# Skoda fabia sometimes doesn't start **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [October 25, 2023, 10:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563 "2023-10-25T22:57:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![luckyjay431\_187447](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a3d4f5/32.png) [@luckyjay431\_187447](https://community.cartalk.com/u/luckyjay431_187447)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 10:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/1 "2023-10-25T22:57:42Z")
I have a 2005 skoda fabia and sometimes it doesn’t start but other times it does. Has a new battery and alternator. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 11:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/2 "2023-10-25T23:00:49Z")
First step, is this a “fails to crank”? … you don’t hear the normal rrr rrrr rrr sound with key in “start”? Or does it crank robustly but not catch and run? ---
**Author:** ![luckyjay431\_187447](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a3d4f5/32.png) [@luckyjay431\_187447](https://community.cartalk.com/u/luckyjay431_187447)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/3 "2023-10-25T23:05:20Z")
It does crank i hear the rrrr rrr rrr just doesn’t start. This only happens sometimes, most of the time it starts and when it does it drives fine. Normally if it doesn’t start first time if i wait and try again it starts. Yesterday tho it wouldnt start after multiple tries so i had to jump start it. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/4 "2023-10-25T23:08:24Z")
Second step, determine if the “cranks ok, but fails to start” is caused by no fuel, or no spark. Usually is one or the other. No experience w/Skodas, enjoy to read about Skoda classics in UK publications, but on most cars the most simple no-fuel test is to spray some starter fluid into the air intake. Does it start and run briefly then? ---
**Author:** ![luckyjay431\_187447](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a3d4f5/32.png) [@luckyjay431\_187447](https://community.cartalk.com/u/luckyjay431_187447)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/5 "2023-10-25T23:11:06Z")
It does start and run briefly sometimes but stops again. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/6 "2023-10-25T23:18:55Z")
The next time the engine doesn’t start, turn the ignition switch off. Now turn the ignition switch on, but don’t start the engine, and after two seconds turn the ignition switch off. Repeat this a half dozen times and then try starting the engine. If the engine starts right up, there’s a fuel pump problem. Tester ---
**Author:** ![luckyjay431\_187447](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a3d4f5/32.png) [@luckyjay431\_187447](https://community.cartalk.com/u/luckyjay431_187447)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2023, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/7 "2023-10-25T23:21:40Z")
Thanks i will give that a go ---
**Author:** ![luckyjay431\_187447](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a3d4f5/32.png) [@luckyjay431\_187447](https://community.cartalk.com/u/luckyjay431_187447)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/8 "2023-10-26T19:01:01Z")
So i had the RAC out today and just my luck the car started first try. He said because its started its hard to say what the problem is. He said it could be the starter motor. Its going to cost me £279 to replace but if it turns out that wasnt the issue then the problem will still be there. Do you think its worth taking the risk and spending £279 on a new starter motor? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2023, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/skoda-fabia-sometimes-doesnt-start/193563/9 "2023-10-26T19:15:11Z")
> [@luckyjay431\_187447](#): > > It does crank i hear the rrrr rrr rrr just doesn’t start. There’s nothing wrong with the starter. Tester