I have a 1999 1.3 Felicia that will not start all the time. It might start now to go to the shop. Stop, come back out in 10 minutes and the car is dead. Leave it for 30 minutes and it will work fine.

It isn't affected by the weather.

The Lamba and MAP sensors have been changed without success.

My local Skoda dealer has given up on the problem and the only solution he has found is to disconnect the MAP sensor altogether.

Interestingly, leaving the MAP sensor disconnected , the car works perfectly.

Its a very strange and very annoying problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This is probably just too simple, but:

When the Missus got her Octavia in 2006 it was our first encounter with fuel injected engines, which meant that we had to learn not to touch the accelerator when starting.

However, we had the same starting problems as you describe: after a short run and a few minutes stop it didn't start. When completely cold or fully warmed up, no problems

So I did what I should ahve done with a carburator: A slight pressure on the accelerator, and WRROOM!

Since then I've got a Felly for myself and it's exactly the same thing.

I have very foggy notions of what a MAP sensor does, but it has something to do with open/closed throttle, so might be a connection.

But I guess you've already tried this simple trick?

Thanks for the reply.

I have tried using the accelerator but without success.

The car has been fitted with an ignition button (before my time) so it makes the timing of using the accelerator quite difficult.

I wouldn't think you would have to use the accelerator to start it. I have only done this with mine only on slendom occasions when it simply refuses to start. Usually when it needs a good service! Its not always the best idea to rev a cold engine either.

I recently was your car serviced? It may simply be damp - it might be worth trying WD40 in the distributor cap as a starting point.

I have a 1999 1.3 Felicia that will not start all the time. It might start now to go to the shop. Stop, come back out in 10 minutes and the car is dead. Leave it for 30 minutes and it will work fine.

It isn't affected by the weather.

The Lamba and MAP sensors have been changed without success.

My local Skoda dealer has given up on the problem and the only solution he has found is to disconnect the MAP sensor altogether.

Interestingly, leaving the MAP sensor disconnected , the car works perfectly.

Its a very strange and very annoying problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

When it isn't starting is it turning over slowly and struggling or is there nothing at all. If turning over slowly then is the battery or alternator working ok in this cold weather? Intermittent faults can occur with the alternator in particular.

Another possibility is that the crankshaft sensor may be faulty as this can lead to poor starting. Try cleaning the connections first. This is located by the base of the dipstick and see what happens.

Again the MAP sensor is only as good as its connection so i would check the wiring connector and clean with electrical contact cleaner which can be bought from Maplins or Halfrauds.

Finally make sure that the throttle body is clean.

If no good come back and tell us some more so that we can get to the bottom of it