Very puzzled by what happened yesterday.  Parked the Yeti, switched off ignition - all perfectly normal, nothing apparently untoward.  Then found that neither of the two keys would operate the central locking. 

 

Got round that, using the door lock + key.  Returned to car later to find that I couldn't get in at all, either with the key or using the remote.  Horror!  After a few minutes, tried again and managed to unlock the car with the key (remote still not working).

 

Tried the classic computer trick - started engine, switched off again.  All fine now - no problems at all.  Central locking working perfectly normally.

 

Anyone else had similar problems?  Just wondering whether this is just 'one of those things' that happens on a rare occasion, or a symptom of a bigger failure to come.

Not with a Yeti, but did have a Motorhome (Fiat) which had a similar problem (while parked at home) which then disappeared 24 hours later and I put it down to temporary radio interferance from somewhere or another. That was 6 months ago and the problem has not reappeared.

 

I found that if I tried the remote while inside the MH it would work but not from outside. I suspected batteries, but changing them made no difference.

 

Dave

WARNING: Was this at Frankley Services on the M5 southbound? It is infamous for having powerful masts which overpower remotes. I could tell you a very long story about the Subaru there (which has a keypad override inside) but...

WARNING: Was this at Frankley Services on the M5 southbound? It is infamous for having powerful masts which overpower remotes. I could tell you a very long story about the Subaru there (which has a keypad override inside) but...

No - but your point's a good one.  Strange, though, that starting and stopping the engine cleared the problem.  And that it seemed not to be possible to open it even with the physical key for a while.

Strange as the key is purely mechanical and should have unlocked the drivers door, although if there was a problem with the central locking the other doors wouldn't unlock.

Wonder if there's an issue with battery voltage dropping in the colder weather...

I don't trust modern electronic systems to not muck up given the opportunity.

That's why I only charge my battery via its terminals.

I don't trust modern electronic systems to not muck up given the opportunity.

That's why I only charge my battery via its terminals.

We had a problem with the passenger side door not unlocking, even using the handle on the inside, it came and went a couple of times. Turned out to be the wiring to the door, they replaced the wiring bush and the new one looks a bit different, I think the old design gave rise to the wiring breaking more easily. It had to be happening at the time it went to garage, so they could identify. 

Hi,

 

Late addition to this post. My Yeti (61 plate, 45K miles) has started having similar problems. At first Driver and OS passenger door would not lock. Recovered itself. Then locked the drivers side deadlocks so couldn't get it. Had a conversation with technician at Telford Skoda - wiring loom is at fault. Apparently some of the looms were not quite long enough, they chafe on the door openings, and then the mechanism becomes unuseable. I can still  unlock drivers door with a key, but cannot lock it. Remedy is a new loom at £Daft plus ££Daft fitting and....you guessed it...out of warranty by 4 months!

Hi,

 

Late addition to this post. My Yeti (61 plate, 45K miles) has started having similar problems. At first Driver and OS passenger door would not lock. Recovered itself. Then locked the drivers side deadlocks so couldn't get it. Had a conversation with technician at Telford Skoda - wiring loom is at fault. Apparently some of the looms were not quite long enough, they chafe on the door openings, and then the mechanism becomes unuseable. I can still  unlock drivers door with a key, but cannot lock it. Remedy is a new loom at £Daft plus ££Daft fitting and....you guessed it...out of warranty by 4 months!

My Yeti was only a few months old when it happened last December, and it hasn't happened since.  I doubt the wiring could have chafed in just a few months and a couple of thousand miles, but I'll certainly bear that in mind should it happen again - thanks.  In your situation I'd be looking for Skoda to offer what VW used to call a Goodwill Claim - particularly if you've got some evidence to confirm what the technician said.