In the last few weeks my 2001 Fabia seems to have gone a bit doolally.

When I get out of the car it doesnt buzz me if the lights are on. And this week I couldnt open my boot! I got back to my car from shopping, opened the front door, put my hand bag in the car, went round to the back and the boot wouldnt open. I stood there with piles of shopping bags, closed all the doors again, unlocked my front door went to the boot and still no joy. I then opened one of the back doors, went to the boot and yes, it opened.

Cant work out what the above means - is it some sort of electrical thing please?

On top of that at the same time - gawd, bad few weeks for Fabia, I am getting a sort of high pitch whistling sound from the engine.

Ive been to the main agent who said that the fault with the buzzer not working is a common one and will cost "hundreds of pounds" to fix as the whole dash board has to be replaced. As I left the mechanic said, Oh, if your indicators still make a clicking noise when you use them then thats a different fault.???? and wont cost so much (thankfully said indicators are still clicking).

Skoda main dealer quoted £200 for a service and so Im going to a local reputable garage who have quoted £128 inc. vat. But Id be grateful for any ideas on the above problems before I take it in next week please.

Another unrelated grouch - I lost one of my hub caps at Christmas. I ordered it through the main agent on 28 December and they still havent got it in!

And this week I couldnt open my boot! I got back to my car from shopping, opened the front door, put my hand bag in the car, went round to the back and the boot wouldnt open. I stood there with piles of shopping bags, closed all the doors again, unlocked my front door went to the boot and still no joy. I then opened one of the back doors, went to the boot and yes, it opened.

That's normal on mine, the boot won't open unless all doors are unlocked (press twice on the remote control)

Sounds like a problem with the central convenience module. Find someone with VAG-COM.

Hi Kwaka, I dont have remote Just central locking.

cib, sorry VAG-COM is that a diagnostic tool or something please?

When I came home today I went through same performance. Boot wouldnt open, opened one of the back doors and boot opened. And it struck me that it may be something to do with the driver door. That is, the buzzer not going when I open it and lights are still on and the boot not recognising the door is open so staying locked. Does that suggest anything to anyone who is au fait with the car please?

I have to go to the garage and though I quite trust this particular one as I went there before with a slipping clutch and the chap said If you are going to exchange it soon dont bother, if you are keeping it for a few months then have it done. So whilst they seem quite genuine when you are a woman alone you are never sure if they are. So Id like to have some idea before I go there.

There is a fuse that does the boot electronic release and the interior lights, this could be blown. We have wheel trims on order for customers as well.

Hi fordfan, well the interior lights are ok - having said that I noticed I had to turn it off yesterday as it didnt go off when I turned the ignition key?

It sounds like you might be onto something with the door switch. The boot is connected to this insofar as it won't open once the car has been driven unless the driver's door has been opened.

Does the inside light come on when you first open the driver's door?

Sounds like you've got a good local garage. Why not ask them to have a look at it when it goes for service?

Yes I will Dave Its just when the main agent quoted "several hundred pounds" to fix the fault plus £200 for the service I thought thats probably adding up to a quarter of the value of the 2001 car and made me shudder.

Ill ask the local garage to check for me. I did notice last night as I went to get out I wanted to get something from the glove compartment so closed the door quickly then opened it quickly and there was a feeble little buzz - lol -my lights were on. So Im feeling it is something to do with the door rather than anything else now.

Just to echo fordfan, my first port of call would be the releveant fuses, followed by a hard reset of the ECU (disconnect the battery overnight) You may need to recode the radio, but it'll be a lot cheaper than getting the dealer to do it...

Thanks. Just to mention Dave, you are correct, the inside light is not coming on when I open the front door, though it works manually. Can you tell me what that would indicate please - along with the boot and buzzer not working?

A faulty micro switch in the the door lock latch, the part that is in the door. Never had any luck trying to clean/lubricate them. Replacement latch is probably the cure, part is around £80, not particulary quick to fit as the door carrier will need to come out of the way.

Many thanks, at least its not a mega priced job as they first said at the main dealer.

Just been told by the mechanic that the fault IS in the door. He has advised me not to bother as its only a minor irritation.

I've a similar problem on and off for a while, although i have to use the boot catch by the drivers seat - sometimes it will open, sometimes it won't. you learn to live with it, although it does get irritating having to pop the catch when its hammering down and you've got a full load