foundsound

Thanks for the pointers all, I've replaced my resistor pack without too much grief. Hardest part is getting the airbag out, but levering it up from the metal underside works. This video was helpful too:

Hello, can anyone tell me how to replace the side light bulbs? I part removed the wheel arch cover to get better access from below, and can just get fingertips onto the bulb holder but it won't budge. Does it twist or pull out? Am I missing something? Pics attached to show the assembly type and the side light hole with rubber cover removed.

Thanks for the quick replies folks! It's a hatch, and I've not noticed any real damp, but will try and hairdryer them anyway. Can I just lever that bit of trim off? Looks like I can get a screwdriver under the front door seal, but didn't want to launch into it and break things. cheers, foundsound

Hello all, My 54 plate Fabia just failed its MOT on the seatbelts, which don't reel in (or only very very slowly) I've tried spraying with silicone but no improvement. Can I get the plastic panel off, where the seatbelt goes in? Is there anything I can check or clean in there? Thanks, foundsound

Thanks for the replies folks, thought I better post back. The engine is petrol. I went first to my local garage, who supplied the battery about a year ago. They did a few quick tests and suggested the alternator was failing, and quoted me quie a bit. Their vagueness led me to check with the dealer (DM Keith) who ran a diagnostic for about £85. They said the battery needed replacing. I went back to local garage who did more quick tests and said, no battery is OK, the alternator voltage was varying 14-17V dependent on revs. They thought it was laughable that DM Keith said the problem was caused by a failed battery, as it was irrelevant once the engine was running. Back to DM Keith. Retested again and provided lots of diagnostic printouts, which said battery was definitely duff. I took these back to local garage, who replaced the battery on warranty but felt sure the problem was elsewhere. Off I drove with new battery. Everything fine for 10 minutes, then same problem. Back to DM Keith. They said their diagnostic system stops at the first fault, usually the simplest. So if the battery is duff, it reports that and they test no more. They have another look, but then say they can't now recreate the problem. They insist the alternator output is fine. Has been fine for about 10 days of normal use. They did say they'd taken out lots of wiring looms, so I wonder if there was just a loose connection. Both places were kind of patient and persistent but the whole process was... tiresome. I don't know what the moral of this story is. It might be to just use the bus and train if you can...

Hello all, I had a fun drive to/from work today in my 54 plate Fabia classic. The power steering cut out about 6 times in an hour. It seemed to happen when changing up, esp clutch up into 2nd. Engine still fine and a restart sorted it out for a while. The battery warn light has also been flickering intermittently for a few weeks with no ill effect. Usually for a second or less. I see power steering sensors are a common problem but I wonder if the battery light thing indicates something else. Battery is less than a year old. Any thoughts folks?

Thanks for the replies folks - this thread was quite old! I replaced the battery in the end after ongoing problems.

Hi, thanks for the reply. About 24 hours on slow charge. The charger indicator went green so not sure it continued charging longer. Guess I'll try charging again to see if the magic eye changes. cheers, fs

Hello all, I have a 54 plate Fabia, no probs till recently. I didn't drive it for a couple of weeks and the battery went flat (think I left something on and it was cold). Recharged it no problem except the green 'magic eye' had gone in the battery (the original Akuma one). The manual suggests topping up with distilled water but doesn't tell me how. I can unscrew two plastic caps under a sticker on top of the battery, I assume the distilled water goes in there. But how much should I put in? Looks like the electrolyte level is about 1.5 to 2 inches below the cap holes. cheers, fs