Started after christmas. Random non release of hatch catch. It's one of the electrical handles above the numberplate that moves about 2mm when you press it. With the boot open the solenoid will work fine several times when the handle is pressed and then stop working. Oddly if I park, go to open the boot and it doesn't, I can open either rear door and then the boot release will work fine if I press it. Is the fault likely to be in the handle electrics?

Edited 4 January, 20197 yr by LB123

2 hours ago, LB123 said:

Oddly if I park, go to open the boot and it doesn't, I can open either rear door and then the boot release will work fine if I press it. Is the fault likely to be in the handle electrics?

 

That suggests a failing microswitch in the drivers door lock unit. Does the interior light come on when the drivers door is opened?

 

Does the lights-on warning bleep sound if you open the drivers door with your side lights on (without key in ignition)?

Edited 4 January, 20197 yr by TMB

Playing with doors and remote this morning it worked fine initially. Driver door opening caused fuel pump to prime, warning beep for sidelights, interior light. After ten hatch openings it went intermittent. While the hatch is unresponsive the driver door also doesn't do the sidelight beep or interior light. 

So the driverdoor lock microswitch is failing?

I don't understand why I can open the hatch, hold it open and see the solenoid operate several times with the release and then it fails and wont work again till I open a back door. The state of the driver lock is not changing during this process. I'm not slamming the boot closed each time. And I don't normally have to open any door if I'm just opening the hatch to plonk shopping bags in the boot.

Perhaps I should add the remote is two button with no third button for boot open.

 

I think I have just about had enough with this car. It's youngest daughters pride and joy and no great problem for me to drive and fix but she lives 150 miles away and needs something more reliable as she is not a mechanic. Middle daughters 1.4 diesel fiesta (same vintage car) just plods on forever. My even older polo and bora also are problem free.

6 hours ago, LB123 said:

 While the hatch is unresponsive the driver door also doesn't do the sidelight beep or interior light. 

So the driverdoor lock microswitch is failing?

 

 

Yes the microswitch is probably only working intermittently. You have the classic symptoms.

 

 

 

Rats. I hate changing door locks. Bora, golf, fabia, polo. All four door. It's about one every four months. A least we scrapped one of the fabs.

My hatch locked stopped working again today. It worked after I opened a passenger door!! Warning buzzer with side lights on did not work when I opened driver's door. Are these the classic driver's door lock micro switch symptoms?

1 hour ago, Doily said:

My hatch locked stopped working again today. It worked after I opened a passenger door!! Warning buzzer with side lights on did not work when I opened driver's door. Are these the classic driver's door lock micro switch symptoms?

 

Yep!

Oh bril! Thanks TMB. I've seen brave people on this forum and on YouTube changing just the switch. But that's not for me. Any help with part number for a lock please and places to buy ? Thanks

You can get cheap lock units on ebay. Never had one myself but I know others have had success with them. The genuine Skoda ones are over £150.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-FABIA-SEAT-CORDBODA-IBIZA-1999-2009-FRONT-RIGHT-CENTRAL-DOOR-LOCK-NEW/131779955351?hash=item1eaeb28a97:g:nTkAAOSwnMBaaGXR:rk:18:pf:0

 

 

Edited 5 January, 20197 yr by TMB

Solution.

Should have posted this sooner but have been living with the problem waiting for a warmer day. Changed the driver door lock for a cheapo ebay special and problem resolved. I now don't have to open a any door before the hatch will unlock from the key remote. It is strange behaviour I still think that failure of the driver door microswitch prevents the boot unlocking.

Edited 9 February, 20197 yr by LB123
Solution

3 hours ago, LB123 said:

 I still think that failure of the driver door microswitch prevents the boot unlocking.

 

It does.

Sorry. Brain fade. Meant to say something like 'I still think it's strange behaviour that failure of the microswitch in the drivers door prevents the boot unlocking'. I know it does but its kinda weird/idiosyncratic that it should. With the switch working I can walk up to the car in Tesco car park, press the fob button and open the boot. Why should it be that with the switch bust I have to open a door (not the drivers door)?

Now that your drivers door microswitch is working, the car knew you'd opened the door when you got out of the car and locked it. Thus when you went back to the car and opened it with the fob, the boot finger switch was active. It's just how the central locking works. If the car doesn't know a door has been opened it will keep the boot locked for security. Bloody Germans