I have a 2011 Fabia 1.2 TSi Combi, that has been developing more and more electrical glitches over the last year. Some are permanent (eg I know the switch on the driver's window control is kaput, but the motor still works as it lowers/raises via the key fob), some very regularly intermittent - within the same day, or week, or month - and a couple very randomly and occasionally. I can't find a pattern or common set of circumstances to explain any of these.

 

It's quite the list. 

 

I've searched for a couple - eg I've seen several threads on 'blowers only work on 4' so some are clearly known issues. BUT it feels like there's something bigger going on here. 

 

I'm moderately handy on the more mechanical or engine-side basics (or at least I was, with older cars, when you could see and change more bits) but electrics I'm less confident about, and it could be that it's really obvious to the electrically-gifted that 'well if X fuse/resistor has burnt out, it's going to knacker the whole of the Y bit of the loom'. 

 

With any fixes, I have to factor in the fact that I have good but limited tools, and no garage or driveway, so I have to factor in doing repairs on the street. 

 

It's also our only car so I can't risk getting stuck with the car in bits. 

 

Any suggestions gratefully received. 

What are the other problems?

2 hours ago, MijIsTired said:

 

It's quite the list. 

 

 

Give us the list!

lol I take a guess at door loom related problems !!!

Top guess. 

7 hours ago, MijIsTired said:

Any suggestions gratefully received. 

 

A Clairvoyant.

1 hour ago, J.R. said:

A Clairvoyant.

 

They're all frauds so I guess we'll have to wait for the OP...

Ah, hi everyone, how rude of me to post and ghost. 

 

Well, you did ask... [apologies for the bold, can't isolate the damn code from when I copied and pasted]. I wrote this a month or so back. 

 

All the time:

• Driver’s window switch broken (motor works, as responds to key fob)

• Heat / blowers only work on setting 4 [NB I've read the threads about the resistor now!]

• Speakers both work, but not always at the same time

 

Regular but intermittent 

• Boot catch doesn’t unlock on central locking (mechanism fine), but does with boot release button on fob 

• Double click on key fob doesn’t always unlock all other doors

• Power outlets in car and in boot sometimes don't provide power (despite changing cable, adapter or device)

 

Rare

• Rear windscreen wiper occasionally turns itself on when front wipers are functioning and/or will continue after being turned off 

• Passenger electric window not reliably responding to switch on passenger door

• Interior lights not always coming on when the door is opened, despite correct switch position selected. 

 

3 hours ago, UrbanPanzer said:

lol I take a guess at door loom related problems !!!

 

This is exactly what I wondered! Partly cos of the random locations of problems; partly cos where there's a lot of movement, there's a lot of wear. 

A lot of those issues would stem from wires in the door loom beginning to break down, IMO/IME.

2 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

A lot of those issues would stem from wires in the door loom beginning to break down, IMO/IME.

 

That sounds harder for a home fixer to tackle than the 'under the dash' stuff. 

1 minute ago, MijIsTired said:

 

That sounds harder for a home fixer to tackle than the 'under the dash' stuff. 

 

I imagine @Breezy_Pete is your man for explaining what to do... because it certainly ain't me!

Yep, definitely need to pull the rubber boot back and check the wires between the drivers door and A pillar.

And the other side. 

Thanks @Breezy_Pete and @UrbanPanzer

 

OK, before I do that (and it's gonna be days or next weekend now til I'll get the chance), or perhaps as well as doing that, having read other threads it feels like I'm still likely to be needing to replace the resistor pack for the blowers.

 

So, oh wise electrical-gurus, is there a 'least bad' order to do those two things in? ie, resistor pack change & looking at / potentially trying to do something about the door wiring?

May as well do the resistor first, to restore ventilation options.

Then drivers side wiring bellows; then - if faults remain after fixing any problems there, the wiring bellows on passenger side. 

Thanks, that was my instinct too. 

 

The blower resistor (and possibly the driver's door window switch, just because I know when it failed and it's never worked since), apart from also seeming to be connected to sheer age of the vehicle, feels a separate issue. 

 

Hopefully my small hands will be a bonus for once, when I try to do that. I definitely seem to have less trouble replacing front lamps (though they're still a PITA) so 🤞

 

While I'm here: a lot of the threads are quite old now in terms of recommended suppliers / good prices / reliable parts. Is it a 'straight to GSF for reliability' for the resistor pack, or are there new kids on the block?

On 26/06/2022 at 18:50, MijIsTired said:

While I'm here: a lot of the threads are quite old now in terms of recommended suppliers / good prices / reliable parts. Is it a 'straight to GSF for reliability' for the resistor pack, or are there new kids on the block?

 

Shamelessly bumping my own thread, just to re-ask this question 😉 

One here on Ebay,

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202047381550

 

But if you want to be sure of quality.....then compare price /  order from your local Skoda, VW or Audi dealer

 

P/N 6Q0959263A

Edited 1 July, 20223 yr by UrbanPanzer

Thank you, I'm confident ordering certain bits and spares off t'internet, but electrics/electronics isn't my area so I'm a little more wary. Appreciate the steer. 

OK. Done. Seemed a good balance between top dealership price (over £50) and el cheapo elsewhere £11.50).

Well, said it would take me a while. But woohoo, 3.5hrs and several dead torches later, and the blowers blow on all settings. THANKS everyone, plus the many YouTubers whose videos I cherry picked, cos having a top glove compartment, and dash passenger airbag to work around, seems to be a bit of a rarity. 

Edited 26 November, 20223 yr by MijIsTired