So today I had a stab at installing my remote locking. 6 cables - that's all, how had can it be? Easy - if you can get to the relavant cables in the car!! 2 indicators, 2 to the existing central locking, earth & 12V live. So I tried to remove the lower dash (ie under the steering wheel) and damn it's difficult. According to my Haynes manual, you have to remove most of the surrounding bits first. Erk! So...does anyone know any good electricians around or near Bath who could possibly do it for a sum of money?

Also while I'm here, that blinkin' Engine Management light came on again. Sometimes it's on and others it's off. Why is it so random?

Thanks!!

Jon

Brake switch

Some info on removing the lower panel here Fabia-vrs.com - Cruise Control Retrofit Guide

There is now a central locking guide here - http://www.briskoda.net/forums/technical-guides/fabia-central-locking-kit-retro-fit-guide/81916/ which may help.

Etos: What do you mean Brake Switch? You're saying the light's coming on because of the brake switch?

VRStu: Clearly you're a Skoda Daddy! Can I borrow your brain for a few days please? Seriously though - your guide is brilliant - however, I'm *really* nervous about the prospect of removing the airbag. Is there no other way to get to the underside of the wheel?

Thanks

Jon

I'm *really* nervous about the prospect of removing the airbag. Is there no other way to get to the underside of the wheel?

Thanks

Jon

Where are you trying to get to? Do you need the steering wheel off?

All I'm trying to do is to install 6 wires to get my remote locking kit to work. I bought a Haynes, but it never tells you where the certain electrical boxes are in the car. The only reason I want to remove the underside of the dash it to try and find some cables I can connect the remote locking into. I need to get to the indicators, somewhere I can take 12V from (constant), earth and a feed into the existing central locking. If there's somewhere else I can go then great!! Any ideas Stu? (Thanks for your help).

Jon

You don't need the steering wheel of then - Unless you want to tap into the indicator stalk directly.

Can you post up a scan of your instructions?

Okay, the first image shows where I'm having a problem with the dashboard. A bit of it just won't come loose and I'm sure there's probably a screw where it won't move. I don't need to change my stalk though - just take this bit off!

As for the central locking:

Basically these are the instructions.

So as far as I'm aware, I need to find:

A Black/Green cable to connect to indicator 1

A Black/White cable to connect to indicator 2

A Yellow/Blue wire to connect to the 2 central locking wires

A Black to go to an earthing point, and finally

A Red to go to the 12v constant supply.

I know you probably think I'm being stupid as the instructions actually give me basic locations.

It says Car Lock position to A-Pillar, in wiring harness coming from drivers door white plug pin5 at the wiring harness to the drivers door.

For indicators to turn signal switch in wiring harness left going to rear or direct at rear lights. Wires to the rear A-column or steering column.

I'm slightly new to this car so what's the A-column and the A-Pillar. So confusing :confused:

Again, thanks for this Stu.

Ok to answer tyour first question about the trim.

Lower the steering wheel to it's lowest point, grip each side of the trim below the dash clocks and pull it hard towards you. You'll find the elusive screw under there.

It's described about half way down the guide - Fabia-vrs.com - Cruise Control Retrofit Guide

It looks to me like they are telling you to find pin 5 in a white plug in the A pillar on the harness coming from the drivers door. Probably near the bonnet pull I would think but you ought to be able to follow it from the rubber flexi in the door hinge area. To this you want to connect the White and the White/Black with 180ohm resistor.

Next is the turn signals, this looks a bit more tricky and unclear, as I can't see any wires to connect to. If you find the wires on the unit then it looks like you are in luck as I think I have found where to connect them. Plug XS6 which should be on the black control unit under the knee panel, pin 10 is Black/White and pin 12 is Black/Green.

The Black, Yellow/Black and Yellow all seem to go to ground. The red is obviously permanant live which if I were you I would take from a spare fuse.

Thanks! I will spend the next few days, (once I've bought a suitbale resistor), trying to get it all working. I'll take photos all the way through and make a guide of it all when it's finished and working...touch wood.

What exactly is A-Pillar and A-Column? Oh and where's a good place to earth around the steering wheel?

For the earth a simple crimped ring tongue under one of the screws connected to something metal. The ones that retain the fuse box work ideal.

In terms of the pillars - Imagine the car is the first few letters of the alphabet - the first pillar (Windscreen) is the A, between drivers and rear door B etc, etc.

Oh and while you are spending the next few days trying to get it working think about getting hold of

As soon as I'm paid (ie in 3 weeks), I'll be all over Freedom like a rash! For now it's not quite viable, I just maxed my one card on the Skoda. I'm looking forward to becoming a member though

You might have problems getting the headlamp switch out to drop the knee panel completely. Stu's instructions also include how to do this but I really struggled and then gave up - perhaps I wasn't brave enough.

Cheers Davy B I'll bear that in mind! I'm more likely to give it a good yank though. I just installed a subwoofer into the rear of the car - and it works! I feel so good for it!!

Heeeeeeeeeeeeelp!! Okay, yesterday I spent ages trying to get it working. My car's in the garage in pieces and I only have 5 hairs left on my head.

I can't get it working. This is where I've got (I can post photos if it helps).

I've got 4/7 cables in and working. They are

- Live (wired in and working ok

- Earth (wired in and working ok)

- 2x Indicators (wired in and working ok)

The ones that aren't working are of course the ones that fit into the existing central locking. As in the scanned diagram above there are 2.

- White -> Close

- White/Black (+180ohm resistor) -> Open

Apparently these are to be wired into a Yellow/Blue wire. On opening the drivers door, I pulled back the rubber flexi and pushed a cable from the central locking receiver thru the A-Pillar and connected it on the door side directly into the Yellow/Blue wire.

It doesn't work!! Any ideas??? :(

Oh and the 7th cable is a green one which should be attached to a window negative signal (provides 20 second output to close all windows). I have no idea where to put this one either!!

I see the main ECU but I can't see the convenience control unit, where might that be?

The CDL ECU is above the clutch pedal.

I give up! 10 hours of pain and I can't link the box into my existing central locking. Booga it!