Sometimes won't start when warm/hot

Tiny
FLEMING111
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 SKODA FABIA
  • 24,000 MILES
Skoda Fabia 1.2 petrol ABS light usually stays lit when it does start eventually. Car always starts 1st time from cold. If driven and hot when stopped, when I go to restart, say 10 minutes later, engine turns but makes no attempt to start. If left to stand for 5 mins then usually starts OK, or if push-started starts easily. But ABS light often remains lit for remainder of journey only going out when car restarted.
Fault is intermittent - sometimes starts fine whether warm or hot irrespective of how long it's been stopped for. Recently serviced - apparently no faults showed up on diagnostic computer. Been using BP ultimate.
Tuesday, October 8th, 2013 AT 6:56 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Although we don't have that car here so we don't have any specifics on it, the diagnostic procedure for a no start is the same.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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Tuesday, October 8th, 2013 AT 7:15 AM
Tiny
MBH-DK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi FLEMING111,

Did you find a solution to your problem with your Skoda, I have the same fault syntom
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Monday, February 1st, 2016 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
This question is 2 years old and belongs to someone else. If you need help with something, please start a new question of your own.
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Monday, February 1st, 2016 AT 10:57 AM

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