So, I've searched and read threads like this:

http://briskoda.net/favorit-felicia-fun-forman/temperature-gauge-problem/103865/

because my temp gauge doesn't move at all. I have a feeling that it has never moved, not in the 16 months I've had it. I just assumed that it stayed at the bottom because all was tickety-boo. Yes, I'm that stoopid.

Before I take her back into the garage (where I've just spent £300!) could it be something really, really simple? I checked the fuses. One had gone but it was for the clock (found this out when I replaced it).

I've just had a new battery fitted. And an new alternator (the old one went crazy and buggered the battery). Hence handing £300 over the other day... :(

Likely culprits include: the thermostat (if the hoses get hot this cause can be excluded - but may still benefit from a new thermostat), the temperature sensor, or the wiring between the temperature sensor and the instrument panel.

Does the heater work correctly? If not, then it's probably the thermostat. If it does, then it's probably the gauge sender.

We bough a new gauge sender off eBay for £7, still not fitted it.

Temp gauge plays up, but fan comes on okay.

The heater's fine. I guess I need to find a gauge sender. Could I (or someone else!) fit this fairly easily? After the £300 alternator/battery fiasco I'm a little short on cash so if I can aviod another trip to the garage that would be great (unless a garage could fit it cheaply that is)

From my findings it looks easy.

Its at the bottom of the radiator on a screw thread.

Depressurize the coolant system, Unplug the connector, unscrew the temp sender and get the new on in ASAP to avoid lots of coolant loss.

Top up with coolant.

Felicia's are famous for having thermostat problems, with this problem the gauge never rises in normal use - however you can check the thermostat by driving the car for about 10 miles then pull up somewhere and leave the car running. after 10 mins or less does the gauge start to rise ??? if it does it's the thermostat - it's stuck open and the engine is cooling too much due to the airflow through the radiator when moving.

If the car sits still and then warms up this is because there is no (or a very small) airflow through the radiator and the cooling effect isn't happening.

With a failed thermostat the car/engine/heater etc.... will still get warm - around 60 deg C - so people saying 'do the hoses get hot' are off the mark on that one. normal opperating temp once warm with a good thermostat will be 80 - 90 deg C (mid position on felicia gauge).

see ebay (Jorily skoda parts) for a new reasonably priced thermostat.

hope this helps !!!!!