Stu Le Taxi

Hi everyone

What do you think on this one?

Got a '99 Octy 1.9tdi 165,000 miles used as a Taxi

Over last couple of weeks noticed very occasionally the glow plug light coming on for a split second (usually when accelerating in a high gear) at precisely the same moment the engine loses power momentarily and then clears.
Yesterday, on the way to the airport and back, some 120 miles, the same thing occurred maybe two or three times, including, on the approach to a roundabout, the engine quitting completely. Managed to get the thing started before I ran out of road! However, about 20 miles from home at 60 mph, engine dies completely, between 60mph and 20mph as it slowed, I cranked it maybe four times all in vain, until, admitting defeat, ended up on the verge (of insanity? )

Tried the engine a few more times, now I noticed that whilst the engine was spinning normally, it still wasn't firing and there was no sign of the glowplug light at all, also a couple of times in the 'futile cranking' period I noticed a slight noise from the steering column area that sounded like a cross between a very fast relay type click and the fizzing sound you get when you 'half' turn on a light switch at home, this sound has disappeared completely now.

Got the car to my mechanic, who plugged it to a diagnostic machine, came back that it couldn't read whatever it was trying to read, 'No Transmission' I think it said!
He couldn't figure it out and it's now booked into Skoda main dealer next week.

Anybody got any ideas, not that i'm paranoid about main dealers or anything
I just don't want to get into replacing stuff willy nilly 'to see if that cures it' !

So far, it's been suggested by various mechanics, that it could be various things but the top two so far seem to be, fuel pump problem or new dash binnacle with all the circuit boards behind!!

Cheers
Stu

pdhealy

"No transmission" could be as simple as a dodgy lead or bad connection to either the computer or OBD plug. It's worth trying a few times.

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Stu Le Taxi

Hi, thanks for the reply, will have a look at that before it goes in to dealer, I'll post the outcome later!

Stu

fordfan

It could be the X relay, (do a search on here for relay 109). If it fails it will cause the car to cut out as it supplies power to the ECU and as it clicks in and out you will hear it clicking from the lower right of the stering column. If you don't know about it, it can be tricky to diagnose if the car runs as it doesn't leave any fault codes behind.

Access to the relays is gained by removing the cover from around the pedals.

It is known as relay 109 as it usually has 109 printed on it and costs about £15 to £20.

This was more of a problem on the pre facelift (glass headlamp Octavias).

Stu Le Taxi

Thanks Fordfan, having checked through the posts looks like that could be it! Everyone seems to have the same symptoms as me!
Will try popping a new one in before it has to go to the dealer, will let you know!
Stu

Stu Le Taxi

Update ... Relay 109 WAS the problem, when I cracked the old one open, smelt of burnt electrickery! New one (grey) went in, fired up straight away!!

Many thanks, you've saved me a bundle!!

Stu

fordfan

Thanks for the feedback, it's nice to know that I hit the nail on the head. The downside is that there is now no excuse for getting back to work .

Lummox

Well done Fordfan, that would have also been my diagnosis.

Common one but very often overlooked.

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