Odd starting problem, 1.2 05 fabia.
Discussion
My Dad has a 1.2 3cyl manual Fabia which has been well behaved generally over a year+.
Recently it has failed to start occasionally.
It was stopped on a slight uphill, the engine span a tiny amount when starting then went completely non responsive. The dashboard lights come on but it makes no attempt to turn over the engine.
Letting off the handbrake and rolling back, then releasing the clutch in reverse so the engine span slightly and the car started up fine.
2nd time the car wouldn't start I managed to push it back and again clutch out in reverse and it started again.
Recently its been fine but today it did the same again, pointing slightly downhill it was completely unresponsive but the dash lit up. After pushing it backwards then rolling it forward and releasing the clutch in 1st it still wouldn't do anything.
When there was room I decided to try putting it in reverse and cranking the engine, it moved on the starter motor backwards a few revolutions, I dipped the clutch then it started up.
It's a bit odd but it seems the engine needs to go in reverse before it will start when this happens, is there any sort of sensor that could be at fault here?
Thanks.
Recently it has failed to start occasionally.
It was stopped on a slight uphill, the engine span a tiny amount when starting then went completely non responsive. The dashboard lights come on but it makes no attempt to turn over the engine.
Letting off the handbrake and rolling back, then releasing the clutch in reverse so the engine span slightly and the car started up fine.
2nd time the car wouldn't start I managed to push it back and again clutch out in reverse and it started again.
Recently its been fine but today it did the same again, pointing slightly downhill it was completely unresponsive but the dash lit up. After pushing it backwards then rolling it forward and releasing the clutch in 1st it still wouldn't do anything.
When there was room I decided to try putting it in reverse and cranking the engine, it moved on the starter motor backwards a few revolutions, I dipped the clutch then it started up.
It's a bit odd but it seems the engine needs to go in reverse before it will start when this happens, is there any sort of sensor that could be at fault here?
Thanks.
Sounds like the starter engages and locks up. Was a common symptom on the older starter types of wear, but on pre engaged starters could be a lot of things. On the other hand, it could just be a battery problem. or an earth problem or a solenoid bad contact problem . Other experts might be along to diagnose , but if not ,there's always the Fabia 1 forum on Briskoda.net.
Who me said:
Sounds like the starter engages and locks up. Was a common symptom on the older starter types of wear, but on pre engaged starters could be a lot of things. On the other hand, it could just be a battery problem. or an earth problem or a solenoid bad contact problem . Other experts might be along to diagnose , but if not ,there's always the Fabia 1 forum on Briskoda.net.
Interestingly my Dad rammed it hard up the curb that last time, I wondered if maybe it was something getting knocked. It seems odd that with the clutch down it wouldn't try to start, with the clutch out in neutral it wouldn't try to start, but in reverse with the clutch out it was turning over with enough grunt to move the car, so I don't think its a lack of battery power, but could be earth related. I don't think clutch out in 1st gear is something thats been tried yet.
Often this occurs when the engine is warm but has been used for shortish trips. So maybe a warm solenoid sticking could be the problem, I think the car is around 70k miles.
I think it may be the solenoid or the cables to it.
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/240679-help-c...
This describes what happens and the side that rammed the curb was the side with the battery, so will investigate with a hammer soon.
http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/240679-help-c...
This describes what happens and the side that rammed the curb was the side with the battery, so will investigate with a hammer soon.
Today when it wouldn't start I jiggled the wire and it started straight up.
It's raining now but tomorrow, if its a bit dryer, then i will take out the battery to get to it, then solder something in its place.
I think the jolt from my Dad smacking it up the curb may have stretched it abit as its quite tight and comes out of a plastic tube at quite an angle.
Thanks for your suggestions, it helped me search for the answer.
It's raining now but tomorrow, if its a bit dryer, then i will take out the battery to get to it, then solder something in its place.
I think the jolt from my Dad smacking it up the curb may have stretched it abit as its quite tight and comes out of a plastic tube at quite an angle.
Thanks for your suggestions, it helped me search for the answer.
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