Need help car idleing erratically

[Bennmk3]

Apart from the idling issues has it been difficult to start at times at all ?

cheers for the info i found a guide on how to do it plus one for the thermostat so gonna do both and ive ordered genuine parts. Figured even if it isnt the temp sensor causing it atleast i wont be replacing it in 2 months cause of a cheap part. should last me quite a while now and can rule it out totally. My exhaust did have a leak but it was patched and didnt help the mpg its possible the patch has popped again but would that cause the erratic idle aswell? and the cutting out?

[novadragon007]

Its refused to start twice i think but in general it will fire up straight after it cuts out or first turn of the key when cold

[Bennmk3]

110 percent it's that temp sensor then

[novadragon007]

heres hoping lol part should be here tomorrow so ill get it chucked on and post back 

[novadragon007]

well new temp sensor on and still no change still idling erratically and cutting out when the clutch is dipped

So far ive done:

Lambda sensor 1 (cause it threw a fault code)
MAF
Diverter valve
Coolant temp sensor
Checked for vac/air leaks and cant find any even when system is pressurised

Im at my wits end and due to have a flaming car sat outside my gaff.

Group 032 figures are Idle -6.9% partial -7.8% which i think means vac leak but for the life of me i cant find it can anyone confirm that?

Gonna take the car a hefty long run tomorrow and figured ill do some logging while im at it so what groups should i be logging that can best point to my fault?

[Bennmk3]

Hmm that's a strange one 
I have had a vehicle in the past that's the throttle valve has been at fault , so I'd suggest cleaning out your throttle valve and possibly your idle control valve
The one I had I cleaned out the throttle valve in a parts cleaner

[novadragon007]

sorry thats been done aswell throttle body cleaned and reset using vcds.

Ive just bought an agu chargepipe (turbo - intercooler) been reading alot about aum engines being guilty for leaking there. Is it just a straight swap for whats there?

Where is the idle control valve located?

[Bennmk3]

Iirc , I think it's around the same area as the throttle valve

[GTi_James]

is there anything wrong with your electrics? stupid question but i had an issue when i had a Xtrons headunit, once fitted the car rev hunted DRASTICLY as in the revs would run up to 2000 then down to zero then back up and eventually cut out then it would start up again fine and sometimes it would start but with a plume of white smoke coming out of the exhaust, i then changes my headunit to this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KENWOOD-DPX-404U-CD-USB-RECEIVER-WITH-IPOD-IPHONE-WMA-CONTROL-STEREO-HEAD-UNIT-/150944206701?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item2324f9cf6d

and all those issues dissapeared, it was like the car had no issues what so ever to start with

[novadragon007]

I think the idle control valve is part of the throttle body so shouldve been done. It was a garage that did the throttle body so ill whip it off and clean it again for peace of mind.

funny you should mention stereo cause my jvc headunit has decided to stop working although the power light comes on so perhaps ill disconnect it and see if it helps.