Technical 2003 1.6 16V will not rev up

[(CZ)enda]

I took a look at Stilo MW 1.6 16V today.
-When started from cold, the display says "Engine temperature too high" or similar. The message disappeared after some time.
- Airbag lamp stays on (current owner insists it is incorrect connection under driver´s seat, supposedly disappears after some wiggling with the wires, then, after some time, randomly lights on.)
- The most important failure, however, is that the engine will not rev up more than circa 3800 rpm when warm and ECU light stays on. Supposedly, it is a bad connection or faulty camshaft sensor. I wonder if this behavior is consistent with camshaft sensor failure?

I probably cannot be bothered with the car any more (advertised as "low mileage, minor cosmetic scratches only"), but, being a curious person, I would appreciate any opinion.

Thanks.

 

[Artermis]

Well you definitely need to stay well away from that car!

Any of those faults appearing on their own I wouldn't to overly suspicious of but the fact that you've got several electrical system showing erratic and abnormal behavior makes me fearful of something more sinister happening.

The something more sinister could be down to something such as the alternator or battery going bad. Equally it could be a sign of damage to the wiring loom, fuse boards or even issues with the engine ECU - which the 1.6 is particularly known for.

My guess with the engine temperature fault, management lights on and poor performance issues is that the engine ECU is damaged.

The fact that such faults may have potentially been left to accumulate could also be suggestive of poor ownership, not taking care of their vehicle and remedying faults as they occur. This makes me question what else they've let slip, like servicing and maintenance!

Good luck on your hunt for a Stilo, although this clearly isn't a good car for you.

My advice, for what it's worth; the Stilos are a good, strong and reliable car and actually very well built with no major known faults. There were plenty of them built and sold and with not being the most sort after model means the second hand market is ripe with very good cheap cars. The weakest of the line up has to be the 1.6 (in my opinion) simply because of the ECU issues they're known to suffer. So possibly consider either the 1.4 or the 1.8 instead if you can find any. I'd also recommend the 1.9 JTD (diesel) are they're a particularly bulletproof engine.

 

[(CZ)enda]

Thanks for your reply.
I tried to find a decent 1.6 because I do not want a diesel and do not need petrol 2.0. 1.8 is quite rare bird and, AFAIK, suffers the "variator disease". Unfortunately, 1.6 Stilos seem to suffer the same or similar ECU problems wherever I look. Guess I will go for Mk2 Multipla instead (Mk1s look much cooler, but they are often rotten useless).