I have an '01 Fabia 1.4 OHV,50,000Mls.Over the last year the engine has been lumpy at idle and has occasionally stalled.Sweet engine otherwise.Have also noticed that sometimes the coolant temp. gauge does not register at all.If the ignition is switched off and on again the gauge usually then works as normal.The last few days the engine has been very rough at idle and has cut out several times.I have a fault code reader and these are the 3 DTC's logged-17978-contr. module locked. 16825-evaporative emission control system.Incorrect purge flow. 16500-Coolant temp. circuit range/performance problem. I would guess the temp. gauge sender unit and related wiring needs checking but I haven't had a chance to work on it yet so in the meantime any advice appreciated! Thanks.

Replace the temperature sensor and clean the throttle body. You may want to remove the old sensor and check to see that the thermostat hasn't broken up. A new sensor is around £25 to £30 and a complete thermostat with a sensor already fitted is around £40.

I did a guide for the sensor only, here:

http://briskoda.net/fabia-technical-guides/fabia-coolant-temp-sensor-how/66180/

Based on recent experience, I'd look in the hole where the sensor goes as fordfan suggests, before I ordered the part, because if the thermostat's intact (i.e. you can't see the spring through the hole), then I'd just do the sensor as it's a ten minute job because you don't have to drain the coolant.

Then, if/when the thermostat housing goes, you can get the uprated part which uses a circlip rather than plastic lugs to hold the thermostat it, from somewhere like Jorily.

If the 'stat housing's broken and you can see the spring through the hole, however, I'd get the sensor / thermostat housing pack and do the whole thing...

:thumbup:Lads, many thanks to both of you.Pulled the gauge sender this evening and sure enough the thermostat is gone also so I will do the whole unit ASAP.......at a slight tangent VAG are rubbish in this area which is after all critical re: engine reliability.During the summer the '98 1.4 Polo I drive suddenly overheated-no circulation through the 'stat.On examination and after some head scratching I noticed the seat for the 'stat pin which is moulded into the elbow had fractured off.The 'stat itself was perfect it just couldn't lift any more....!!At best this leaves you stranded-at worst I suppose a warped cylinder head.Doesn't say much for VAG though. Thanks again.