A faulty lambda sensor will certainly affect the mixture that the ECU tries to deliver to the engine (it uses the lambda sensor to check the exhaust gases mix prior to the cat and then adjust the air/fuel mixture to compensate). This could well account for erratic running and sooty plugs. I would be tempted to firstly check the wiring for signs of damage - could cause the short that the scan picked up and then see if you can source a secondhand sensor to see it this sorts the problem.

Been checking the web and it looks like the Lambda. As you said I'm gonna check the wiring first. I've seen brand new Bosch ones for the 1.6 Felicia for £50 on eBay. That's not too sad.

Oxygen sensor = Lambda sensor usually.

Yep I been tempted to get one of the lambda sensors off ebay for the hell of it in the hope it might improve fuel efficiency slightly. Bosch are OE and an OE one would set you back at least £100.

Well I haven't managed to get a new Lambda sensor yet off eBay yet. Asked a few questions but now not sure if it will fit my car or not....

Anyway, I disconnected my Lambda tonight and started the car. Didn't make a blind bit of difference. Still started, chugged away and then setlled down to 1100rpm. WTF??? I thought it would have run like a dog....?

I even disconnected the temperature sender by #1 cylinder above the inlet manifold and that made no difference either. :confused:

Well I bit the bullet this week and have purchased a Lambda sensor. Didn't go for the £50 one off eBay in the end. Got it from my local spares shop for £76. At the end of the day I know it's a bit dearer, but it's easier to take back if there's any problems and it's a direct fit with the Skoda plug on.

Hopefully fitting it this weekend so will keep you posted....

Fitted the new Lambda sensor yesterday.......

........didn't make a blind bit of difference!!!! DOH!!!!

Think I might go for the throttle body next which is what I suspected first.

Fitted the new Lambda sensor yesterday.......

........didn't make a blind bit of difference!!!! DOH!!!! :rotz:

Think I might go for the throttle body next which is what I suspected first :confused:

Unless you've loads of money watch the pennies. My SLXi was great for the first couple of years I owned it but over the last two it has been a real pain. I've decided to run it with as little expenditure as possible without compromising safety. The latest irritation is the development suddenly of a terrible whine when using fifth. Apparently (from my reading on the forum) this is likely to be caused by the "5th gear nuts" loosening up. I can't do these jobs myself and will manage without fifth. It's also leaking water after a windscreen replacement. Autoglass have had three goes at fixing it. Really, I wish I'd paid a little extra for a more basic Fabia.

Mmmmm.... I don't know. Maybe I'll see how the funds go.

Really, I wish I'd paid a little extra for a more basic Fabia.

I've had more water getting into the Fabia than I ever had with either of my Felicias, I have a low coolant light with a mind of its own, occasionally no rear screen washer and had to have the reverse light switch replaced in the first month along with an expansion tank to try to fix the first problem in this list. I wish I'd saved my pennies and gone for another Felicia:)

Niggling problems but not on the scale and expense of those being regularly presented on the (VW) Felicias.

Bazz, if you can find a competent local garage (not a Skoda dealer) you're probably talking in terms of an hour or so's labour costs to have the 5th gear nuts tightened at a garage. IMO that pays for itself in refinement and fuel saved in 4 or 5 hours at motorway speeds.