jonboyuk

Just to let you know they eventually replaced it. It's fine now!

Thanks for confirming. They've ordered a new one now, but it's on 'backorder' so will take 6 weeks to arrive. Oh well, hopefully they will actually do it. I'll keep this thread updated.

Nice! That's what I thought. He said well it's £350 for a new one and if it's not broken then Skoda won't replace it. Also so much for a "full strip down" of the interior!

Thanks man. I thought so! I did check other Skoda's, so the fact that they are telling me it's not faulty because they can make it work is just bull. Why are they making such a meal out of it?!

Phew. Do you think they are being ridiculous with me then?

Ooops, my apologies!

Please can this be deleted @Tech1e? I've reposted it in the correct place 🙂 Thanks.

Hi all, I'm having a bit of an issue with Skoda service dept (Bristol) and I wondered if any of you can give me some feedback just so I know I'm not going absolutely mad. On the day that I collected my Octavia (2 months ago), I noticed the central armrest just flopped back down and wasn't ratcheting properly. Initially the salesman I got it from said, "The armrests don't ratchet anymore". (Lies!) I took it for a repair yesterday and they said they'd sorted it. Apparently I was using it wrong, and I have to lift it up very gently to find the first ratchet, then it works. As he could get it working (with a very particular action), he said there was no fault and that it's not covered by warranty. He also said all Skoda's are like that now (including his Octavia). I didn't believe him. I checked ones in the showroom and went in his Octavia, and they all made the clicking sound and worked as (I) expected. He said they should be like mine, and noiseless and that it was "probably one of the simply clever features". I saw the service manager who echoed his junior. "I can get it working, so I deem it not to have a fault, sorry". I explained that they are supposed to work without me having to gently find the correct ratchet position to which he said, 'well it works and I deem it okay'. I explained that I wasn't happy so he said he could book it in for a full inspection, but it involves "stripping the car down" and if they can't find a fault then it's not covered. Then they have to send photos to Skoda to get authorisation to get the replacement part. He was also semi implying that maybe I broke it. I'm fuming because there IS a fault and it's as if they're all trying to make me think it's okay when it's clearly not. All my old Skoda's (Karoq/Fabia etc) all ratcheted properly and made a sound. Here's a video: https://youtu.be/bWuSBcbFt_k Please tell me I'm not going mad 😞 Thanks.

Sorry guys can someone move this into Octavia MKIV please?

Hi all, I'm having a bit of an issue with Skoda service dept (Bristol) and I wondered if any of you can give me some feedback just so I know I'm not going absolutely mad. On the day that I collected my Octavia (2 months ago), I noticed the central armrest just flopped back down and wasn't ratcheting properly. Initially the salesman I got it from said, "The armrests don't really ratchet anymore". Which I suspected to be a lie. After *eventually* getting Skoda to get it booked in, I took it in today for them to diagnose it. After 30 mins a guy came back and said "It's sorted!" Showed me. Apparently, I have to lift it up very gently to find the first ratchet, then it works. As he could get it working with a very particular action, he said there was no fault and that it's not covered by warranty! He also said all Skoda's are like that now (including his Octavia). I went into his and a few around the showroom (inc. a new Octavia) and they ALL make an audible ratchet sound. I then saw the service manager who said "I can get it working, so I deem it not to have a fault, sorry". I explained that they are supposed to work without me having to gently find the correct ratchet position to which he said, 'well it works and I deem it okay'. I explained that I wasn't happy so he said he could book it in for a full inspection, but it involves "stripping the car down" and if they can't find a fault then it's not covered. Then they have to send photos to Skoda to get authorisation to get the replacement part. He was also semi implying that maybe I broke it (which isn't the case since it was like that the day I collected it). I'm fuming because there IS a flipping fault and it's as if they're all gaslighting me telling me it's okay when it's clearly not. All my old Skodas (Karoq/Fabia etc) all ratcheted properly and made a sound. Here's a video: https://youtu.be/bWuSBcbFt_k Please tell me I'm not going mad 😞 Thanks.

Great - thanks chaps!

Damn, mine has just become very loose (I can see the plastic starting to sheer on the handle)! I've just ordered a replacement using the part number on page 1 (thanks @psul). I've also looked at the door card removal guide (thanks @JGrindel). However, do I have to disconnect the battery? Can I just do it without faffing around under the bonnet? Hoping this is a straightforward job! Thanks

No actually, the pitch remains the same.

I have looked and listened yes, but my powers of deduction on anything under the bonnet are, well, lacking. I just wondered if anyone had heard that noise before!

Hi all! I've just finished replacing a front headlight bulb on my wife's Fabia, (there are no words), and I turned on the car to check it. Anyway after a minute or so it started making this annoying whiney noise. Does anyone know what it might be? I'm not overly worried, but would like to know if anyone's heard it before? Thanks!

After all that, I was driving past my Skoda garage in Bristol. I popped in anyway and they ended up changing them for me - free of charge Props to them!!

I need that tool!!! That might be the answer Save me the hassle of faffing around with random garages! Thanks!

Thanks matey, I'll give it one last go tomorrow before taking it to the Dealer!

I had another jimmy around with that one I photographed and with a bit of a push (which is very hard in a tight space) I managed to release it!! However - that was the one that wasn't dead 😂 I just wanted to understand the concept before attempting the side where's there's absolutely fudge all space for your hand (the n/s light). How did you manage that one? Did you go up through the arch hole? I'll try again when it's light!

I guess I'm just afraid I'll snap it if I apply too much force. So literally, it's just grab and twist. Maybe my hands are too big?

You'd think so wouldn't you? Slightly perturbed by the Bath branch suggesting I'd have to pay them to remove the bumper to access it!

Thanks so much for describing that. When I had a go, I (and the garage I saw this morning) got as far as "Twist the connector (like a bayonet-cap light bulb), then the bulb and fitting/connector come out as one." I literally can't do it. The garage struggled too, even while *gently* trying to twist with some long nosed pliers. When you say like a bayonet, you mean push the fitting towards the car, while twisting anti-clockwise? I took a pic of the one that is relatively easy to access... So grab either side of the bulb (3) push towards car (1) while twisting in the direction of (2)? I did try this, but maybe I've not got the knack...?!

If only!!

Hell!! That's crazy! I love how the manual stipulates that it's possible for Jo Bloggs, and pretty simple. I think I might just take it to Bristol and just use the OEM bulb 🙄

I've read a few threads on this forum about replacing the dipped beam lights on a 65 plate Fabia but it's impossible! I have the SEL with the LED daytime lights. I bought some Osram (road legal) bulbs, but failed at the whole removing the bulb. Took it to a local garage. They failed. They wanted to take the bumper off, so I said no thanks. Called Skoda Bath. They said they could do it with the bulbs I bought but couldn't quote me over the phone!! They said they would also need to remove the bumper and it would probably take between 30-60 mins!! Called Skoda Bristol. They said they could do it, but refuse to install the bulbs I bought because they aren't 'original equipment'. So much for Simply Smart! Any ideas?