Random, thy name is Fabia

[ranger62]

I think my 2000 Fabia Comfort 1.4 16v must be female with its propensity to change its mind at random at expense to my wallet!

Had EGR valve and lambda sensor replaced a few years ago. Last year the engine management light came on, but with no obvious fault and even passed its MOT. Diagnostic said EGR valve fault. 'Sod that!' I thought, its only a year old. So foolishly or not I just continued to drive it with the engine light on. Then the EPC light started showing intermittently. Then I began experiencing notable faults - erratic idling which gradually got worse until I began getting stalls.

Right, time to finally bite the bullet and get this sorted. Diagnostic was showing EGR valve fault still, but now also MAP sensor fault. After I left the garage from this initial diagnostic my warning lights were gone and the engine was running like new again. Fantastic, I thought. This jubilation only lasted 6 hours before the faults came back and the warning lights returned. Only now the fault seemed worse and it was stalling alarmingly regularly. So I booked it in and an hour later they called back saying the parts needed replacing and that I'd better sit down. With parts & labour I was looking at £300+ (and this is a private independent garage with sensible labour charges). He was honest and helpful enough to suggest I try and get parts myself cheaper from other sources (2nd hand, internet, etc).

So I collected my car, did my chasing around and finally made a saving of £80 by getting my parts from Jorily. Of course they are coming from Czech Republic so it will be next week before they arrive, so I called in at the garage to postpone the repair job. As I leave the garage (this was yesterday about 2pm) I notice the warnig lights have all gone and my car is now running perfectly again.

What the hell is going off!?!?!?!?

My parts arrive next Tuesday. I guess I just hang on to them until the inevitable happens and the faults return. My next car will be Japanese...

Darren.