Wow - I discovered this website yesterday and it is absolutely brilliant! Congratulations to whoever started and runs it.

Anyway, we have recently bought a secondhand Fabia 1.4 Classic Hatchback - my third Skoda (had an old Estelle and then a Favorit some years back). It has everything we really want, but I want to fit central locking for th four passenger doors.

I have purchased the genuine Skoda central locking kit and it's obviously a day's job, but seems pretty straightforward. However, does anyone have any advice on how to remove the four door interior trim panels, the panels on the A, B and C columns and the door sills. I have fond memories of doing this sort of thing on the older cars when fitting stereos and speakers, but I'm sure someone here could give me a few tips - I'd be very grateful.

Also, any general advice about the central locking kit would be very welcome too.

Thanks,

D.

Great to see more Fabia owners joining!

I've had some experience removing the A pillar trim. Its just held in place by (pretty stuborn) clips, so i pressume the rest of the door trim panels etc are the same with the odd screw thrown in for good measure.

It shouldn't be too difficult with a bit of investigation.

By the way when you push the clips back in, be sure to give them a firm shove so that they are nice and secure. Otherwise you'll get lots of rattles.

Did you get a remote with the kit?

Welcome, agree with fabia TDI,s hints the main thing is to be a little bit careful not to stress things to much when removing until you are sure where the clips are etc take it easy making sure the clips are aligned when refitting. I have taken trim off Octavia and Felicias which seem to share the same fixings so probably the Fabias the same.

I to have had Estelles and Favorits, your engine in your 1.4 8v classic is a derivitive of those engines as you are probably aware, epecially the 136 aluminium headed unit in the Favorit. They are a really robust unit only let down by head/gasket problems - which wasn't completely solved with intoduced in the Felicia and higher capacity Fabia. The 1.4 8v unit has now or about to be replaced by the 3cyl 1.2 unit, a more powerful 12v version of this 3cyl will be introduced bringing the power back up to the 4cyl 8v I understand. Thats probably why there are some good geals on 1.4 8v silverlines at the moment. I also have a 1.3 mpi powered Felicia and am a great fan of the original skoda unit it amases me the difference the ECU injection control made to the engine.

My son trades his 2000 Felicia Classic in tomorrow for a 1.4 16V 2000 Elagance Fabia in dynamic blue so undoutably he or I will be asking Fabia questions. His first mod will be to change the radio cassette 402 to his sony unit without spoiling the dash, I dont think the standard head unit can control a cd changer - unlike the later models with a 502 unit he's investigating the options.

John

His first mod will be to change the radio cassette to his sony unit without spoiling the dash, I dont think the standard head unit can control a cd changer - unlike the later models with a 405 unit he's investigating the options.

[/quote:889cd86a18]

I did ask about this in a dealer's when I was toying with the idea of getting

a Fabia rather than an Octavia - think when you order a new Fabia you

need to pay for an upgraded unit which can control the CD unit, which is

another 60 quid or so. Then you need to pay for a multichanger, which

is pretty pricey too.

The dealer said they just tended to fit single-slot aftermarket ones for

people who wanted them...

Rob.

Thanks for all the replies - great stuff. I sure will take it carefully when it comes to getting those trim panels off then - it looks like the front door panels have screws, but the rear ones don't (having done a little investigation). Still investigating the sills and pillars. The instructions draw reference to a "central control unit" as well - is this near the fuse box (end of the dashboard by the driver!)?

There wasn't a remote control with the kit - it will just work with the keys in the front doors.

My son trades his 2000 Felicia Classic in tomorrow for a 1.4 16V 2000 Elagance Fabia in dynamic blue so undoutably he or I will be asking Fabia questions. His first mod will be to change the radio cassette to his sony unit without spoiling the dash, I dont think the standard head unit can control a cd changer - unlike the later models with a 405 unit he's investigating the options.

[/quote:26a2576826]

Yes, the standard 402 stereo gives only 4 x 20 watts and a CD changer upgrade to the 502 costs

Thanks for all the replies - great stuff. I sure will take it carefully when it comes to getting those trim panels off then - it looks like the front door panels have screws, but the rear ones don't (having done a little investigation). Still investigating the sills and pillars. The instructions draw reference to a "central control unit" as well - is this near the fuse box (end of the dashboard by the driver!)?

There wasn't a remote control with the kit - it will just work with the keys in the front doors.[/quote:0af92a70e6]

I would assume it to be located near the fuse box. Cant really help you with this, sorry.

Lets just hope its not buried deep in the heart of the dash...

My son trades his 2000 Felicia Classic in tomorrow for a 1.4 16V 2000 Elagance Fabia in dynamic blue so undoutably he or I will be asking Fabia questions. His first mod will be to change the radio cassette to his sony unit without spoiling the dash, I dont think the standard head unit can control a cd changer - unlike the later models with a 405 unit he's investigating the options.

[/quote:428736174d]

Yes, the standard 402 stereo gives only 4 x 20 watts and a CD changer upgrade to the 502 costs

Thanks I meant 502 dont know why I typed 405 new it had a 5 in it :roll: if you get chance wouldn't mind a picure posting of the dash with the cd unit, I have found a site that has OE Skoda multichangers/compatable with the 502 should he chose that route

http://www.incardiscount.co.uk/acatalog/SKODA.html

prices seem good. They also have the FP-20-00 Facia Adaptor

Skoda Fabia - Mar 2000 - Onwards Price:

Are you sure you cant tempt your son with a tdi?

Sorry for high jacking the thread :

I believe the 1.9TDI Fabia is a cracking car however he's 20 and the mention of a Turbo to his insurer lights there eyes up with