I am currently in the process of looking for a replacement for my mum's existing car and one of the options is a Fabia.

 

I test drove a 1.4TSi today and noticed that when I did my second firm brake from around 50mph (to test ABS and the car pulling up squarely) that the coolant gauge needle rose rapidly from the central 90 degrees position to a point around 1 o'clock or maybe even 2 o'clock on the gauge, accompanied by a flashing light in the gauge.

 

After about 20 seconds the needle dropped back to 90 degrees and the flashing ceased. Temperature remained normal for the remaining two or three miles of the test-drive.

 

Has anyone any idea what might have caused this or whether it indicates serious problems?

wiring / sensor problem

 

dealer or private sale

Dealer

I understand there is some history of the wiring looms chafing on the Fab II - perhaps this is an early indication of that problem?

whats age and milage of the car as the temp sensors do fail

 

fairly common fault, but if you are interested get them to sort it before you buy

2010 (June from recollection) and 21K miles. Other than that it looked to be pretty good in all respects. 

 

Should the sensor problem show up on a diagnostics check or is there any additional information you can help with as to what component(s) might need looking at or replacing?

 

Thanks for your input so far - appreciated.

Is it a vRS you are talking about?

 

The Temp Gauge has a Red Symbol in it, when you turn the ignition on the Dash does a light check.

The Red Symbol for coolant level warning shows and goes out then.

 

Did you open the bonnet and check the coolant level was above minimum after stopping?

It could be low level, poor connection of a wire or some other thing needing checking.

 

Did you look at Oil Temperature on Maxi Dot as you were testing it.

Did you dip the Oil Cold before the road test and Hot Check after the road test.

 

The light coming on needs checked out.

Has  the First & Second & 3rd annual Services been done and the Coolant between Min & Max and not over filled,

or Below Minimum.

 

george

The car is an Elegance 1.4TSi 85BHP.

 

The flashing light came on during the drive and was accompanied by a higher temperature reading as indicated by the gauge needle. 

 

I did not check the oil temperature.

 

Coolant level under the bonnet was normal or near normal (i.e not noticeably high or low)

 

The car has had three services to date at around 7, 14 and 20K miles.

Sorry i never spotted 85 bhp in the title.

Forget the oil thing.

 

Was the coolant between Min & Max then?

Someone that knows them can comment, sorry i know nothing about them.

Maybe wiring/corrosion.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/287051-not-so-simply-clever

 

What did the seller say?

 

george

The car is an Elegance 1.4TSi 85BHP.

 

The flashing light came on during the drive and was accompanied by a higher temperature reading as indicated by the gauge needle. 

 

I did not check the oil temperature.

 

Coolant level under the bonnet was normal or near normal (i.e not noticeably high or low)

 

The car has had three services to date at around 7, 14 and 20K miles.

Was there actually a 1.4tsi apart from the 180ps vrs?! Perhaps it's a non tsi normally aspirated 1.4 with that sort of power figure?

I *think* the coolant was between min and max but I am not certain.

 

Seller was the dealership salesperson and he said they would check it out. Obviously I would be looking for a more concrete solution than that if I decide to proceed.

Was there actually a 1.4tsi apart from the 180ps vrs?! Perhaps it's a non tsi normally aspirated 1.4 with that sort of power figure?

 

Sorry - that would be my mistake. It's actually a 1.2TSi. I am getting confused between Fiesta and Fabia engine capacities....