Hi first post and in a bit of a pickle !, my central locking stopped working in the week and while trying lots of different solutions ( that haven't worked ) I have had to use drivers door lock with key, went to unlock today and now find that the key just spins around in the lock, because the central locking isn't working, I am now completely LOCKED OUT, is there a way to get in the car ?, if not i'm in BIG trouble. Any help would be appreciated , thanks

I assume the passenger side is also a no-go. Does holding the key in the unlock position so the windows come down work?

Hi the remote stopped working, so the windows wont go down and the drivers door is the only door with a key hole, just watched a you tube video where it shows a hidden key hole in the passenger door of a VW was hoping Skoda would be the same but afraid not :(

I mean unlocking the windows via putting the key in the barrel and holding it in the unlock position. Unless you mean by spinning that the barrel is bust. 

Ah, ok just just went out and tried that but didn't work, and yes the key just does a 360 ( no mechanical resistance ) so reckon barrel is broken

have you got a spare key to try to unlock the car via remote / battery change incase its a key fob / key battery fault? failing that windscreens are often covered for damage by the insurance 

hi, no i haven't got a spare key, but the remote itself is working because it transmits within the ham radio 433MHz 70cms band and when I press the button I can pick it up ( the signal ) on my ham rig, I can hear the carrier and data pulses, so I reckon the central locking fault is within the car electronics, luckily there is a garage at the bottom of my road, i'm hoping to get a mechanic up here tomorrow to try and get in without causing any damage apart from paint scratches maybe

Go through the boot?

hi, I don't think theres a way to open tailgate externally, no key hole and book says use either keyfob or lever inside

I'd maybe call a couple of scrap yards and see if they have any Fabias in and pop one of the side windows if all else fails

Do you have 2 button remote key

or 3 button remote fob type key?

We've got a very similar problem on our 1.4 Mk1 mpi. Drivers side just spins & recently the passenger side stopped working, such that it will rotate a quarter turn but doesn't unlock! A week or so back my wife ended up locked out at work & I arranged for a local locksmith to attend & gain entry for £50. I now need to get into the passenger side door to see what's involved in rectifying the fault + drivers side will need replacement. However I hate removing door cards etc as have had bitter experience of plastic retaining lugs etc snapping as you try to access! However not sure if that's the case with the Mk1 Fab's ?

 

The curse of Skoda locks strikes again!

yes, perhaps side window might be last resort and I have the 2 button keyfob and yes when fixed I too will have to try and get the door skin off to get access to the unit that gets allegedly affected by moisture, to potentially get the windows and central locking working again ( presuming its not the ecu unit above the foot pedals that's at fault ), those nasty little plastic lugs do worry me though, because on all cars they DO all break. Fixing wiring and circuit boards doesn't worry me, i'm an electronics service technician, but its the mechanical nuts & bolts side of things and having to stand upside down with six spare hands and 20 spanners, while trying to reach impossible to get at things, that I struggle with

No electric windows to worry about & managed to access the passenger side door this afternoon. Providing you take your time it's not too bad. Found the diagonal rod linking the central locking unit/control detached from the upper end (broken connecting lug).

However managed to re-secure but still no joy as the mechanism will lock but then fails to unlock on the reverse quarter turn!

 

So it looks like a imminent trip to our local Skoda dealer to probably replace both front locks! 

Sounds like you're making some progress as am I at last, managed to get in by levering up and removing bottom window horizontal trim piece ( exterior, that provides weather seal ) ( just press fits on to door ),( requires care as it's easily snapped ), this reveals a 5mm gap between door and window glass which allows visual inspection of part of the mechanism and managed to 'shape' a hooked rod to pull on mechanism, doing that and pulling door handle at same time resulted in access.

 

Have'nt removed lock barrel yet, because it was absolutely tipping it down...but i'm assuming its the usual broken C clip, spring, 'castle' clip and actuator paddle assembly on the end of the barrel that is broken, I have ordered these parts ( 2 kits ) from main dealer, will be here in morning, will attempt repair, weather permitting.

 

Pleasantly surprised to discover these kits were amazingly cheap from main dealer £4 ish in total and that's even cheaper than ordering from ebay !