Newbie Q's

[MO!]

Hi.

I've had an R reg 1.4 SXE for a couple of months now. At least I *think* it's the SXE model... how do I tell?

I passed quite a while ago (I'm closer to 30 than I'd like to be!), but this is my first car.

I only paid £500 for the car, and expected to have to pay out for a few things, but to be fair, it seems to run pretty well..... so far.

To restate, this is my first car, and this is all new to me. I don't pretend to know much about engines and such.

Problems I've noticed so far....

*How do in find out my engine code?

*The passenger side electric window opens fine, but when I try to close it, it needs a "helping hand" for the final inch or so.

*The temp dial on the dash doesn't move. Doesn't appear to be connected up at all.

*When I start the car from cold it starts first time. However, when I try starting it soon after it's been running (like when I've popped into a shop, or stalled or such ), it sometimes takes a few attempts. It's not like it's trying to turn over and failing, it's like it's not even realising i'm attempting to start..... if that makes sense?

*The stereo seems to have a mind of its own. Sometimes reading cds, and other times spitting them back out at me.

I'm sure there shall be plenty more questions to follow

 

[Big Sam]

first of, welcome mate and great choise on a 1.4 SXE. your engine code is located in the boot on a peace of papaer under the fllor mat. it will be somthing like APQ BPQ etc not sure bout the window problem and as for the temp gauge, mine does exactly the same. i've been meaning to find out whats up with it for yonks...

 

[crezz]

no thermostate or dodgy one maybe

 

[Cupra Kid]

Temp guage is more than likely the thermostat, not too expensive or difficult.

Passenger side window will need a new regulator/motor part. get from a scrapper cheap or new at seat for £90.00

Engine code will more than likely be APQ at that age (mine was) but it will be on the sticker on the boot floor or in the service book.

Stalling could be the idle control valve if its dirty, lift off the airbox top and its the butterfly valve in the middle, clean it with WD40 and a rag. A good all round service probably wouldn't go a miss as they are every 10k.

SXE's usually come with front fogs and velour (ooohhhh) trim along with leccy mirrors. (post up some pics i could probably tell you)

CD player sounds bust to me....... is it a SEAT one or an aftermarket one?

Finally welcome to SEAT ownership!!!!! I'm sure once you've got the few little niggles dealt with you'll love it

 

[MO!]

Thanks for the welcomes.

Would "AEX" be what I'm looking for? It says 6K3 AEX 2.

Is that good or bad? lol!

The passenger side window isn't a major problem, but no doubt will be should the weather warm up. It's fine until the last inch or so then needs a little help (press palm and push it up) for that final inch.

Stalling is down to my s*@t driving really. That was just an example of when I've had to stop it then try to restart it.

Assuming the thermostat has just died, is this common? Or would it be the sign of something else. Perhaps the seller trying to hide something or override something in the engine?

Sorry if stupid questions, but I'm coming to this blind. I'm usually a quick learner though

 

[MO!]

SXE's usually come with front fogs and velour (ooohhhh) trim along with leccy mirrors. (post up some pics i could probably tell you)

CD player sounds bust to me....... is it a SEAT one or an aftermarket one?

Finally welcome to SEAT ownership!!!!! I'm sure once you've got the few little niggles dealt with you'll love it

The cd player looks nice and fancy. Touch screen and all that jazz "JVC KD-LHX501". The previous owner told me it was quite temperamental when I bought it.

There's no leccy mirrors or such, but I'm pretty sure I've seen SXE somewhere.

 

[Cupra Kid]

AEX is the code for it yeah you've got a 1.4 alright. APQ is one and AEX is the other. the difference is single and multipoint fuel injection i believe, but i can't remember which code is which! I *think* AEX is single point.

When you stall turn the ignition all the way off for a second or two and then restart, should help with the starting. A little prod on the gas never hurt either

Thermostat failure happens especially on the older cars, i owuldnt worry too much but its an idea to get it fixed as this could lead to the stalling. If the ECU doesn't know what temperature the engine is it won't know the right fuel mix to put in and won't be helping it keep going.

I've had a few JVC CD players and they've been tempermental things, maybe swap it for a pioneer, panasonic or sony as they seem to be the best makes from experience. Its relatively straight forward to swap them over.

Badging should be on the boot there were a fair few models, having rear head rests normally points to a higher spec.

Just realised i know too much about MK2's, that what comes of owning four!!!!!

 

[OllieL]

My SXE 1.4 has no electric mirrors or fogs. It does have Rear head restraints on interior and had a little black spoiler on the window. Also had a sunroof and electric windows.

Is your car pre facelift or post face lift?

Ollie

 

[MO!]

My SXE 1.4 has no electric mirrors or fogs. It does have Rear head restraints on interior and had a little black spoiler on the window. Also had a sunroof and electric windows.

Is your car pre facelift or post face lift?

Ollie

That sounds the same as mine then. Sunroof, rear spoiler, electric windows....

Pre/post facelift? No idea

How do I tell?

 

[ibiza95]

facelift was '96 onward i think, does it have full length bumpers or just a small black bumper like the pic below

 

[MO!]

It's an R reg', so I'm assuming it's post facelift?

Pic's from the seller when I bought it....

 

[ibiza95]

i would say that is the post-facelift as it has the smooth bumpers, do you have a front end pic\///

 

[MO!]

I'll take some pic's later. THey're just the ones from the sellers ad.

 

[CraigW]

AEX is the code for it yeah you've got a 1.4 alright. APQ is one and AEX is the other. the difference is single and multipoint fuel injection i believe, but i can't remember which code is which! I *think* AEX is single point.

Yep, the AEX is single point injection as my 1.4 is engine code APQ and it is multipoint injection.

I've had a few JVC CD players and they've been tempermental things, maybe swap it for a pioneer, panasonic or sony as they seem to be the best makes from experience. Its relatively straight forward to swap them over.

Ive had 2 JVC Cd players and I havent had any problems with them. The one I have is £300 worth and its excellent. Got it for £160 brand new tho which was a bargain.

 

[Cupra Kid]

Ive had 2 JVC Cd players and I havent had any problems with them. The one I have is £300 worth and its excellent. Got it for £160 brand new tho which was a bargain.

Yeah i've got a really old one that i bought second hand thats still going and its heading for 10 years old. But i've had a few newer smarter models that have died on me.

The guy in the audio shop said they cram too much into them too cheaply and thats why they give up

 

[Cupra Kid]

It's an R reg', so I'm assuming it's post facelift?

Thats a facelift alright, same spec as mine from what you say but mine was a Salsa, it had very erm jazzy seats.

I think looking back and checking a few on ebay its the 1.6 SXE's that came fully kitted with A/C and everything

 

[CraigW]

Yeah i've got a really old one that i bought second hand thats still going and its heading for 10 years old. But i've had a few newer smarter models that have died on me.

The guy in the audio shop said they cram too much into them too cheaply and thats why they give up

Ive had 2 JBC headunits in my Ibiza and both have been packed with features and I havent had any problems as of yet with them.

 

[Cupra Kid]

Cruiser, just noticed your sig, makes me want to go and stare at the GTi lol

Whites **** hot!!!!

 

[CraigW]

Cruiser, just noticed your sig, makes me want to go and stare at the GTi lol

Whites **** hot!!!!

White is definetely the colour. Wish mine was a GTi tho!? Especially once it cleaned etc. Took me about 3-4 hours to get mine like that.

Oh and its Craig btw.