940 used to randomly stop and then not start especially when hot. Ran great 99% of time but sometimes just would not turn over. All lights on but nothing. Usually started after a few attempts but eventually nothing. Had to call out garage as it happened in fourcourt after filling up They traced it to wiring either to the alternator or startermotor etc. I can't remember exactly but it was a small cable that I assume ran from ignition switch. Cleaned spade connector and it was fine for years after that.

Car electrics are a nightmare. Have a seat altea that the radio comes on by itself, doors lock and unlock for no reason and interior light comes on randomly when driving but only at night and rear wiper randomly starts and stops half way and if I use the spare key it locks itself in engine imobilsed mode and won't come out of it. No idea what the problem or maybe multiple problems are. I think it may be a bad connector behind dash/fusebox area. Car is a bit damp inside from lack of use so I was thinking maybe some corrosion in a connector somewhere. 

Alasdair

I have a mk1 Skoda fabia VRs, Suspect an electrical fault so just looking for advice or conclusion if possible. Had an incident the other day where the car was at higher idle than normal, suddenly all lights came on dash, power steering went completely so shut car off. Upon trying to restart the car it would barely crank, suspected fault with battery so bump started car and has been ok since. Had battery health checked at Halfords today and all ok.. very peculiar and first time it has happened. The tell tale sign before this happens is the car will idle higher than normal (1000rpm) vs the standard idle speed of around (850rpm) Battery light goes off when car is started and alternator was replaced a few months ago so charging system is working and battery in good health… I’m aware there is a couple of higher amperage alternators available but don’t want to overwhelm anything.. it has randomly popped a main headlight bulb (h7) not too long ago too.. when I am stationary and turn wiper speed up on the small toggle the dash lights also momentarily dim..any ideas?!

Fractured field winding excitation wire to alternator making intermittent contact?

 

Why was the alternator recently replaced?

Edited 10 December, 20241 yr by J.R.

I’m yet to endeavour connections/wiring. I can see the alternator is new just by the condition of it. Alternator was replaced by previous owner and am unable to contact him anymore to ask why..

What and where am I looking at for the excitation wire? Is it obvious?

Battery light wouldn't come on at all if that wire was broken.

I just got my fabia vrs working.. lights on dash but no crank. Thought it was battery. Bought new one, but not that. Bought new starter motor, same again not firing up. Got an auto electrician in.. found out it was the ignition. One of the wires had burnt out on the key barrel. £420 in total paying out. But still worth it. 

23 minutes ago, D3S said:

I just got my fabia vrs working.. lights on dash but no crank. Thought it was battery. Bought new one, but not that. Bought new starter motor, same again not firing up. Got an auto electrician in.. found out it was the ignition. One of the wires had burnt out on the key barrel. £420 in total paying out. But still worth it. 

Did he say what had caused the wire to burn out or was it the ignition switch. If it was a wire I would be a bit worried what caused it.

Alasdair

Yes it was ignition switch. He bypassed the ignition with a start button for the time being so after Christmas he's going to fit me a new ignition switch. 

40 minutes ago, D3S said:

Yes it was ignition switch. He bypassed the ignition with a start button for the time being so after Christmas he's going to fit me a new ignition switch. 

Glad you got it sorted and it wasnt any wiring fault. Shouldnt be too bad a job to change switches.

Alasdair