Hi everyone, just bought a 2019 Fabia and testing out everything to ensure it works properly. When opening the nearside passenger door with the key blade, the alarm sounded (I initially turned the key right, then left).

Both key fobs are working fine so I was able to silence it immediately. My only question is, how would I silence the alarm without a working key fob (remember mine is a pushbutton start so I can’t insert the key blade anywhere)

Any advice much appreciated!

Not sure on Skoda's but on most VW's the key recognition is done only by the ignition switch. If you open the door using a the key rather than the remote you have about 20 seconds to put a recognised key in to the ignition and turn it on (you don't need to start the engine, just get the ignition lights up). This will keep the system happy and the alarm won't go off. If you are not quick enough and the alarm does go off, don't worry it will be immediately silenced by inserting the key and turning in the ignition.

I have a non-chipped 'dumb' plain surf key (doesn't matter if it gets wet) and although this will unlock the door it will not turn off the alarm, you must insert the real chipped key (which you have have hidden inside the car) to avoid the alarm sounding.

Hello, welcome to the forum.

The alarm on SWMBOs Mk3 Fabia operates immediately the door is opened using the emergency key blade slot - no delay.

Edited 2 September, 20252 Sep by Warrior193
Add welcome

PS, AFAIK, the keyless ignition switch does not solely rely on the fob battery to disengage the immobiliser - placing the end of the fob close against the starter switch should silence the alarm and allow the engine to be started.

Apologies. I didn't realise the op's was keyless.

The delay VW's have is quite handy. I can wear my surf key around my neck whilst out windsurfing and open the door with it with just enough time left to deactivate the alarm with the real key rather than have the alarm go every time I come in for a cuppa.

One useful feature I do know is right concerning the alarm is if you want to briefly safely lock a dog or young children inside the car (outside a shop or petrol station say) you can double press the remote locking button. This not only switches off the internal movement sensor part of the alarm it also changes the security level of the locks to single locked. This means that the doors can be opened from the inside but not from the outside.

It's dangerous to lock anyone in a car with the usual single press because when the doors are double locked as they will then be, they cannot be opened from either the outside or inside in emergency such as a fire.

Thanks, this has been very helpful! I’m glad I know exactly what to do now in case the fob dies 🙂

Hi, welcome.

17 hours ago, Flatiron210 said:

My only question is, how would I silence the alarm without a working key fob (remember mine is a pushbutton start so I can’t insert the key blade anywhere)

Any advice much appreciated!

AFAIK you wouldn't - but why would you not have a working key fob available (possibly at great inconvenience I realise as one of my wife's VW key fobs failed, another poor quality VW part).

If you don't already do so best is not to have a "spare" key but keep all in use with some sort of alternating rota (I swap use of the two remotes every 6 months) this way gives more even wear and tear on the key fobs (and locks with key blades) and you know where the "spare"/other key(s) are located and the possible state of the remote battery. Also for those proximity KESSY remotes when not in use they want to be well away from the vehicle so as not to be competing for the vehicle's attention in a Faraday pouch or a tin.

If you've not already do so you can read the 'Owner's manual' for the car for advice and instruction on this and many other matter that could save time, hassle and expense with unnecessary visits to garages, mechanics and auto-electricians. A free VWŠkoda version is available at the VWŠkoda 'Owner's manual' site. - https://www.skoda-auto.com/apps/manuals/Models

HTH.

ETA: if I've read the 'Owner's Manual' correctly (not always easy with the VWŠkoda manuals I find) you can also deactivate the 'Internal monitoring' via the Infotainment menu so this may mean it doesn't have the switch button low down on the driver's side seatbelt pillar which my wife's 2015 Fabia has to switch off (not set) the interior and towing monitor.

Edited 3 September, 20253 Sep by nta16
ETA: missing words

You can still silence the alarm with a non-working fob because the small chip inside the fob continuously gives off a signal which the receiver in the ignition switch will recognise (even if the fob battery is completely flat) and once this 'handshake' has been completed the alarm will silence once the ignition is switched on and the car will also then be able to start. The little chip inside the battery needs no external power source. When you look inside a remote you can see the chip, it's just a small black ceramic thing glued in place with no wires.

Although you can buy these chips cheaply (less than £5) it is useless unless it is programmed to your car which these days means a live connection over the internet to Skoda.

1 hour ago, Rheumy said:

You can still silence the alarm with a non-working fob because the small chip inside the fob continuously gives off a signal which the receiver in the ignition switch will recognise (even if the fob battery is completely flat) and once this 'handshake' has been completed the alarm will silence once the ignition is switched on and the car will also then be able to start. The little chip inside the battery needs no external power source. When you look inside a remote you can see the chip, it's just a small black ceramic thing glued in place with no wires.

Although you can buy these chips cheaply (less than £5) it is useless unless it is programmed to your car which these days means a live connection over the internet to Skoda.

It is important to note that the part of the fob containing the chip is placed in very close proximity to the immobiliser sensor.

Yeap if it's just the remote part of the key fob that's given up the ghost (far, far to prematurely compared to other manufacturers offerings).

I wasn't thinking enough and taking a wider interpretation of the thing not working, more likely the remote part failing I'd guess.

The time before the alarm goes off seems to vary, as my wife found the one on her 2015 sounds as soon as you open the door but another reliable source has said the alarm didn't go off for them when opening the door, perhaps they got to the ignition in under 20 seconds or less.