Ever since the storm here in Wiltshire last Thursday night my Fabia has been all but dead.  The only things working are the ignition system, engine, DSG box and brakes!  I called out the rescue service (Not Skoda Assist; a local breakdown firm the company contracts out to) and the mechanic couldn't find any fault using his mobile diagnostics kit, so suggested I booked the car in to the garage for further investigation. Someone on the Practical Caravan Forum helpfully mentioned your Forum, so here I am!  There were some suggestions made as to what the problem might be, but I was wondering how common this problem is.  I am a mature person, having been driving for about 40 years, and haven't experienced a problem of this nature before.  Any ideas, comments or similar stories welcome!   Now, I must go and get my car down to the garage, though technically I'm not sure I should be driving this car without any brake lights and indicators?  Can't use hand signals as I can't open the window!

I wouldn't be driving a car without working brake or indicator lights.

 

I will now give the stock answer to any problem with a Skoda: You need to ask someone near you to scan it with VCDS (which reads all the stuff off the computer, not just the basics a generic code reader can understand).

I know the AA has the full dealer diagnostics on board, not sure which breakdown company the OP called.

Its got to be something like a blown main fuse, might be worth checking the fuses in the box on top of the battery. Even a direct ligntning strike should not take out the electronics.

Ring Skoda Assist and ask specifically for a VAG technician to attend.

 

If you have no lights (brake or indicators) do not drive the car and advise Skoda Assist of the case as the car is not roadworthy and they should be recovering it.

 

With regards to the issue, I'd say it was something fuse related but like mannyo says, a direct strike "shouldn't" take out the electrics BUT thats not to say it can't...

 

EM

Welcome to the forum.

 

re, Storm Damage.

Do you mean that there was Flooding and you drove through it and got the electrics very wet,

or your car was hit by lightening?

It is going to really need to be a Skoda or VWG workshop checking things out.

 

Is the car still under Warranty Cover?

If it is flood damage, then you might be down to needing your Insurance Company assistance on cost.

 

george

Thanks for your comments, folks.  Yes I admit, I shouldn't have driven the car to the garage this morning, and I was bricking it for the 1 mile journey.  Fate treated me kindly, as I had no following traffic the whole journey.

 

Anyway, to answer some points, no, I didn't drive through any flood water during the storm, but my car was parked facing into the prevailing wind/rain.  I don't think the car was actually hit by lightning. All the fuses were checked by the roadside assistance mechanic, and no faults found there.  The car 's warranty ran out in April, so I took it to a local garage rather than the Skoda dealer.  Reading your posts, I'm now wishing I had actually taken it to the Skoda garage, however, their labour charges are a bit pricey, to say the least.  Scary when the budget is a bit limited!  Taking it to a non-Skoda garage may prove to be a false economy, if your comments are anything to go by!