Hiya,

I'm new here and will be needing all the help I can get! I've just come into ownership of a 01 reg 1.4 Fabia 8v mpi classic from an auction. And very pleased with it.

First of all though i need to know what type of key others have with the same classic 1.4 model, as i have just one very bog standard key without a button in it for central locking/alarm. Should I expect central locking on this model?

Secondly, the key isn't working in the driver's door, when put in the key just turns round and round!

The only door that opens with the key is the passenger side door, and then all other doors must be opened from inside. Looking at this forum, this seems to be a common problem.

Now here is a bigger problem, I can't open the darned boot!!! There's no key opening or push button on the boot, so how am i supposed to open and shut this thing if I have no central locking, no key opener on boot and no push button? I've tried tackling the catch from the inside, but even if I do get it open and then shut it, how would I open it again? This is the craziest thing ever!!

Now I would like to know, if anybody had similar problems problems to the above, how did you go about fixing them and how much did it cost? I'm budgeting for repairs so this will be very useful to me.

Thanks for all your help :-)

Hi, I've got a 1.4 (02 plate) mpi with exactly the same door locking problem. Haven't got round to fixing yet as we've tended to just continue using the passenger side for central locking. Have owned Skodas for years and most if not all have at some stage had the dreaded failing door lock. Based on past experiences the fix is not too drastic and shouldn't break the bank to rectify. On ours, the boot release lever is low down and immediately to the right of the drivers seat. Basically that operates the boot release but often when I'm on my own I've found that it doesn't quite fully release and you have go back and repeat etc (sometimes more than once which is a real pain!).

I'm sure the forum will be a valuable resource for you, all the best, Rob.

Hello Rob,

Thanks for such a quick reply! I'm guessing you meant to open the front bonnet? that's not a problem at all, it's the boot at the back that's not opening. The bulbs need to be changed for the reverse and brake lights plus the shock absorbers might need to be changed too so there's lots of reasons why we need to get it working again. It seems strange to me that thy haven't put a push button if not a key opening on the tailgate, but at least the car seems pretty solid.

Hello Rob,

Thanks for such a quick reply! I'm guessing you meant to open the front bonnet? that's not a problem at all, it's the boot at the back that's not opening. The bulbs need to be changed for the reverse and brake lights plus the shock absorbers might need to be changed too so there's lots of reasons why we need to get it working again. It seems strange to me that thy haven't put a push button if not a key opening on the tailgate, but at least the car seems pretty solid.

Hi Hannah, The bonnet release, as you've found, tends to be tucked more under the right hand side of the drivers side dash. The release I'm referring to sits to the right of the divers side seat, just above floor level and operates the boot. It's immediately obvious and if not then perhaps your model has a different arrangement? From what you describe sounds like you have a reasonably minor set of issues to resolve and once on top of things, like us, I hope you benefit from the economics/reliability of the Fabia. Cheers.

It's a classic so no factory fit central locking, it could be specified as an option but it's rare, it's a simple key with a standard transponder to disarm the immobiliser, no buttons required. As for the lock i've not suffered lock failure myself but if you do it's a door card off job.

The boot release is as Rob says, sit in the drivers seat and look at the bonnet release lever in the foot well, now follow the line of the base of the door till you come to a black section of plastic, this is in fact a lever, pull it up and it'll release the boot. If you need access to the light clusters and can't open the boot the conventional way then you can always fold down the back seats and remove the parcel shelf. Either way the boot has nothing to do with the shocks so it shouldn't prevent you from doing those.

Hiya thanks v much for your help, yes I found the boot opener on the side of the chair (it all makes sense now) fiddled around with the orange thing on the boot catch and now it's open! Wahey :-)

Boot problems usually happen when it's really cold . On the idea of modifying the boot release ,the lock is designed for both LH & RH drive, with provision for cable entry from either ( or both) . I had a remote release system in operation ( reason for removal is a long story) ,with a motor in the sparewheel well .in parallel with the manual system . Worked well . At that age I'd be tempted to look at condition of indicator bulbs ( paint flaking etc) .The holders are under the carpet ,with a slot in the bottom,and a clip at the top. Getting them back in can be tricky first time . But if you look at the pinned items on this section,most problems are covered with a "how to do " guide, and a list of common problems .The manual calls the boot "Luggage compartment" .User manual - if you haven't got one , I seem to remember that it's available on line as a download from Skoda .

EDIT - It's a nice little car, so enjoy .

Edited 23 March, 201214 yr by VWD