Right, Quick question.

Having found myself a Fabia VRS which I thought was reasonably good I have encountered problems.

The traction control light does not come on either when the ignition is turned to stage 2 or the ASR button is pressed. I don't even think the traction control works as when I accelerate hard i cannot get the traction control to kick in, the wheels just spin.

The dash pod has definitley been removed. There are no screws holding it in place and I have noticed a tear in the face of the speedo dial about an inch in length.

My theory is that the ASR light has been on and rather than fix the problem someone has pulled the dash pod out and messed with the lights.

The questions are?

1) Is there likely to be a specific place the traction control system has failed i.e a part that could be replaced.

2) Would the tear in the face of the speedo indicate the access point to disconnect the ASR light.

3) If I manage to get the traction control problem fixed is it possible to repair the current instrument pod by fixing the damage to the ASR light and replacing the speedo face or will I have to get a complete pod.

I am seriously not happy as this is now two cars out of three I have bought from independant dealers in the past 2 years which have had problems.

I spent ages checking the body work condition, the engine and the interior. I knew it needed a service, the rear washer didn't work and possibly needed new front discs and pads but factored that into the price I paid. I missed the dash lights and the hairline split in the speedo face, Should have smelt a rat when the dealer specifically stated there was only a warranty on major engine part failure.

sounds like the tear is in the exact place where the asr light is mate. The light could have been on due to a wire that breaks in the engine bay but cant remember what or where. Have a search for ast or traction and see what comes up.

Get someone with vagcom / VCDS to scan the car and find out what is wrong. Could be something as simple as a broken speed sensor, which both the ABS and traction control uses. Have you tried doing an emergency stop to see if the ABS is dead as well?

Edit: I would also remove (usually you unslot lower panel and there's two T20 bolts holding it in at the bottom) and thoroughly check it for tampering, etc. They split open easy enough.

I have tampered with mine to ensure the airbag light never comes on, but then its my car and no-one else is ever going to have it

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I have checked the ABS with an emergency stop and that seems to be working just fine.

I'll take the car into Skoda next week and have it plugged in.

Just hope its not going to cost an arm and a leg to fix!!

Might just be the switch on the dash potentially.

You might find, unless under warranty, that the dealer charges a small fortune just to plug in. Might be worth a browse of the list of Vagcom owners in the vagcom section and find someone near you

Where about are you based mate?

I'm down in Royston Herts.

Have spoken to my local Skoda garage who have agreed to have their Master technician plug it in for free and give me a print out of faults on Wednesday. I'll wait and see if they are as good as their word.

If i have to buy a new instrument pod I suspect it will only be available through them anyway??

#if skoda get funny ill plug it in for you, im only in hitchin so not far to go, then again on tuesday theres everychance ill be covering for someone at royston fire station untill 6pm.

If you need a hand let me know

I'm down in Royston Herts.

Have spoken to my local Skoda garage who have agreed to have their Master technician plug it in for free and give me a print out of faults on Wednesday. I'll wait and see if they are as good as their word.

If i have to buy a new instrument pod I suspect it will only be available through them anyway??

You could get a secondhand one. They can be recoded by someone with the right kit.

Thanks all.

I thought that the instrument pods were coded to the ecu and once they had been coded once they could not be recoded?

Is there any more news on the codes / faults found, sounds like this is a regular issue so all the solutions found may help everyone. I've got a similar problem but mines on a 02 plate Octavia 1.9 tdi but would still be nice to know all possible solutions so i know what to check next

Regards Dave