Hi there

My basic skoda fabia (about 4 years old) is no longer starting. Unusually, the immobiliser light is permenently on. When the key is inserted and turned, none of the usual lights come on - in fact the immobiliser light goes out too. The engine starts only for a milisecond and then cuts out. No lights work, even the hazards. AA came out and checked the fuses and took dashboard out - they think there's an elec fault but as they didn't have wiring diagrams, suggested going to dealer. Also had RAC out (don't ask) - they just looked at the dash and said it probably needed a new 'dashboard'.

Any ideas and any recommendations for garages in North West London, near Hampstead?

Many thanks

JC

Could be a dodgy dash panel. This is not just a driver information display it also contains the immobiliser and I think acts as a communications gateway for all the other control units. Your best bet is to get it to a Skoda dealer as any work that involves replacing the dash panel requires a Secret Key Code (SKC) which the dealers used to be able to get with the correct supplied information, now it is done online and they don't even see it. If using a used panel you will also need the code for the donor vehicle. The SKC should be on the plastic tag with the keys when the car was new. Dash panels I think are in the region of £400. Don't take what the breakdown services say as gospel, I have known them to be way off the mark on more than one occasion. It is possible that the £10 X relay could be at fault.

Not strictly a reply more a question for Fordfan. I too have a similar problem with a 1.9SDI Fabia (2001/51) which fails to start and displays all the syptoms of a flat battery. Replaced battery, cleaned and replaced main earth lead, had it to dealer where it behaved perfectly! What is the X relay?

Thanks in anticipation (and save me from the wrath of my wife who drives the ****Ing thing) Dan