So, i bought a 2000 fabia 1.9 sdi for £1150.. looked at it and everything looked sound. Only when I took the thing home did i start to notice some problems.

1)PAS failed/became heavy/light

2)clutch slipping

3)3 massive cracks in windscreen

4)cam belt hadn't been chanced for 60k

so I had a full service, cam belt replacement and a new clutch.. my mates dad done it all at his garage.. it was cash-in-hand.. so no proof/recipt of the work carried out.. but i did save £200. Anyway, he did a terrible job with my clutch. Gears 1-5 work perfectly, but reverse gear sounds like it's attached to a 3L 4x4 it's that loud. Obviously something isn't right. Asked my mate to ask his dad if he can have a look at it, again. Just worried he's going to **** me about because it was cash in hand. But hopefully getting that sorted soon. (for free too, not paying for something which he caused!)

Getting a new windscreen on monday. So that's one less problem.

Now, on the the PAS. I think my battery/alternator could do with being replaced. But, I've read and read and I'm probably best off changing the Steering angle Sensor. Does anyone know where I can buy one? I've tried flea-bay but no look. Found the how-to replace them on the fabia-vrs site so that's no problem. The interior and exterior lights BOTH dim, which i think is unusual as i've only ever heard the exterior lights dim. Maybe it's worth replacing the battery + alternator?????

This week hasn't been so good for the fabia, feel like driving it into a wall. Afraid to drive it incase something else goes wrong!

I think it's probably just the battery - the PAS takes a fair bit out of the battery, and the dim flickering lights make me think battery. I would have it tested and replace it if needs be. You can check the alternator yourself by ptting a multimeter across the battery - you should see just over 14V with the engine running if the alternator is charging OK.

Hi

I had the flickering interior lights with the headlights as well, was advised change battery, alternator. all wrong it was the steering angle sensor shorting out intermittently and once that was changed all was fine. The lights should dim a bit even with a new battery alternator and angle sensor as electric driven pump draws alot of power. Have your battery and alternator checked before replacing to save paying out for no need. Hope that helps with the steering issuie.

Hi, that's good to know. The sensor is on it's way out anyway. So the smart thing to do would be to replace that. Only found one seller, http://www.skodaparts.com/product/fabia-steering-angle-yaw-sensor-2000-2005-35371 - is this the kinda thing I should be looking for? It's expensive as hell :(

Hi,

I had my sensor replaced by a VW Audi specialist and it was £170 fitted. The dealer I bought the car off paid for it as I had only had the car for a couple of weeks. Im sure that your local garage can get the part and fit for around what they charged for mine. Try finding a local Skoda,VW or Audi independant specialist as the car will have to go on the VAG Comm system to be set up once the new sensor is fitted to the car. As with the VW cars need to be reset on the computer before all is fine. Hope that helps. The old sensors were plastic and split and let waterin with age hence the shorting, the replacement ones are metal so stop that problem happening again.

Sorted. Getting my windscreen replaced tomorrow morning. Getting my clutch + a few other problems sorted on Wednesday.

I'm really tempted to buy that sensor on from here(http://www.skodaparts.com/product/fabia-steering-angle-yaw-sensor-2000-2005-35371) but £139 seems so goddam expensive.

Does anyone know where I can get one a bit cheaper? The problem is getting really bad now. It's like a little light show in my car and the steering goes ape **** for no reason! One sec really light and then I turn into a road and it suddenly gets even lighter while I'm turning and almost made me crash like twice already! :(

Hi,

I know what you mean one min like driving on ice then it goes very heavy and in the dark its like being at a disco. Im afraid that I tried to get one and it seems that you need a genuine part as you need the upgraded one so dont skimp and get one from a scrappy or you could end up in the same situation. Its a dealer supplied part only mate sorry but I can assure you its worth it and the car feels a million times better for it. Like I said it needs to be setup via the computer ok.

your mates dad?

not the best of starts is it

LOL

Yeah. ****. I didn't read that bit about it needing to be set up. Is it something I could do at home (with the right equipment?) I'm looking at buying one of those diagnostic readers, and I think they clear engine faults. But, I don't know much! So, is it worth buying the part of the link (above) and getting a garage to fit it? or go to a skoda garage?

I didn't mean my mates dad as in some random joe, I meant he has a legit garage and is a qualified mechanic, I went to him because my mate(his son) recommended him to me, like whenever he has a problem he just goes to his dad and he sorts it.

Hi,

The readers you get can clear fault codes and read them. They wont set up the angle sensor reset the throttle body etc as only readers. You will need a Laptop with the VW software on it and the diagnostic cable to go between the car and the Laptop. You need to find a garage that has the VW computer software. Or you could try just buying the sensor and get your garage to fit it and see what happens. My advice is to get the part and find a skoda vw independant or bite the bullet and go to the skoda dealer. I can promise you the car will be sorted once done mate.