Richard Baguley

Same problem. I'd try vagcom but the ECU port is completely dead (fuse is OK). Any ideas?

Once again, no helpful response.

Is there no-one here willing or able to answer?

Radio is standard unit.

So, which fan is aircon? I could hear the aircon fan(s?) but now no sound at all. Nor is there any longer a rev drop when switching aircon on. I suspect compressor, fan(s?) and possibly evap sensor (but don't believe that's the fault coz nothing is happening) all need replacement which is beyond me for DIY & far too expensive at a dealer or pro mechanic. Plus the power steering is on the blink (literally!) - steering angle sensor?) so it's soon time for the scrap yard. :-(

Have replaced fuse (it wasn't blown) and no change. Wiring is OK. Ideas?

Thanks, I will.

Car is a Fabia 2001 1.4 100bhp. We need to access diagnostics to try to turn off the EMS lamp (known fault, it stays on) but the diagnostic port is dead. Confirmed by local VAG dealer and AA. Any ideas?

Same model, similar question. The answer given doesn't seem to relate to the car I have: there is no "canopy" like coil unit. What probably are plugs cannot be seen because there is a contraption above each one that cannot be removed. What's the trick? My son tried (it's his old car & it'll be scrapped when the tax runs out) and he couldn't do it, either. Even though it's due for the chop it's useful for carting rubbish to the tip (!) but if there's a hint of damp about it refuses to start - doesn't even fire. A set of new plugs may be the answer? No answers but I now see what I am doing wrong: looks v. difficult to get at those bolts and they appear to have a strange x shaped head.

This may not be the door seal. If it's the n/s rear floor, does it get wet when the weather is dry? If so, you may be using the rear washer; the fault is a break (usually a joint) in the washer pipe above the n/s rear wheel arch. To check, pull the wheel arch trim away from the body and look towards the arch then get someone to use the rear washer: if this is the problem you'll see water running down the pipe onto the arch and downwards. It's very common (particularly when the fluid in the pipe freezes and causes the pipe joint to come apart) and hard to fix - I resorted to a friendly VW dealer (the Polo is the same).

Probably not a problem worth worrying about but have just replaced a duff low beam headlamp and noticed that the inner headlamp cover is missing (driver's side). Does anyone know of a source for a cheap part? I.e. not main dealer.

Old problem - the radio is bust! Following having to charge the battery (nothing was disconnected) the, standard, radio is coming on in SAFE mode. We don't have the key code. This is a replacement radio from Skoda dealer because they had the same problem: they killed the original radio at a service and discovered that it's impossible to find the key code to get it going again. Internet sites no help at all, they all advertise it can be fixed but when you actually get to the nitty gritty they admit it can't. Has anyone found a way round this problem? Doesn't matter too much as car will be sold/scrapped shortly but it's a pain nevertheless. Edit: we have a code - let's see if it works.

Similar problem here but related to wet weather. If car is left out in wet weather overnight it's difficult to start. If left our for a couple of days it won't start. When, eventually, it starts there's a huge amount of white exhaust "smoke": this is water vapour so the engine is suffering from extreme condensation. No problem in warm weather or in wet weather once warmed up. Trouble is the battery gets low so needs to be charged. Just had to do this and second problem - the radio is bust! It's coming on in SAFE mode & we don't have the key - this is a replacement radio from Skoda because they had the same problem: they killed the radio at a service and discovered that it's impossible to find the key code to get it going again. Internet sites no help at all, they all advertise it can be fixed but when you actually get to the nitty gritty they admit it can't.

Thanks for the replies. Well, Sunday morning it started but only after several minutes continuous churning. I suspect flooding but lasting all night? Anyhow, took it to local VAG dealer (manager is a neighbour and very helpful) and they cannot connect to diagnostics - completely dead, no readout at all (they have had no trouble before). Car still running OK so we'll see what happens next!

Car will not start. Left for a week & started perfectly on return but since then zilch. Battery OK. Almost started once but only ran for a few seconds. Fairly sure it's firing. Any ideas?