Hello all

I've just got myself a nice little R reg Felicia GLXI with the 1.6 MPI engine. The car's in good shape with pretty low mileage (~60k) but there is one problem that has made itself apparent.

The temperature gauge does not move. Doesn't even shift from it's low stop. I drive 40+ miles to work at motorway speeds almost the whole way and it doesn't even budge.

However the car doesn't seem to exhibit any of the other symptoms discussed by people with failed thermostats (yes, I searched around before posting!). The heater works fine and blows hot air right into the cabin without a problem. The engine doesn't seem to overheat and the fuel economy doesn't seem terrible (early days but it seems to be returning low 30s mpg).

Is it likely to be a broken gauge or faulty wire? Has anyone else experienced the same thing? Any suggestions on what to check?

Thanks for your time.

Xy.

I believe the way to test the temp gauge itself/the wiring to it is to remove the connector from the temp sender that goes to the dash and earth this to the engine, this should make the temp gauge go up. If it doesn't the problem is either the gauge itself or the wire. Next stage would be to test continuity with the appropriate wire to the dash connector with the wire in the engine bay. If there is continuity chances are it is the gauge that is dud.

It is your thermostat, I got the same problem on my Seat Inca. The heater was working fine, but no heat indicated. I replaced the thermostat and I got heat indicated and the heater was working almost the same.

It is your thermostat, I got the same problem on my Seat Inca. The heater was working fine, but no heat indicated. I replaced the thermostat and I got heat indicated and the heater was working almost the same.

If the gauge never moves at all I doubt if it's that simple. Even if motorway speed keeps the temperature down it should still move when idling (queues, red lights). More likely a broken sensor, a faulty connection, or (maybe the less likeliest) a broken gauge.

I agree that it sounds like the sensor is broken. I did a guide for replacing the one on a 1.4 MPi Fabia (pretty similar to the 1.3 in the Felly), here. I don't know how similar it is to the 1.6 you have, however. Advice from others on here is that you may want to consider replacing the thermostat housing and sensor in one go as both parts can fail. You can get the bits as a pack for not much less than the sensor on its own, I gather. To replace the thermostat housing (and sensor), you will need to either clamp the hoses either side of the old one, or drain the coolant system entirely (although depending where the sensor is on the 1.6 engine, you may need to do this anyway!)

Hope this helps...

I think this is electrical, not the thermostat. To be certain, drive about 5 miles from cold, then pop the bonnet and feel the radiator top hose (carefully). If it's hot, the problem is definitely the sender, gauge or wiring.

I have exactly the same problem on my "new" felly - gauge does not move. I'd kind of assumed temp sensor to be honest. Might change thermostat as well to be certain though...

I got my stat and sensor from ebay, cost under £30 for them both, delivered. Was from the seller who owns Jorily Skoda shop (I think).

Dont think my sensor needs replacing now, going to tackle the thermostat in the next few weeks. Looks mighty easy and I hope it is!

As the sensor sits inside the 'stat housing, it makes sense to replace both at the same time IMHO. They're both liable to fail over time, so you'll be able to head off with a nice warm glow in the knowledge you've killed two birds with one stone!

The sensor and thermostat, complete with the housing and all the gaskets, cost about 40 pounds.

I changed it on mine.

Thank you all for the replies, they've been most helpful.

Having taken a good look under the bonnet today while changing the plugs and oil I've noticed that the previous owner appears to have buggered about with the temperature circuit.

Something has been done to rig the radiator fan to run all the time and the sensor appears to have been bypassed. Which kind of suggests to me that the sensor has gone and rather than fix it the previous owner just bypassed it :(

Couple more questions; Does anyone have, or know where I can get, circuit diagrams for the car so I can try and work out exactly what has been done?

Secondly where would you go to get a replacement sensor and housing? It is something that only a Skoda main dealer can get?

Many thanks.

Couple more questions; Does anyone have, or know where I can get, circuit diagrams for the car so I can try and work out exactly what has been done?

Should be in the Felicia Haynes manual. May be a little difficult to figure out what's going on in the diagrams at first, it was for me, particularly as there is no colour.

For spare parts this might be something:

eBay.co.uk Shop - Jorily Skoda: Felicia: Skoda Felicia headight Switch-BRAND NEW, Skoda Felicia 1.3 Mpi Thermostat-BRAND NEW

I know that a few Felicia/Favorit owners here get parts there and have been told that there's a reliable guy behind it.