What is wrong with this???

[Jon Morris]

Hi all, first post here after watching the site for a while! I have a problem that has just started with my Brava 1.2sx(2000). The fuel efficiency has dropped, yesterday the temperature guage started to rise, but checked the rad and the water was fine, and today, the airbag light blinked a bit, but only for about 30 seconds. Any ideas???

 

[Sven]

Does it have problems starting up?
Sounds like a bad connection, or the battery is old and going.

The temp gauge is normal, just slap the dash over it - see the repair guide of the site.

Fuel efficiency can be due to old oil, old spark plugs ..... when was it last serviced ?

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[steve]

when you say "dropped" by how much do you mean.

A few mpg or major mpg?

 

[Insomnia]

Check the dryness of the top of your airbag ecu (just underneath the dash on the floor in the middle). If its wet or damp your heater matrix is leaking.

Just thinking my airbag ecu flickered til it finally gave up by being drowned in fluid from the matrix.

Dec '97 1.8GT / 135,000 miles
Current Status: Running Well

 

[Jon Morris]

I have just changed the heater matrix(around three weeks ago)it is not leaking but I guess there may be some residual water?, and the fuel efficiency has dropped by around 50 miles per full tank. Was getting around 410 to a tank, now around 350/360.

 

[Richard]

If your heater was fixed you will be using it more drawing more heat from the engine via heater motor etc .
Also the weather is a little colder now so i assume when your heater was not working correctly less heat was been pulled from the engine via heater motor so more mpg.
Conclusion Heater fixed and being used 2mpg less
and colder conditions 2 mpg less so your possibly getting 3-4 mpg less now long winded i know.