Hi everyone

Can someone help me, 2 weeks ago I went to open my drivers door and the handle did nothing it just moves back and forth freely, I assume that a cable has detached or broken, so I want to remove the door panel to try and fix it. What scares me is the amount of electrics etc... can you guys offer advice on removing the panel what i'm likely to find and how easy is it all to put back My model is a 2003 mk1 Octavia Vrs.

Many thanks.

its very easy. The collar on the handle cable may just have come out of place. This will tell you how to remove the door card http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/126257-octavia-1-replacing-door-latch-microswitch/ if not then it may have broken. I have a spare one I can send you for price of P&P if it is snapped

It's not too hard, I had to remove my drivers door card because the same thing had happened to me, it's a snapped "Bowden Cable" inside the door which connects the inside door handle to the latch mechanism.

There's just a some phillips screws to remove under the window/lock control unit and under the tray at the bottom of the door. There are then a load of hex/torx screws around the edge of the door card. You need to unplug the multiplugs for the lock/window controls and the heated mirror control before you pull the card right off, and take the stereo tweeter cover off so you can lift the door card up and off of the door (it's clipped quite tightly in against the window).

You'll probably find your bowden cable is still attached at both ends but some of the fibres have snapped making it really loose. Disconnect it at both ends and then attach a new one. The only difficult thing is getting it to attach at the latch end because the latch is hidden behind a big metal bit of door so it's a pig to get to. I ended up bending the metal out a bit and using some long needle nosed pliers to clip the new cable into place.

It's pretty easy to remove the trim.

I did this for the back door but it's almost the same as the front:

http://www.pimpmyskoda.co.uk/RearDoor.htm

its very easy. The collar on the handle cable may just have come out of place. This will tell you how to remove the door card http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/126257-octavia-1-replacing-door-latch-microswitch/ if not then it may have broken. I have a spare one I can send you for price of P&P if it is snapped

Hi Mate,

Followed instructions successfully and yep the cable has bust, so if the offer of the cable is stil on, can I send you a stamped addressed envelope? How much should I put on postage?

Please let me have your address. Thanks v much for advice and the kind offer of the cable, you're a gent.

Best wishes, Paul

PM sent

PM sent

Thanx so much for the cable Mike

Can you or anyone offer a solution to attaching it at the lock end???? (not the internal handle) been at it for hours now just about to kick the car

Please please help

what attaching the cable that I sent you to the lock? You just turn it 90 degrees and it slots in, its much easier taking the lock mech out which only takes 5 mins but should be easy enough with it still in place.

Thanx so much for the cable Mike

Can you or anyone offer a solution to attaching it at the lock end???? (not the internal handle) been at it for hours now just about to kick the car

Please please help

Hi there if you mean the door handle side shut just slot in place

Maybe this guide i did may help you. Shows some pics of the cable

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/126257-octavia-1-replacing-door-latch-microswitch/