After owning my Felicia for a few weeks now, a problem has started to develop.. The engine RPM goes very high (cant tell what its going at though as no tachometer..), it lasts for about 30 seconds then returns to normal, it has happened three times so far, always with 1 min after a hot start up. Plus every now and again the idle will hunt.

At first I thought i had a stuck throttle cable, but after pulling it all apart, it seems to be ok, plus its too much of a coincidence this only happens when i hot start the car and within the first minute..

After reading a few posts here about the throttle getting carbonated, im going to take it apart again and give it a good dig out.. the post also mentions resetting the ECU, but as far as ive seen i dont have an OBD port.. the cars an R reg.. Any ideas on how i reset the ecu without one?

Any pointers on what else to look for will be greatly appreciated.. Cheers.

Edited 15 November, 201213 yr by fakedollar

That could be the coolant temperature sensor, but doing an ECU reset can't do any harm.

Make sure you have the stereo code, then disconnect the battery and leave it disconnected for an hour or so.

Ive just taken the throttle body apart and cleaned it out, the cars now sitting with its battery disconnected.. I think my coolant sensor is kaput, it only registers when it can be arsed.. seen a reading on the gauge twice in 3 weeks.. Could that really make the engine rev really high though?

Ah, right, you need a new coolant sensor then. Buy a genuine one.

I've seen 4_000rpm on a hot engine with a bad temp sensor (not a Skoda, but it proves the point that a bad temp reading can give huge revs when the ECU does cold enrichment).

Ok, thats good news then, any ideas where I could get one from? Ive had a search online but there appears to be several parts available.. Do i need to replace the whole thermostat housing or can the sensor be bought seperately..

Would this be the correct part?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-SEAT-Water-Coolant-Temp-Temperature-Sender-Sensor-6U0919501B-357919501A-4-Pin-/330815659303?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AFelicia&hash=item4d06265d27

Edited 16 November, 201213 yr by fakedollar

yes thats the one you need as it controls temp gauage and ecu

^ This is an interesting read. Although no rpm problems in the last few weeks my Felly has only just been lifting up on the temp gauge. Once sat idling or crawling in traffic it soon reaches the normal point on the gauge & extends beyond to trip in the fan. I'm wondering if it's a sensor prob or possibly thermostat related?

After reading a fair bit and talking to an ex felicia owner, it seems the temp sensor is a common point of failure, that can result in an array of different symptoms.. Thankfully its easy enough to replace and cheap..

^ This is an interesting read. Although no rpm problems in the last few weeks my Felly has only just been lifting up on the temp gauge. Once sat idling or crawling in traffic it soon reaches the normal point on the gauge & extends beyond to trip in the fan. I'm wondering if it's a sensor prob or possibly thermostat related?

That suggests that the thermostat has failed part open. This would be confimed if you're also getting a slow warm-up and a weak heater.

That suggests that the thermostat has failed part open. This would be confimed if you're also getting a slow warm-up and a weak heater.

Cheers Ken, that's what I half suspect. As it's easy/cheap to do I'm going to pop a new temp sensor on this week & see if there's any difference? Second on the list will be thermostat.

Cheers Ken, that's what I half suspect. As it's easy/cheap to do I'm going to pop a new temp sensor on this week & see if there's any difference? Second on the list will be thermostat.

After checking the compatibility I bought the sensor as indicated within Fakedollars post. The new one is push fit with a yellow plastic ring attached. However despite various attempts couldn't remove the in situ sensor. It turns quite freely but won't either screw or pull off? As it's not clipped I'm assuming it's a screwed type but didn't want to give it too much grief just in case I buggered it up!

So calling all Felly owners for advice/confirmation on this one Cheers.

Hey Robk1, got some bad news for you.. That sensor I linked, doesn't fit the felicia, even though the sellers advised that it would. The metal contact area is too wide to fit into my housing..

However, for future reference, once the captive clip is removed from the sensor, it just pulls out, though be prepared for a bit of coolant to escape with it.

Anyone know where I can get the genuine part?

Hey Robk1, got some bad news for you.. That sensor I linked, doesn't fit the felicia, even though the sellers advised that it would. The metal contact area is too wide to fit into my housing..

However, for future reference, once the captive clip is removed from the sensor, it just pulls out, though be prepared for a bit of coolant to escape with it.

Anyone know where I can get the genuine part?

Hi ya fakedollar, thanks very much for coming back to me. A bit annoying that as I double checked the compatibility and it came up as ok against my engine type (1.6 AEE etc) in the Fun.

The connector unclips quite easily from the sensor unit but there's no clips holding the actual sensor in place, hence that's why I thought it may be a screw fix type? However although it turns quite freely, it shows no signs of wanting to come out?? I suppose once I can confirm push fit or screwed for definite, I can plan my next cunning approach

Rob

It's the rubber o ring that's sealing it in place, it has to be a tight fit as its all that keeping the coolant from leaking past the sensor. Mines a 1.3 Mpi and its definatelty push fit.

They confirmed for me it would fit as well.. Might just get a whole new thermostat housing with sensor installed as I can't seem to find the appropriate sensor anywhere..

Hi, I think that sounds correct for the 1.3 mpi, but I really need to get confirmation for the 1.6 mpi hence throwing it open on here for all the experienced Felly owners Tbh apart from operating slightly on the cold side it's running fine so don't know if I'm going to bother. It is possible then that the sensor I've bought may be ok in relation to the 1.6 mpi, but who knows & oh joy!

Perhaps my attention is better turned to the thermostat

I've had a look for the housings and they seem more readily available, plus they seem to be able to take the new sensor..

Just incase anyone has a similar issue, this turned out to be a broken thermostat, I started to suspect it after the heaters started to get colder.. After a new one, the cars heating up nicely now, plus im getting a reading on the temp gauge.

Only issue ive had was when i hot started it for the first time after the new thermostat, the engine died after about 5 seconds of idle, then after starting again, the rpm was all over the place, though I think its a fuelling issue and an ECU reset should square it away..