mears

Update to this sorry story is: Skoda recommended changing the key barrel as that is part of the imobiliser system. Unforunately that didn't solve my problem. They next said we should change the dash instument panel and at £400 i decided to by a second hand one which was £80 + £20 for skoda to re-program the panel. Since then all has been okay not a blip. I think it was sko-spares i bought it from. Hope this helps anyone out there.

The saga continues: The car is now not starting at all, the immobiliser light flashes continuously. I have been in contact with a specialist company who repairs instrument panels and they went through a fault diagnosis via email with me. The result was that they felt that the permanent 12v feed was intermittent or faulty. They suggested that I run a new feed to the panel. This was done today and the car is still the same. Now the only thing that has not been changed is the instrument cluster but my local skoda garage will not commit to this being a 100% guarantee fix. So far I have spent over £300 without a fix in sight! The instrument cluster is £400 to buy. Skoda UK have said they cannot help as the car is out of warranty (2002 plate) I now hate this car and am about to do a Basil Fawlty and kick and bash it to death!:eek: Soap box away -- Can anyone suggest a possible route of action / fix / anything! Mears

Yes - Results are the same with the spare key.

Thanks for all the replies. Yes the whole barrel was changed. I was also told by an indepdant garage that the immo could not be worked around. Interesting that you say it can be? Re:- Gary at Skospares does a nice line in immobiliser kits, he's supplied us in the past with a dash panel, ECU and key all from one car and I expect that he will even provide a lock set to go with it. Would this mean one key to open the door and a different key to start the car? Re:- I would double check that the problem doesn't lie with the transponder in the key ! Yes that is a good idea. I don't think that the garage or Skoda UK is going to commit themselves to pinpoint a guaranteed fix. Which I feel is unacceptable. There must be a finite number of things that can be wrong? Key - Checked Ignition Barrel - Replaced Wiring - Checked Whats left - Instrument Panel? or more? Surely that if it is only the Instrument Panel then they should be confident enough to guarantee a fix. Saving poor old me forking out £400 to find out that didn't fix it either! It is really ironic that every garage says "Sorry mate only Skoda can sort that issue out" Yet Skoda can't fix the problem! Rock or a hard place! :( Thanks for listening folks Mears

Hi homerjh, Yes the immobiliser is working but just not correctly ie it should work for me as the owner. Car was in the driveway for 5 days and would not start. Had to tow it to the garage. How much is an ECU? Mears

Hi Fabia 1.9sdi 2002 - immobiliser light flashing - Story so far: This was an itermittent problem for over a year but now is more permanent than not. I have had work carried out by the Skoda garage as no other non skoda garage can do anything with it. Work carried out: Key barrel was changed - £200 Wiring checked - £40 Keys checked - No cost Next thing is the instrument panel - £400 with no guarantee to fix. I have been told that you cannot by pass the immobilser on this car. Has anyone tried this? or has anyone got a solution or suggestion? At the moment I just feel very frustrated as know one can guarantee anything and it is costing a fortune. Mears :confused:

Thanks TD eye, That was the first thing I tried. It is the same with both sets of keys. Does any one know how many wires connect the key barrel to the imobiliser? I think that I will check out the wiring first myself. Grudge paying £50 per hour for that. Mears

Hi All, I have a Fabia 1.9sdi 2002 model. I have been having intermittent problems with the immobiliser symbol flashing on the instrument panel. When flashing the car won't start. I have been to my local Skoda garage and the inignition barrel was replaced as that was the most likely cause, apparently there is a sensor in the barrel that can go faulty. £200 later the fault has not been cured. As it the fault is intermmittent they are not able to pin point the actual problem. I now feel as if I am throwing good money after bad so to speak. The car is booked in to get the wiring checked next week but I feel as if this could end up costing more than the car is worth. I would appreciate any advice on possible fixes or causes? It is a real shame as I really like this car and when running it goes like a dream. Thanks in advance, Mears

Hi All, Update on this issue is that the diagnostics didn't pick up anything! Garage says it might be the sensor in the key barrel that is a bit dodgy but at over

Thanks for all your replies. To update: Yes there is a flashing key symbol on the dash. Stupid me not noticing that before. I contacted the local Skoda garage and they recomended that I switch on the ignition and leave it on for 15 minutes. This may well reset the immobiliser. Low and behold it worked the car started. Great i thought until I drove to the other side of town and the car failed to start again. Same flashing light. So looks like it maybe the key barrel thats goosed. The barrel apparently has a sensor of some sort in it that communicates with the imobiliser. I have tried both sets of keys with the same results. So off to the garage tomorrow it goes. It's a shame really because i really like this car but over the past two months it has cost me over

Hi All, I have a 1.9sdi diesel Fabia 2002. The engine starts, but stops immeadiately. This was a rare intermittent problem but know is happening all the time that I can't use the car. The local garage mechanic said it could be related to the oil service indication displaying. But this was reset during the recent service. The fuel filter was also replaced recently. There is plenty of diesel in the tank. Does anyone have any ideas what the problem maybe. I will have to get a tow to the garage. So thought i had better check and see if there was anything obvious that could be wrong that i may have missed. Many thanks in advance, Mears