Hi,

I have just bought my first Skoda - a year 2000 W-reg Felicia 1.3 Classic.

It says 1.3 MPI on top of the engine.

I have only had it one day.

 

So far, the temperature guage hasn't moved.

I have been on 30 mile journeys and it never rises above the needle-stop that the needle rests on when switched off.

 

I am tempted to buy a temperature sensor, but my parts supplier says there are two to choose from. One with a green strip and one with a yellow strip.

Which one is right?

I've looked at mine and its just all black (or maybe just dirty).

 

Is there some way to test the guage is working before I spend 20 pounds on a sensor?

There are 4 wires going into the sensor.

Which two do I short out to test the guage?

 

Thanks

Mike

Glastonbury, UK

27th August 2014

 

If the temperature gauge isn't moving its more likely to be the thermostat, i would replace that before the temperature sensor.

Leave the car running at a stand still for a while see if the gauge starts to rise.

Just to clear up on the temperature sensor it should have the yellow band i believe and I'm sure the part number is 6U0919501B.

Oh and if you're going to buy either of these parts i advise going for genuine parts as the pattern ones can be naff.

Edited 27 August, 201411 yr by nu99et18

Thanks for your help. :clap:

I have now had a chance to look under the bonnet and have a bit of a wipe around the temperature sensor with a bit of kitchen paper.

Actually I don't think its green OR yellow. I think the one fitted on the car seems to be blue.

There seem to be blue ones on Ebay and yellow ones.

 

The car is actually running fine so I'm not going to bother buying anything.

But, for the record, what do the colours mean? Are they all interchangeable?

They all seem to have the same shaped electrical plug connection with side lugs in the right places...

 

Found a lovely leather Skoda keyring and a used but nearly new Haynes manual on Ebay. Will have a good read when it arrives.

I suspect it will be the usual broken internally thermostat housing problem. I'd advise sorting that out, if only because you will notice a significant improvement with fuel economy when done. You'll save more than you spend.

Felicia 1.3 MPi has a blue color temp. sender.

different colors = different temperature/resistance characteristic.

the temp. sensor has inside

a temp. gauge not moving means usually a bad wiring, a bad sensor or a bad gauge (in order of probability)

my advice is as always first gather evidence then buy parts.

I don't agree it's a faulty thermostat.

if stuck open, the engine heats slower, yes.

but eventually the temp. reaches 90C rather quickly, especially during summer.

Thanks.

I have just bought a new thermostat housing and thermostat off Ebay for ten pounds

It will be interesting to see if you are right and I get better fuel economy.

Based on the first fill-up of two gallons I have got 51 MPG on my daily commute.

Any advance on 51 would be a bonus.

My last car was a 20 year old Mercedes that drank petrol so quick you could almost see the gauge move.

I would check themo stat common fault on 1.3 as bad design and as said it does affect fuel economy if faulty... and it should be a yellow temp sensor as its done buy resistance to temp gauge. ...

My thermostat/thermostat housing arrived from Ebay today. It was easy to fit, took me five minutes. What a difference it makes, its dead smooth to drive now. Thanks for all the help. Thanks to all of you that suggested I try a new thermostat. Yes it WAS broken, as you knew it would be!. 

 

Oddly enough though it hasn't solved my temp gauge problem, it still doesn't move.

By process of elimination, my next move is to buy a new temperature sensor.

Most of you seem to think I should get the yellow band one so I will.

Another four pounds on Ebay!

I've done it, people! OMG I've done it!!

The new temp sensor arrived today (yellow band).

Fitted it, started the engine, and my temp gauge now works!

 

Everything is done now.

The thermostat housing is replaced 'cos the old one was broken so thermostat couldn't activate.

The temp sensor is replaced and the gauge is working.

 

Only one thing left actually. There is no light anywhere when I use the rear screen demister.

I expect I've got a light bulb failure in the dashboard.

Had a look at the Haynes manual and it says you've basically got to take the car apart just to change a light bulb!

It says you have to take the steering wheel off and start dismantling the fascia. Remove the airbag etc.

I might not bother. The last owner was obviously of a similar mind. I'll just have to live with it.

 

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice on the temperature thing.

This is a brilliant forum. Keep up the good work.

Essential for Skoda newbies like me who don't know anything about them.