I've just bought my first Skoda, a 2009 1.4 diesel Mk2 Fabia (so pre-facelift?). Bit of a change form my Volvo that preceded it, but seems like an interesting little car. And surprisingly lively for such a small engine, if a little rattley at tick-over.

 

It took a while to master the one or two button operation of the remote locking, but whatever combination I use, I can't get the offside rear door to lock, even when using the key in the driver's door. The person I bought the car from didn't mention this! When the rest of the car locks, there is no click from the solenoid in the offending lock. I assume this means either the solenoid isn't working, or no current is getting to it. It seems a replacement lock isn't too expensive, but is there a simple way of checking whether the signal is getting through? I've had a look in as much of the door wiring loom that I can access by pulling the trunking out of the door and pillar, but as far as I can see, none of the scarily thin wires are damaged. For now, I'm using the emergency locking system from the owners handbook.

 

One more thing. Any tips on removing the door card without damaging it?

 

Thanks in advance

 

John

So there are two likely causes here.

 

First is damaged wiring between the driver's door and the A-pillar - the driver's door has the master controller for the central locking system and if it can't communicate with another doorm you'll have problems locking/unlocking. You'll need to probe each wire end to end for continuity to see if this is the cause.

 

Second is dry/cracked solder joints on the PCB inside the lock module on the door itself. Fix here is to remove the lock, pop out the PCB and reflow the solder joints.

Thanks, chimaera. I'll give it a try

Door card removal 2 X 15 TORX screws at the bottom edge.

Unclip the door handle Tim to expose 2 X 30 TORX. Then pry away the card from bottom up the edges. Loft the door card up. Don't pull to HRD as the alarm led wire is short.

 

Great, Cocain. Thanks for such clear advice.

 

I've discovered an invoice in the documents that includes "OSR door lock mechanism disabled". Dated February this year. I'll give the garage a ring and see why.

 

Have to say that the Fabia is growing on me the more I use it. Be great when the door lock is sorted out, too.

 

I've decided I can live with  the occasional horrible sound from the clutch (I think) when idling. It's not always there and goes away if I put the clutch out then in again. I can see from the service history that this noise was noted over 4 years ago, so I assume can't be too bad.