When I wanted to go out in my 53 plate Fabia VRS the other day I noticed the remote key for the central locking did not work. Flat battery in the key I thought so put the key in the door and got in. I was then suprised to find that all the dash lights were already lite and had been on all night. I put the key in and started the engine everthing was now fine until I turned and removed the key to turn off the engine. The engine was still running with the key in my hand. The engine had to be stalled to stop it and the lite dash lights were back. I later found out from the guy next door that the alarm sounded during the night a few times. I have now replaced the battery in the key and the ignition switch but this has not cured the problem. I'm now waiting for skoda to get me a new key and barrel as we think the S contact in the barrel has failed. Has anbody else had a problem like this and what was the cure.

Cheers for any help and advice

Carl

You can test the S contact by removing the key with the radio turned on. if it is working the radio will switch off when the key is removed, also the interior light should come on.