Babbler

Guest
All,
Excuse the long first post but going mad :( - need to sort or dump the car.

Had my 02 Ibiza for just under a year now and its been quite problematic :(

Recently the battery drains after just 2 days sitting on the drive (weekends but not every weekend - intermittent!). The last time this happened - I recharged the battery fine but when starting the engine straight away it came up with the ECU light and Check engine light. There was no response from the throttle either.

I turned it off and an hour later returned - all was ok but engine light still on.

A few weeks ago I had the throttle alignment done (again after flat battery) on it as the same codes had come up back then but not straight away after charge - and had to pull over on motorway! They charged £50 and "fixed" the issue. Now claiming it needs a full throttle change or something? For £500! (aint happening!).

They checked the battery and that was ok according to them as was the alternator.

It had the ECU unit changed within a month of getting it as there were repeated codes etc. so don't think that's the fault?


There was also issues a few months back with codes and the garage changed a little "T" valve which they say was clogged?

Could all this be a single (cheap to fix hopefully) fault?

Not the best with cars so excuse the loose terminology.
 
Just checked the dates and the codes came the first time after the initial flat battery - the next day while driving it! So I don't trust the computer is reporting correctly! :/
 
Narrowed the battery drain down to the Alternator diodes - at least it looks likely :(

So as I cant afford a new one it seems the only option is to sell it and get a bike! :p
 
Ok - so it wasn't that. It was the auxiliary relay taking it down...
 
I'm having a similar problem just wondered what engine mk3 is this on and which is the auxiliary relay??
 
Thought I was alone on here - :D

Its a 1.4 mk3.

The relay is behind the battery. Some electrician sorted it for me. It controls the internal lights I believe. But been good so far!

Only thing is he said the battery failed the hydrometer test. IE new battery soon.

Possibly take it to a reputable car electrics place to confirm? Cost me £50 to fix!