One autoscan log:

Monday,24,December,2007,11:30:06:64031

VAG-COM Version: Beta 711.0

Data version: 20071117

Chassis Type: 6Y - Skoda Fabia I

Scan: 01 02 03 08 09 15 17 19 25 37 44 46 55 56 76

VIN: TMBPB16Y5Y Mileage: 66940km/41594miles

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Address 01: Engine Labels: None

Part No: 047 906 033 A

Component: 1,4l SIMOS3PA 00HSSJ48

Coding: 00021

Shop #: WSC 02202

TMBPB16Y5Y SKZ7Z0Y

1 Fault Found:

18058 - Powertrain Data Bus: Missing Message from Instrument Cluster

P1650 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent

Readiness: 0000 0000

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Address 09: Cent. Elect. Labels: 6Qx-937-049-B.lbl

Part No: 6Q2 937 049

Component: BORDNETZ-SG. 2S04

Coding: 01032

Shop #: WSC 13765

2 Faults Found:

01309 - Power Steering Control Module (J500)

49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)

49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

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Address 15: Airbags Labels: 6Q0-909-605-VW5.lbl

Part No: 6Q0 909 605 H

Component: 03 AIRBAG VW5 0004

Coding: 12339

Shop #: WSC 13765

2 Faults Found:

01299 - Diagnostic Interface for Data Bus (J533)

49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

01299 - Diagnostic Interface for Data Bus (J533)

62-10 - No or Incorrect Adjustment - Intermittent

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Address 17: Instruments Labels: Redir Fail!

Part No: 6Y2 919 860 C

Component: KOMBIINSTRUMENT VDO V11

Coding: 16441

Shop #: WSC 20022

TMBPB16Y5Y SKZ7Z0Y

4 Faults Found:

01312 - Powertrain Data Bus

37-10 - Faulty - Intermittent

01314 - Engine Control Module

49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

01322 - Control Module for Multi-Function Unit (MFA) (J501)

49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

01321 - Control Module for Airbags (J234)

49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

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Address 19: CAN Gateway Labels: 6N0-909-901.lbl

Part No: 6N0 909 901

Component: Gateway K<->CAN 2S04

Coding: 00012

Shop #: WSC 13765

2 Faults Found:

01309 - Power Steering Control Module (J500)

49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)

49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent

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Address 44: Steering Assist Labels: None

Part No: 6Q0 423 156 E

Component: Lenkhilfe 0001

Coding: 00110

Shop #: WSC 00000

No fault code found.

End --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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It happens to this particular car quite randomly, it will be perfect for a week or so and then throw a wobbly. I experienced it first hand the other day: First the power steering light started to flash, so I turned off the ignition, removed the key and re-started the engine. It was OK for a minute or so, then the instrument cluster went completely dead, dials/gauges dropped to zero, mileage and clock displays went completely blank though the car was still driving perfectly. a little while later all the warning lights came on, the displays and the dials/gauges came back, after another restart it was fine with only the airbag light on. Sometimes it will lose its steering assistance as well.

So far I have replaced the X relay, thinking along the lines of a power supply interruption to the engine control unit. I think that the next step is to check out the power supply to the instrument cluster.

N/S wheel arch wiring loom corrosion ?

Thanks for that, the car in question has been to a Skoda dealer who replaced the battery and did check for water ingress into the loom, though it wouldn't do any harm to check this out. I did an Internet search and found that someone had a similar problem with a Golf - that turned out to be corrosion within the Engine Control Unit. Problems like this tend to have a straightforward solution, the biggest obstacle is getting the car to consistently reproduce the fault. It's starting to get personal with this car and I am determined not to let it beat me.

Keep those ideas coming.

A follow up to this, I checked the wiring loom and there was a little water in there, though it was obvious that someone had been there before me. I started the car one morning and the fault appeared, did a scan with many of the same faults above. I did a little bit of thinking and came to the conclusion that it was a dodgy dash panel insert. Thanks to VAG Tacho 2.2 I was in a position to swap in a panel from another car ( I didn't have any SKCs for the immobilisers). So far after 200 miles of testing the car has behaved faultlessly. The question is:

"Is it fixed?"

fingers crossed eh.

Must admit my choice would have been the cluster. Handy to have another one to test.

Very handy, phoned up my favourite Skoda breaker and he hasn't got one in the part number that I need, looks like it will be a Find A part request on Monday, we have the donor car slightly immobile at the moment. The car has been sold now, so if it does have any problems within the next 6 months we'll be sure to hear about them.