Hi all

My wifes Felicia has a really bad intermittent starting problem at the minute

It just refuses point blank to start. Once you get it going itll start all day, long journeys, short journeys, hot or cold no bother.

But if its left for a while (a day or two) it just isnt interested.

It turns over fine. But I noticed now that you cant hear the fuel pump "whirr" when you turn the keys?

I changed the coolant temp sensor - this made a big difference to running from cold, as before it was quite chuggy, but it still has the intermittent starting problem :(

The other night, I disconnected the batt for 20 mins, and when I reconnected it, the fuel pump "whirred", it started no problem, and drove fine. It wasnt touched for a day, and then it wouldnt start again.

Getting really desperate now, any advice?? Is the car possesed???

My dad jokingly suggests I fit a battery cut-off on the dash..... and beleive me its getting so annoying, Im seriously considering it!!

Just to add to that:

Clutch was changed recently and thats when the problems seemed to start, could crank sensor be at fault? perhaps gearbox coming off has damaged sensor?

Just to add to that:

Clutch was changed recently and thats when the problems seemed to start, could crank sensor be at fault? perhaps gearbox coming off has damaged sensor?

I reckon you've just diagnosed the fault mate.

it would help if we knew which engine is was??

i think it's more likely to be immbilizer related... because the fuel pump should run even if the crank/hall sensors are damaged

Sorry!

Its a 1999 1.3 mpi

32000 miles,

gearbox was changed then the car sat for a couple of weeks as we werent using it. When we needed it again, thats when trouble started. Wouldnt start for 3 days.

Once you get it started, it will run for days and days, its when you do a short journey, or leave it parked up for a day or two, thats when the trouble starts again.

Like I say I had it started a couple of nights ago, went for a longish run and it behaved perfectly. I then left it sitting for a day and it wont start now.

It could well be the crank sensor that has been damaged.... if they didnt remove it prior to taking everything apart it will have been damaged in the process.. if this is the case i would go back to them and get them to fit a new sensor as they should know to remove it before removing the gear box...

Well im reluctant to go down the crank sensor route as it doesnt explain why you cant hear the fuel pump pressurising before you turn the key around completely, which would suggest then that it is indeed the imobilizer?

But what to do?

I cant move the car because it now wont start at all, so i cant take it anywhere to be diagnosed

I dont want to buy a crank sensor if thats not the fault

really at a loss as ive run out of experience here.

How can I at least get the thing started???????

Do you have Home Start cover with the AA or similar?

Unfortunately I dont

If it is the immobilisor how much does this cost to replace? and where is it?

The crank sensor looks favorite to me. Before trying to second guess the immobiliser without the benefit of any diagnostic codes, remove the sensor, inspect and clean it - it's only one 10mm bolt, an electrical connection and it is easily accessible, also rotate the engine and check the area where the sensor reads from.

If nothing appears untoward with it, you could try connecting a test lamp into the fuel pump power supply at the tank plug under the rear seat- if the power is there it would be a case for ruling out the immobiliser.

Bear in mind that if you get it fault code read, the crank sensor will likely show a fault if the engine is not running. More often than not it can only be effectively ruled out by substituting it for a known good one.

To answer your question on the immobiliser, it comprises of 3 parts - the transponder in the key (a new key about

Thanks guys for all the advice so far

Update time

car would not start for days there. Hooked the jump leads up to my other motor, as the skodas batt had died trying to start.

Again no fuel pump noise

Turned over for 10 mins, no result

Took out crank sensor, no visible damage, cleaned it up and put back in.

Again car still on the leads, no fuel pump noise, turned over for at least 10mins and just as I was about to give up, it spluttered into life, ran for 5mins and died.

Very strong smell of petrol.

Turned over for another 5 mins, coughed into life and stayed running this time.

I then proceeded to take it on a long run, a few miles, mostly dual carriageway, car drove without fault, very smooth, no hesitation etc

Got home, turned engine off. Turned ignition round to last click, this time the fuel pump is making noise!!! engine started on pretty much first turn, ran fine.

I know from past experience with the car now, that if I use it everyday for the work run it will be fine, its just when you leave it for a day or two without driving it, thats when the problem seems to start.

Its my wifes car and she doesnt use it everyday, so obviously this is not ideal as when she needs it, it isnt interested.

Im happy I got it running, but still really frustrated. No loose wires, I checked pretty much every connection!!! no cuts in the loom anywhere, nothing......

Again a massive thankyou to all you on here who have taken the time to reply.

Just to add to the above:

This morning the car started fine, and got me to the shop and back home again. 30mins later, it was time for me to leave for work, and guess what, the car wouldnt start this time :(

Any ideas?

:( that nothing was added to this. I hope you got it sorted.