Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, I hope I've posted in the correct place.

I've got a Fabia 1.4 8v and a couple of weeks ago I started having problems with the temperature gauge, which from reading many posts about it on this forum, seems to be a common fault. Sometimes the needle not registering anything at all, other times moves up to halfway but then falls back again.

So after searching on here I saw ap0gee vbmenu_register("postmenu_757730", true); extremeely helpful/clear guide on how to change the Temp sender

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/maintenance-performance/fabia-coolant-temp-sensor-how/66180/

I got the part 06A919501 temperature sender and this morning set out about fitting it. All went in with no problems, thanks to the top notch guide.

Took the car out for a test drive, the temp gauge did nothing for a ages, after about 15 mins of driving showed some life almost the 1st notch but then fell back,stopped for petrol and it was at halfway but then fell back again. Stopped off for 5 mins then set off, the gauge was at half way for a while but then fell back down gain and then went to halfway. The gauge still doesn't seem quite right.

Does the computer need resetting after putting in a new part or should it work ok anyway? Unfortunately I don't have a Vag-Com. Or is it something else wrong with car, thermostat maybe? Is it worth taking it to the dealers for them to look at it.

It sounds more like the thermostat is jammed open to me. Change that and all should be well.

Thankyou for your reply vrsfab.

Is the thermostat an easy DIY job or is it one for the dealers?

how sudden is the rise & fall of the gauge? A sudden change indicates a gauge fault whereas a slow change would indicate a problem with the thermostat. To me it sounds like the mechanism that causes the gauge to move inside the clocks is faulty.

hello,

The engine takes an absolute age to warm up and its a slow change from the display gauge (sometimes rising, then dropping, or even staying in middle position). It has been noisier to drive and grough, normally smooth/refined.

Last couple of days I've had problems when starting as the engine was juddering with revs fluctuating to almost zero and then coming back 950ish rpm idle, only way to stop this happening was to turn it over again. So problems seem to have got worse from noticing the gauge problem a couple of weeks ago.

Its at the Skoda garage today, they've had a look and apparentley the thermostat housing has fallen to bits (covered quite often on here for older Fabia's with the 1.4 MPI) and the water pump is knackered, so its not going to be the cheapest repair.

I also had a knocking noise from the front end, which I had been putting off, but this is being looked at as well. I've already had the ARB replaced in Feb '06 so thats newish and all was well for a while, then more knocking/clonking gggrrrrhhh. They've said drop-links need replacing so there being done, so hope this cures it.

Its been a catalogue of problems, Power steering sensor failed a year ago, so occasionly power steering would cut out, handbrake rachet wouldn't hold so that had to be replaced, Air conditioning stopped working-faulty evap sensor. So I'm wondering what next...?

Overall I still think the Fabia is a nice car though.

If anyones interested, I'll keep you posted.

How's your coolant level? If it's low, the coolant may not be reaching the temp sender all the time, which would account for varying readings.

If you're low, top it up (ideally with G12+ antifreeze this time of year) and then take the car for an energetic run. It takes >2500 RPM to pump the water round the circuit forcefully enough to bleed the air out of the system.

Thermostat stuck open would cause the car to only heat up in traffic or when stationary. Get moving and have air blowing over the rad and it should drop.

It'll also take an age to warm up, if at all as you tend to drive off before it's warmed up from idle after starting.