What is wrong?

[Sky8807]

The only indicator that remains on is the battery light but I read the manual & it states that is normal & it goes off after I step on the accelerator when the engine is already running.

Pg 55 of the manual did not mention it is normal.It mention that the light goes out when the engine is started. Need to sent to agent to check otherwise.

 

I asked the mech if it will spoil the car or any of its mechanism inside it if I stepped on the accelerator which cranking it but he said no because the sensor is already spoilt. Was advised not to crank too long.

Normal start do not require to depress accelerator. What sensor spoilt seem to me as no logic. Starting engine refer to pg44.

 

If you reads the manual, it stats clearly normal operating temperature is at the middle and not on the left. Something is wrong with your system.

[Tea3]

Will point that out to the mech reg lighted battery indicator.

 

Which system is wrong? Temperature system? Maybe it's on the left because sensor is spoilt?

[Sky8807]

battery light illuminated could be the alternator giving problem, hope not because this is one expensive item.

 

Even though the fabia is a humble car, but the technology and system she uses to power the car is rather complicated and can be very hi-tech.

 

I would not let any mechanic touch the car electronic and sensors if I do not know what he is doing. This car is no an ordinary car where any mech can fix easily without creating more problem.

 

simple job like change oil, brakes pad, wheels balance and mechanical repair is alright.

agent is still the most logical solution for you problem, even though expensive. I suspect someone remove you thermostat, that why you temperature is not normal. don't know what else were being disturbed and altered.

 

my 0.2 cent worth.

[Zen]

honestly speaking, I hope you are really getting the right fix from the mechanic. But like some others here, it doesn't sound like it make sense to me for wht the mechanic has diagnosed.

[Tea3]

"battery light illuminated could be the alternator giving problem, hope not because this is one expensive item."

 

I seriously hope not either.

 

"I would not let any mechanic touch the car electronic and sensors if I do not know what he is doing. This car is no an ordinary car where any mech can fix easily without creating more problem."

 

I reckon Servo would be competent to do those stuff.

 

"simple job like change oil, brakes pad, wheels balance and mechanical repair is alright.

agent is still the most logical solution for you problem, even though expensive. I suspect someone remove you thermostat, that why you temperature is not normal. don't know what else were being disturbed and altered."

 

After all these discussion, I have decided to change the car battery & spark plugs to new ones. If problem still persists, then I know it has nothing to do with the above. Being a newbie, I would appreciate some advice.

Stamford Tyres has some promotions for Denso Iridium Spark Plugs. Workmanship at ST reliable & competent? Are the plugs good?

I do not know which brand to choose i.e. Yuasa (ST got promo now), AC Delco (this is a battery brand, right?) etc (what other brands available in the market?) & whether to have maintenance free or not (advantages vs disadvantages). Again, safe to let Stamford Tyres change the battery & plugs for me?

Will be going there to re-align one of the car wheels. What are their opening hours?

 

Appreciate your advice & help.

[Sky8807]

I reckon Servo would be competent to do those stuff.

I don't know about servo. Personally I would not use them for trouble shooting problem.

 

After all these discussion, I have decided to change the car battery & spark plugs to new ones. If problem still persists, then I know it has nothing to do with the above. Being a

newbie, I would appreciate some advice.

Stamford Tyres has some promotions for Denso Iridium Spark Plugs. Workmanship at ST reliable & competent? Are the plugs good?

I would not recommend iridium plugs for fabia,Use back normal original plugs.

reasons - extra cost with little or no real benefit. but the choice is yours

 

I do not know which brand to choose i.e. Yuasa (ST got promo now), AC Delco (this is a battery brand, right?) etc (what other brands available in the market?) & whether to have maintenance free or not (advantages vs disadvantages). Again, safe to let Stamford Tyres change the battery & plugs for me?

For battery, you really need a good one, get the german type, pay more but last longer and less problem later.

If you let them change the plugs, I suggest you be there to see. The plugs are only accessible when the electronic high voltage convertor are removed. Fabia is sort of direct ignition type of system. No distributor, not cables like other common car. The unit is secured by allen key and a electricl cable connector. It is attached on top of the four plugs and it is an assy itself.Like I say, this is not an ordinary car.

 

If the mechanic is competent and know about this car, then no problem, if he is not familiar, then he can cause damage that you would not even know of until later. Are u against the agent servicing and that is why u did not want them to service the car.

 

So far, I have not done any wheel alignment, except balancing only, so unable to comment.

[Wildwilly]

Totally agree & might i add, before you actually pin down the actual cause of your problem, it is not advisable to add new variable to the equation. Like changing to iridium plugs. I know of a case where a workshop actually recommended and used wrong Platinum plugs part for a car and caused some problems to the car later.

[Saaber]

Using a wrong plugs could cause very serious damage like damaged pistons which will require expensive overhaul.....

[Beanoyip]

Actually, ocassionally i have this problem as well. The car takes a couple of cranks to start up. But i heard from ppl saying, if u turn the key once, let the electronics start up, then turn to start the engine. Shd be better. Maybe switching off your air con and HU before shutting down ur engine would be preferred?

[Tea3]

Actually, ocassionally i have this problem as well. The car takes a couple of cranks to start up. But i heard from ppl saying, if u turn the key once, let the electronics start up, then turn to start the engine. Shd be better. Maybe switching off your air con and HU before shutting down ur engine would be preferred?

 

 

I always let the electronics to start up first, & step on the clutch before cranking. I also switch on air con etc after engine has already started up, & switch them all off before turning the engine off.

Hmm, so you face the same problem too. At least yours is occasionally only. Mine, every time I go pump petrol or air.

[Tea3]

"For battery, you really need a good one, get the german type, pay more but last longer and less problem later."

 

You know the name?

 

"If the mechanic is competent and know about this car, then no problem, if he is not familiar, then he can cause damage that you would not even know of until later. Are u against the agent servicing and that is why u did not want them to service the car."

 

So you think it is safer to bring it to the agent i.e Czech Auto change the battery & plugs? Any either how much that would cost to get it done there? Not really against. Just that I have read how cars go in there & come out with bumps & dents, & how some people got certain things done cheaper than the agent.

[Tea3]

"Totally agree & might i add, before you actually pin down the actual cause of your problem, it is not advisable to add new variable to the equation. Like changing to iridium plugs. I know of a case where a workshop actually recommended and used wrong Platinum plugs part for a car and caused some problems to the car later."

 

So, you think it is fine if I just change normal spark plugs & battery?

[Fabiaman]

Tea3, sorry to hear of your mishap.

 

May I know if u r driving a Auto version?

 

I know Fabia has this problem as you have described but those problems are just happening to the Auto versions.

[Acemundo]

Well, my car isn't brand new. It's second hand & I bought it 3 weeks ago. Dealer told me it's one year old but when I received statement from loan company, it stated there "Manufactured year: 2000". That's beside the point.

Went to Czech Auto & they said the car is no longer under warranty. Just sent it for servicing last week & my mech has ordered a new sensor.

 

 

 

 

Usually there is some time lapse between year of manufacture and year of registration. That's not a great concern.

 

However, sorry to tell you that Fabia (Auto) has got some very serious problem. My colleague told me his car broke down on the expressway on the very first day of his collection of car. The problem could not be satisfactorily solved on many visits to the workshop. Heard from him something like 6 out of the first 9 month of the car was spent in the workshop.

 

When he approached Volkswagen group Sales Director (Skoda being owned by Volkswagen), they could not help him on it also.

 

The problem was finanlly solved after numerous trial and errors. According to my friend, there are only 36 units of Fabia Auto in Singapore and all were under the JTA dealership. Czech Auto did not bring in anymroe auto units as they are still monitoring the situation for Fabia.

 

Not sure if my friend's info was outdated. But it definitely is somewhat a concern.

[Sky8807]

Hoppecke battery is good and lasting. I think is more than $150 a piece. It's expensive but good and recommended by agent as well.

 

Is your fabia auto or manual?

 

For me, buying 2nd car, first thing to do is sent to agent for servicing and check, have to spent more first, then look out for other workshop for future servicing.

 

Which agent charge cheaper than outside workshop? So far none that I know of, if fact skoda is not that expensive when you compare with other agent, most of the brothers and sisters here, go to agent because its free and also sacred warranty is void. Compare prices when the servicing is not free, you will find the our is not the cheapest nor the most expensive, somewhere in between.

[Sky8807]

The problem was finanlly solved after numerous trial and errors. According to my friend, there are only 36 units of Fabia Auto in Singapore and all were under the JTA dealership. Czech Auto did not bring in anymore auto units as they are still monitoring the situation for Fabia.

 

Didn't know there are so many auto around. Thought there are only a few units sold. Anyway, I have heard abt the auto with problematic stall and starting and breakdown problems.

 

The ECU is one of the main culprit, I know of one auto where they change 3 ECU and yet cannot solve during JTA times. What I understand the ECU for auto which is different from the manual is made in spain and have problems.

Edited February 24, 2003 by Sky8807

[Saaber]

Hoppecke battery is good and lasting. I agree but it must be made in Germany one and not the made in Malaysia one....

[Acemundo]

Yes, my colleague also got ECU problem......But its quite surprising that fabia coming from a prestigious group like volkswagen did not undergo comprehensive testing before being introduced to the roads.