GoodDoc

My mother drives an 2001 Fabia 1.4 8v (Irish spec, it lives in Dublin). About two or three weeks ago, what she refers to as 'The Yellow Light' came on. She took it to her mechanic and he plugged it to read the fault code. As a result of all that, the thermostat housing and sensor where replaced and the system flushed (174EUR). Job done.

Yesterday 'The Yellow Light' came back on, and back she went to her Mechanic. This time the error code was "internal control module memory fault in sum error". Now you may want to interpret that error with a bit of poetic license, but it stumped the Mechanic to the extent that he has gone off to check with head office to find out what the message means. He did say to her that if it needed a new 'module' (I'm guessing engine management, but it could be anything) that could cost between 200 - 300EUR.

The car is in reasonably good condition with 45k miles under it's belt, and she's happy to put the money into it, but she's wondering if the recent work is related to the new error, and has anyone experienced this sort of error before.

Cheers in advance!
Conor.

cjb

Sounds like a problem in the ECU. An exchange or refurb would be cheaper than a new one.

I doubt the work caused the problem.

Have a look here:
ATP Electronic Developments Ltd.

__________________
-- Chris
----------------------------------------------------
The Devil may care, but I don't mind.

GoodDoc

Well the local mechanic has come back and suggested she take it to one of the main Skoda Dealers in Dublin as they will have a newer version of the Diagnostic software.

The mechanic said that an update of 'software' might help with the problem. I'm assuming he means an update to the ECU but he might mean the dealer will have updated software. This seems unlikely to me, but if the ECU has gone bang then maybe a main dealer is the place to be. Does a software update sound like a plausible solution?

Does anyone have any experience of Phoenix Motors in Dublin?

Cheers,
GoodDoc

fordfan

It will be 6335 check sum error which is usually terminal for ECUs, it suggests that there is a fault with the units internal memory. The dealer, from the start will want to get you into £500 worth of new ECU. My advise is to clear it and see if it comes back. It shouldn't be related to the thermostat work.

GoodDoc

The local mechanic has already cleared the fault code twice, but the warning light reappears. Looking more and more like a dead ECU, but all advice greatly received.

GoodDoc

So the car was dropped off at the dealer yesterday and they came back with an answer. Any guesses as to what the source of the problem is .......

Well done anyone who said (drum role please)..... Fuel Filter!

That's right, the fuel filter. Apart from now wondering when the last time my mother had the car serviced she's rather pleased that the replacement part is a fuel filter and not an ECU.

My mother did say that the warning light came on shortly after she had stalled the car while pulling away from a junction because she'd left the car in second. The dealer suggested that this may have caused the problem , but if someone can explain how I'd be keen to know. The best I can come up with is some sort of pressure issue in the fuel feed or it simply sucked up some gunk from tank, neither of which are making much sense to me.

Car is booked in next week to have the filter replaced and hopefully it does turn out to be as simple as that.