16th Nov 2008, 15:13

I got a 1.4l 8V Comfort Fabia in blue on the 12th, 4 days ago.

The lights flicker whilst steering.

Steering is odd. seems to get stiff on odd occasions.

There is a odd noise whilst steering.

After reading all the comments I think the temp gauge may be faulty as well.

I thought there was an out of place cable which caused the lights to flicker and the steering to become stiff on odd occasions.

Anybody has this problem and know what I need please email me at ashhill16@googlemail.com.

14th Dec 2008, 09:26

I have a Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v Sport on a 05 plate. Never had a days problem with it. Very reliable. Always starts first time. However, the engine management light has just come on. Engine runs fine with small dip in the revs on tickover. When sitting behind other vehicles at lights I notice headlights are flickering as if battery may be low/alternator not charging.

Someone said it's just vibration from engine but I'm not convinced.

Car has done 21k miles.

Also noticed slight water leak in front passenger footwell.

19th Dec 2008, 16:23

I have a 1.4 Skoda Fabia Classic, 51 Reg, 50,000 miles.

Last year the engine management light came on intermittently - typically it disappeared when I took it in for it's service and MOT, and 3 weeks later it stayed on permanently.

A year down the line with the engine management light on for a whole year, I've just taken it for its latest MOT and service and paid £500 for service and replacement temp sensor among other things. Light came back on after first journey!

Taken back to garage again and just had lambda sensor and steering angle sensor replaced for £300 - engine management came back on after a day.

Am so sick of this engine management light and all of the money I'm throwing into this car. Can anyone suggest why this is happening?

12th Jan 2009, 12:29

I have read the above about all the problems with the Fabia. I have a 1.9 SDI diesel, and had two problems. One I have sorted, that's why I'm trying to help. The power steering getting heavy and failing. I topped the fluid level up. It's in a terrible place under the battery; it's a pain to get to, but that's all it was. Now I have a knocking noise when I drive; trying to sort that one.

11th Feb 2009, 07:34

Hi. My 2001 Skoda Fabia 16v (30,000 miles) has just started experiencing the same engine management problems that so many other people have talked about. I too have taken it to my local garage and each time they have run tests and reset it. I've been told it could be one of 300 problems and that it could take a long time and quite a lot of money to sort out (which, reading the other comments, seems an understatement!).

I notice that one person drove their car for a year with the light on. Does anyone know if it is safe to do this or should I really invest the money into sorting out the problem?

22nd Mar 2009, 13:55

X reg Fabia:

Engine management light on, engine oil light on, washer bottle light on, traction control light on, now and again ABS and brake light on, faulty light bulb light on (sometimes), passenger and drivers windows mechanism broke within weeks of each other, radiator leaks.

Had all these problems for 15 months, done 26000 miles, only bought petrol and brake pads, oil for it...

Car drives well, heated seats and A/C work :)

Low maintenance car if you ignore the warning lights.

24th Mar 2009, 04:19

Hi, I've owned a Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v W reg for less than a week, and in that week this is what's happened..

* Erratic idle, and car acceleration stays up even when you release the accelerator, some times giving it a kick forward. Had the throttle body cleaned & two sensors, still same as it was before.

* Idle dropped low to the point it felt like it would cut out, turned engine off and on.. worked fine.

* Steering light came on (goes off if you restart the engine).

* Heaters work when they feel like it.

* I unlocked the doors and the windows came down.

* Lights flickering

I've had a diagnostics done.. returned nothing, mechanic wants to charge me £35 to check for loose earth wire connection, but I think I'm going to pay the extra £30 and take it to Skoda, hopefully they can tell me what's wrong, and I'm praying it's not the ECU.

Other than that, the car drives lovely. I think I'm even getting used to sounding like a boy racer at traffic lights LOL.

All in all though, a lovely car, just seems to be plagued by silly faults.

15th Apr 2009, 05:53

An update on my stall comment dated 20th August 2008... To try to cure the problem I have now had a new EGR valve, a new lambda sensor, a new ECU, a new camshaft sensor, new fuel and pollen filters, new spark plugs and had the throttle cleaned. I ALWAYS drive it on high octane fuel, NOT from a supermarket. And still it stalls. Almost always within the 1st 20 minutes of any journey. At best the rev counter dips and returns, at worst the car stalls at 70mph and stays stalled until I pull over and turn it back on. Usually the car stalls then bump starts itself - a bit unnerving. Local Skoda dealer has no more ideas. I'm told it may be the main electrical relay (possibly £400 to replace). By the way I have a spare 2nd hand ECU!

18th Apr 2009, 09:31

Yeah, don't buy a Skoda, I have put two comments on here (DAN) now the gearbox is gone. So much for the reliable economic little motor... oh even worse, that new re-designed anti roll bar they are on about.. yep you've guessed it, what a crock of s**t.

22nd Apr 2009, 06:33

Hello, I have recently bought a Skoda Fabia for my son. It is a 1.4mpi and has the problem of flickering headlights when steering!

I have read the many articles on this problem, and there does not seem to be a definite answer.

The rotation sensor seems favorite, but as an electrical engineer I do not understand why this should effect the lights because its job is to switch on power to the steering pump. Surely the fact that voltage is dropping to the lights is a supply problem ie bad earth or high resistance somewhere or defective battery?

Otherwise the car is great.

Could any auto electrician help me please.

Thank you.