Well, after 2 and a half years of lovely VRS motoring she is currently acting up...

It's a starting problem and goes like this:

- One click on the key fob opens drivers door.

- Two rapid clicks opens all doors but not the boot. (I can't get the boot to open at all, even using the inside button on the driver's door)

- Turn the key in the ignition and wait for the plug light to go out, ABC, Traction Control, Gearbox and airbag light all stay on. The handbrake light flashes.

- Turn the key to start the engine and a steering wheel light appears, no action from the engine at all, not a sausage.

- After the failed attempt to start there are three beeps then the car locks itself but the drivers door latch fails to fall properly (only falls about 1mm).

- None of the electric windows will open.

- Fuel gauge doesn't register any fuel despite there being more than half a tank.

Any suggestions? :( I tried 'resetting the ecu' as a friend suggested by disconnecting the battery and touching both wires together for 30 seconds, that hasn't made any difference.

Any help/advice is much appreciated!

First thing id do is scan with a fault code/Vagcom

almost sounds as if your immobilizer is locking you out or your keys are not being accepted by the car..

Try disconnecting the battery for about 30 mins + .. not sure what you mean about touching the wires together, i hope you aren't talking about touching the + and - wires, that sounds a bit suspect mate

Thanks for the ideas, when I disconnect the battery does it need to be both wires or just one will do? If one, does it need to be the positive?

(When I disconnected the battery earlier the alarm was going off constantly and couldn't turn it off with the keys even. Don't think the neighbours will thank me if I leave it like that for half an hour! haha)

Got a mate with vagcom but he's 100 miles away, bugger!

Thanks for the ideas, when I disconnect the battery does it need to be both wires or just one will do? If one, does it need to be the positive?

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(When I disconnected the battery earlier the alarm was going off constantly and couldn't turn it off with the keys even. Don't think the neighbours will thank me if I leave it like that for half an hour! haha)

Got a mate with vagcom but he's 100 miles away, bugger!

Hello mate, just whip the negative terminal off but make sure it's tucked away somewhere nice and snug, if not tape it against something near by or cable tie it to prevent it from shorting against anything +ive charged near by (no idea if there is on the fabia)

But removing the negative (black) terminal will instantly isolate the car and should have absolutely no effect on the alarm mate.

worth a try.

Have you tested the voltage of the battery ?

With all the electrical problems it would be the first thing I'd check.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions! Speedy work guys, much appreciated!

I managed to borrow a multimeter and some jump leads from a friend...The battery was reading about 9.5, but 14 when I jumped it. So, new battery time it is!

Thanks again for your recommendations, for the record disconnecting the battery and holding the live and earth wires together for 30 seconds did appear to reset the ecu (windows, trip meter etc etc all reset now). Seemingly no adverse behaviour caused from that.

Good news is after a short drive it brought back just how amazing these cars are, even after 2 weeks away it was a real pleasure to take a quick drive again

Edited 20 August, 201114 yr by vrs_dave12

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions! Speedy work guys, much appreciated!

I managed to borrow a multimeter and some jump leads from a friend...The battery was reading about 9.5, but 14 when I jumped it. So, new battery time it is!

Thanks again for your recommendations, for the record disconnecting the battery and holding the live and earth wires together for 30 seconds did appear to reset the ecu (windows, trip meter etc etc all reset now). Seemingly no adverse behaviour caused from that.

Good news is after a short drive it brought back just how amazing these cars are, even after 2 weeks away it was a real pleasure to take a quick drive again

ah okay! wouldn't have thought to touch the wires together doesn't seem right.

Congrats on getting it sorted though mate.. enjoy it again