My Fabia I (2000, 1.4MPi, 8v) has developed a fault over the last couple of days. Engine management light is now permenantly on - I understand this registers a fault in the system. When the car is first started, the revs hit 800 as usual, and then tail off and the car stalls. Only with sustained pressure on the accelerator can I keep the revs up - and then move away.

Once the car is going, there isn't a problem - I do not stall at traffic lights etc.

Does anyone have a ROUGH idea what it might be before I take it to the garage. And if I take it in for a VAGCOM reading, what might I expect to pay.

P.S. The car was MOT'ed last week, and received replacement brake pads. Im sure this is just coincidence?!

Possibly the Idle Control Valve. I had a similar issue on a Focus and it got progressively worse until it was pretty much undriveable (approach to roundabouts where you were trying to brake, change gear and keep the revs up were interesting). You could try taking it out and cleaning it with carb cleaner (assuming its in an easy to get to location, but you're probably best to get a new one. Assuming that is the issue.

I have just remembered that I have also experienced some temperature gauge failures in the last few weeks - it works intermittantly.

Would it be safe to assume that this is a temperature sensor issue - and that the stalling fault is symptomatic of that?!

I have just remembered that I have also experienced some temperature gauge failures in the last few weeks - it works intermittantly.

Would it be safe to assume that this is a temperature sensor issue - and that the stalling fault is symptomatic of that?!

Yes.

Possibly the Idle Control Valve. I had a similar issue on a Focus and it got progressively worse until it was pretty much undriveable (approach to roundabouts where you were trying to brake, change gear and keep the revs up were interesting). You could try taking it out and cleaning it with carb cleaner (assuming its in an easy to get to location, but you're probably best to get a new one. Assuming that is the issue.

The Fabia doesnt have an idle control valve but its not a bad guess by any means. The idle air is controlled by the throttle body.

But i'm betting its over fueling due to a faulty temp sensor and can't handle that much fuel on initial start up.

I had a similar problem: Switch on the engine, the engine management light stays on, engine stalls. This intermitent and I could go for a couple of day without any problem.

I contacted my dealer (as the car was under warranty) and they said that the chip inside the key might have moved (key dropped on the floor possibly). Got a new key under warranty, had to put the car at the garage for a couple of hours to reprogram keys + car but no probelm since.

If you have any doubt use the spare key and see if you still have the same problem.

Hope this helps.

The Fabia doesnt have an idle control valve but its not a bad guess by any means. The idle air is controlled by the throttle body.

But i'm betting its over fueling due to a faulty temp sensor and can't handle that much fuel on initial start up.

So do you think this is the coolant temp senor? I have exactly the same problem, plus i get a nice smell of petrol out the back once I do manage to start it, also indicating to much fuel on initial start up. Just wanted to make sure what sensor before I go ahead and buy one.

Thanks

Jason

Edited 1 April, 200917 yr by its_neos_matrix
Adding a bit more content

Yes the coolant temp sensor.