Hi all, I bought myself a Fabia VRS late August 2022, I found it has a few issues and one in particular is really bugging me, the remote central locking. Now it doesn’t work from the outside of the car but when the key fob is inside the car it does work.

 

I have tired changing batteries in the key fob and running through a few wires to see if anything was obviously wrong with it but I can’t find anything.

 

has anyone had this issue before or know how to resolve it?  
TIA 

I've seen this happen when parked next to certain other makes of car, most likely giving off a signal for their central locking that interferes with the signal for the Skoda. Does the problem happen no matter where you park the car?

 

Another possibility might be something you have sitting close to the receiver in the car giving off interference. 

 

The other possibilities I can think of might be damaged wiring or a failing receiver. 

 

Without more information, I can't guarantee that this is the case for you. If, as you say, you've changed the battery in your key then it must be something on the car side causing the problem.

It happens no matter where I am, I’ve had the whole dash ripped out to try fit it better, it is on its second engine but considering the key fob works inside the car I don’t think that would cause an issue. 
 

Now the car does have a couple of other electrical gremlins which is the hybrid turbo sometimes cuts out and the power steering cuts out, this can be resolved by turning the car off and back on again. 
would it be worth getting an electrical specialist to look into it?

Try cleaning the contacts of the coin cell holder in the fob.

I will try that now 👍

Tried it and it’s worked a little bit but I have to hold the key within about a foot of the car 

 

Try another battery. Even though you've changed it, it might be faulty.

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

As it costs nothing and is so easy to do why not try synchronising the key remote, all you do is press any button on the remote from outside the car and then (within a minute) open the door using the key blade in the door lock.  That simple and quick, what's to lose.

 

Full details in the 'Owner's Manual'.

 

Edited 21 November, 20223 yr by nta16
spelling

Before trying to re-programme and chance really messing it up as it is obviously working to some point, try a battery from another source as the replacement battery obviously improved things - only inside car to a foot away. Years ago the range of remotes could be increased by putting the remote against your head and pressing the button. 

39 minutes ago, KeithCheetham said:

Years ago the range of remotes could be increased by putting the remote against your head and pressing the button. 

 

But your eyes blinked three times and you made bleeping noises.