Dear all,

So far I have been only reading this forum when fixing my car - which actually helped a lot! Amongst others, I identified a broken PCV valve based on experiences of Breezy_Pete.

Car: 1.2l Fabia mk2, CGPA (51KW/70hp), 110000km or 70000m, from 2010. Car was driven by my grandfather for 60000km, mainly short distances. Then mainly long distance by me. Oil change every 10 or 15k, 5W30

The problem which would require some hints/tips: since yesterday (all of a sudden) the car is no longer starting up. The start motor is cranking but the car does not fire. Following error codes in the ECU: P0171 (mixture lean) and P1141 (load detection implausible). It is to say that I fixed some broken cables inside the doors the days before. Despite disconnecting the harness, it did blow the fuse of the comfort/convenience system which I replaced. Still wondering how it could blow though.

Following checks were done based on the "story":

• all fuses checked for conduction, all seem ok.

• fuel pump is working (audibly) and priming correctly

• Hoses, connections and plugs around the motor checked. Nothing visible.

• Battery voltage: 12.3V => on the low side despite a new battery build in last summer. Definitively to be checked. No sure though that this explains the failure to start as the starter motor seems to do the job.

Despite a flaw here and there, the car has been reliable before, no or little oil consumption and fairly constant mpg. I recently noticed some oily parts on the lower side of the motor. So that would be something to worry about as well but not sure that the failure to start is connected to this. I can't find a similar story in the forum here. Can someone suggest some checks?

Thanks already!

Christian

I would put battery on charge first and get it fully charged. 12.3v is around 40-50% Check the strip fuses in engine bay near battery and check others again for secure connection. The strip fuses on my sons MK1 developed hairline cracks that were near impossible to see. Check as well vaccum hoses for damage etc including the brake servo pipe. His was split in two places at joins. If the above are ok then maybe o2 sensor. Think theres two but would check wiring and if ok change one after cat first. Not exactly sure how to test sensors if car wont start.

Alasdair

Quick google and the ohms reading accross the two wires of the same colour in sensor should be 4-10 ohms aprox. If theres zero or very low 1 or 2 the sensor heater has failed. Think the above is correct.

Alasdair

Thanks a lot! Will try this evening and deliver feedback.

Hi guys, sorry for the extremely late reply. But better late than never. In case some people have a similar problem with an HTP motor, so if it would not start out of the blue: It had nothing to do with the electronics. After a longer search, I read in some Polo forum that someone had a similar issue with a 1.2l motor and he successfully started the motor while giving a bit of gas/ pressing the paddle. That did the job here as well. The throttle needs cleaning and the flap was a bit stuck? Anyway, no issues ever since. I will open a new thread for the oily underside of the car.

Oily underside on a 16 year old car is fairly normal as long as its not losing a lot of oil I wouldnt worry. My old octavia had a very minor leak but I just left it as it wasnt losing much plus couldnt work out where it was coming from.

If its at base of gearbox/bell housing it may be clutch fluid from a leaking slave cylinder. Check the brake/clutch reservoir in case its dropping. Glad you got it started and its been fine since.

Alasdair