guess the fault, help the dealer!

[illzlee]

alright people, some folks may remember i posted ages ago regarding the fault with my 2.0 16v cordy - intermittent starting problems, it's now 8 months i've been without a car and GK Seat are trying my patience.....they re changing bits i've already done!

with the estimated repair bill in excess of £800 i'm open to guesses/ideas/offers!

problem seems to be electrical despite all ignition parts replaced & ecu tested.

any clues?

 

[&rew]

Had a similar problem... dodgy sensor. Would've thought it would show up when the diagnostic was run on the ECU though?

 

[andyj]

did you ever try the ECU control relay?

 

[ibiza_95]

did you try the fuel pump relay... thats what it was on mine, and was on 5 finger discount from the scrappers

 

[phil8vgti]

is the firing order right obvious i know but most cars i see have simple faults

 

[illzlee]

yep, did the ecu relay.

never tried the fiel pump relay, the latest fault GK have come up with in injector 'drip' lining the bores resulting in no compression. other times it's fine tho. all electrics are fine and the injectors have already been tested by lucas (i had them done previously).

A word to the wise on GK Derby - they openly admit they don't know a lot about my car as it's too old!!! ('99 cordoba!) seems they are gettin all their ideas from Seat technical.

also, the firing order is right as GK have replaced coil, distributor, leads, plugs...........its working out that i could have an engine conversion done cheaper!

 

[Saul]

have you got a fuel leak? the hoses do perish and fuel can leak out

blocked fuel filter?

had the immobilser checked?

is it out of time? do all the notches on the head and flywheel/gearbox match up?

new plugs its had i take it?

they did the coil, did they do the rotor arm?

 

[Cupra Kid]

Thats a shame about GK derby because they were so good with my mum when they sold her a new car. However if you dont mind going a bit further afield there is a specialist VW & Citroen garagew in Chesterfield, they are very good there i have taken all my VAG's there and they have always found the problem and sorted it cheaply and occasionally for free when it was something small. They also know the old model engines very well as they deal with VAG's of all ages. The numbers 01246 278181. Speak to the owner (i think his names craig) he is very good at diagnosing over the phone.

 

[illzlee]

no visible fuel leaks, never got round to doin the fuel filter - although i have one in the shed so may be worth doing if i ever get the car back. If and when GK give up i might take it to that garage in chesterfield especially if they deal in older seat engines. GK admit they don't know anything about 'older' seats.......doesn't inspire confidence.....

not checked the immobiliser, all electrics seem ok, it runs fine so i assume the timing can't be out. It's had new plugs and rotor arm too.

appreciate the help guys, keep the ideas flowing!

 

[Kai_1600]

did you try the fuel pump relay... thats what it was on mine, and was on 5 finger discount from the scrappers

That died on my ibiza as well, was only £4 or something from down the road, would turn over and rev when starting then die regardless of how much right foot you gave it....

 

[Colin C]

Hard to diagnose the fault by your description, but I had a 2.0 16valve Ibiza GTI ( approx 98 model year ) with intermitent start problems. The problem is with the relay plate / holder under the dash on the drivers side, they suffer from bad connections internally and cause all sorts of weird starting issues as it supplies feeds to the fuel pump, immobiliser etc. It is pretty easy to change as all the wiring just plugs into it.


GK Derby most likely aren't getting loads of help from SEAT Technical because their most experienced guy, especially with the older SEAT's has apparently left

ex SEAT Master Tech.

 

[illzlee]

thanks for that colin c, i think i'll try the relay plate holder thing as GK appear to be stumped along with me - it's worth a go!

 

[Cupra Kid]

best of luck mate, better than GK charging you a high hourly rate for achieving nothing, unfortunately it seems to of got the way at dealers that if a laptop cant tell them whats broke on the car they're fcuked.

 

[Colin C]

thanks for that colin c, i think i'll try the relay plate holder thing as GK appear to be stumped along with me - it's worth a go!

Buy a new relay plate rather than a second hand unit as the second hand unit could also have the same fault as yours.

 

[illzlee]

Gk are now saying htat the fault lies with my ECU, and are quoting £500+ for a new unit as they don't fit recon units. This takes my bill to £1200+ for a cordy worth £2.5K.

two questions:

1. Does anyone know of a reputable place offering recon ecus/will recon ecus

2. Is anyone interested in a cordy for an engine conversion? whole car is pukka apart from the engine!

 

[andyj]

any chance you could try swapping ECU's with someone to try that theory out ?!?

 

[ibiza_95]

id tell em where to go and get ur car back...
sounds to me theyre just havin a giggle with ur money, and just testing out theories!!!!

 

[m0rk]

You can borrow my ECU if you like - it's perfect working order & sat in my garage waiting to be fitted later in the year for my engine swap

when I say borrow, I mean leave me with a big ass cash deposit

 

[andyj]

you'd just need someone with a laptop & vag-com to swap the immobiliser codes over

 

[m0rk]

immo's a seperate unit on the mk2 - I'm pretty sure it'll just 'swap' but will check