Skoda Octavia Problem, please help

[vittorianna]

Hi,

I was just wondering what the problem could be with my Skoda Octavia 1.9 tdi glx(meant to be very similar to the VW Bora) the glow plug light keeps flashing and I can start the car. This doesn't all the time.

The engine turns over, but won’t start. The glow plug light will flash while the engine is turning could this be an immobiliser problem as the Skoda garage doesn’t know what the problem is (they couldn't find anything on their diagnostic kit).

The glow plug light will also flash occasionally when driving and the engine will almost cut out. I have also found that after 7 or 8 attempts at trying to start the engine the oil light will come on for 10 secs and switch off.

I have a feeling that this car is destined for Skoda hell.

Any advice given will be gratefully received.

Cheers

Vittorianna

[fordfan]

A flashing glow plug light is indicative of an engine management fault. Have come across a similar thing before (on a 1.9SDi), the diagnostic said that the the ECU had been blocked by the immobiliser, this car also used to start occasionally without any problem. We had to replace the dash panel insert (the owner got a used one and you need the PIN codes for both dash panels), and erase the learned values in the ECU when coding the two to work.

[TeflonTom]

the oil warning light comes on because of low oil pressure, becuase of the repeated attemps to start the engine

[vittorianna]

Hi Fordfan & TeflonTom,

Thank you for your replies

Update:

The glow plug light no longer comes on (all the other lights do except this one) and the engine turns over, but wont start.
If I continue to try and turn the engine over I get a loud warning noise.

How much would it cost (roughly) to fix the engine management fault?

Skoda dealership wont give me an idea on what the problem could be (was told it could be 1 of 30 things) or how much it may cost to fix the problem.

Thanks again for your replies

Vittorianna

[fordfan]

A new dash panel I think is in the region of £400. The specialist work is involved in setting it up with your cars current odometer reading and getting the immobiliser to work with the ECU - Skoda VAS, VAG1552 or VAG Com is required to do this along with the correct procedure, and
your immobiliser PIN.

If you are thinking of getting a used one there are many variations, you will need to go by the part number on the back of the panel and you will need the PIN for this as well. This too will need specialist work to get it to work with the ECU. As with all used parts there is a possibility that this too would have a fault or could develop a fault, therefore a dealer will not be able to guarantee it.