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Engine Warning - Suspect Lambda sensor?

1K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  EdmundIJones 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi,

I bought my first alfa at the weekend and so far I’ve been delighted with it, it’s a 2001 (y plate) 156 1.8TS Sportwagon in black with black interior. I’ve been very impressed with the responsiveness of the chassis and the general drive after so many years with Audi’s, VW’s, BMW’s and Mercs. This is a real change and I’m glad I took the plunge and it will make the daily commute that bit more fun.

Anyway, I was on my way down the A303 this morning and I was giving it a few revs to see how she responded and she did, the engine warning light came on but there was no loss of power or any other noticeable faults other than the light. I pulled over, turned off and on again and still lit. There is no problem starting her up or her idling, she seems spot on.

My hunch is that it’s the lambda sensor, as I was give her some higher revs and generally trying her out. Also, it could be nothing but I’m sure on my drive yesterday she used a lot of petrol quite quickly, that could be a symptom but not sure.

Other problems are a potential faulty thermostat as she takes an eternity to reach 50 degrees on the temp display if at all and then suddenly she will go up and sit around 80 then go down again with a drive... sound about right?

I’ve ordered a fault code reader so I can at least see what the codes are but that will take a few days to arrive so wondered if anyone could confirm my lambda sensor thought as I believe it’s a common issue?

Probably not helpfull but the variator and cam were changed 13K miles ago.

All the best
Ed
 
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#2 ·
To add to this I got in the car this evening to find the engine light had gone out. I drove it home on the same route but a little more conservetivly and no lights. It sees to be fine now.... do you think in hindsight it could have been a warning from a faulty thermostat. On the 60 mile drive home the temperature guage didn't go above 50...and I know it can as I saw it go up the other day.
 
#4 ·
In in Wiltshire just down from devizes, I've already ordered a code reader so I'm happy to help others in my neck of the woods also. The light has gone out on it's own accord so I'm not really worried.

I beleive having a few faults is all part of alfa ownership. So far I think it's a great car even with a few issues to work on.
 
#5 ·
This is odd, I took the car on the same trip this morning, not doing anything foolish, just nice and steady and around the same point in the jourey (about 20 miles) the warning light came on again.

After a 30 mile trip I poped the bonnet and had a feel around as the engine temp guage was still not moving, the engine feels cool, the top 2" radiator pipe is very lighly warm to the touch but nothing in the engine bay is really hot.

Thoughts.
 
#6 ·
Hi Edmund welcome to the joys of owning on Alfa they are gorgeous and drive like nothing else on the planet you fall in love straight away but mine has never turned a wheel without something wrong with it or a warning light winking for no reason you just have to look past that and enjoy:cheese:
 
#7 ·
I had faulty thermostat but never had the warning light come on. My lambdas were shot then i had the light on. I risked some cheap NEW sensor selling on ebay for about £19 as the oem were so much more. They have been working great for about 6 months so far so I would recomend them. You have to cut the wires for the plug but was really easy to do and im no mechanic. Just as a warning when my cam belt went the light came on but then obviously the car wouldnt run so im sure its not that
 
#8 ·
The cam belt was changed 15K miles ago and the car drives very well and no difference when the light is on or off.... so I'm suspecting either a dodgy sensor or something related to temperatures as I'm almost certain the thermostat is shot. I'll hopefully get my code reader tonight so will plug it in then and find our what's going on.
 
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