Skoda Fabia Boot Wont Open! *Fixed*

[@mundomike7242]

Thank you for this video. I bought a lock mechanism off ebay for £20 and fitted it in 15 minutes. You saved me a lot of money & taught me how to fix a problem

[@BenHuggett]

Hatchback VAG cars seem to fairly consistently have boot latch issues. At the end of the day they all use more or less the same mechanism. People seem to reckon the issue lies in the way that the rear washer jet feed sits, and having replaced a few now, I'd be inclined to agree.. As the car ages and the rubber decays it washer fluid slowly drips down onto the latch inside the boot and either shorts it out, or corrodes it. My A3 is just in the process of going through its second latch during my time of ownership. Thankfully as you say the parts are cheap and the job is easy enough. Getting the rear wiper off on the other hand is always a bit of a bugger. It might be worth checking whether Sue's wiper is dripping on the inside if you get a chance! Keep up the good work! PS: I don't think German cars otherwise have huge electrical issues. Obviously there will be the odd few, but they seem pretty decent overall!

[@anthonynewcome128]

my A4 has no rear washer or wiper, all the issue is the grease dries up, very simple repair, no parts needed, lazy stealerships are not allowed to fix parts unfortunately

[@BenHuggett]

@@anthonynewcome128 that's what I normally do when the issue first crops up. There's actually a video on my channel telling people to do exactly that. But it's sadly not a permanent fix. After a while the latch does pack in. It's a silly bit of design. But like I say, the parts are cheap as anything!

[@donaldasayers]

Owned a Fabia for years and I never knew that trick with the boot lid. That car never ever let me down. A little exploration shows that the Yeti has the same boot lid over ride.

[@peter3867]

Yes it is common the door lock problems. Also window regulators. Btw the fuse box lid trim has a nice handy little fuse puller in it - much better than pliars!

[@jannavratil9846]

thank you very much! I just fixed our car today and didnt need to pay extra for a service guy. THANK YOU!!!

[@ashleyburnett134]

It is very common for vw Audi Skoda and seat to have problems with door and boot locks. And window regulators. See it at work all the time. I actually did my uncles 2007 Audi A4 window regulator and that just went again recently. I like watching your videos keep them up! 👍🏽

[@Logicalx]

James - The MK1 Octavia's, MK4 Golf (and the rest of the platforms) are bloody terrible for their door locks. The main issue are the wires between the pillars as they frey over time, or the whole module fails. I've repaired a few. And only recently fixed my passenger door which was deadlocked. That means ripping the doorcard off and cutting into the motor to whind back the deadlock. Not fun! But it can be fixed within an hour half/2 hours.

[@athanrisofficial1996]

Hey mate, yeah in the VW Group (SEAT, VW, AUDI, SKODA) the boot latch is commom issue . I have done many of these. Keep doing awesome projects........

[@RupertCox1966]

Thank you for this - as a resut of watching your video I have managed to fix the tailgate lock of my wife's Citigo. The only real difference is the torx bolts are different. Took me 20 minutes to fix and only cost £14 plus my time as opposed to the £122 that a local garage quoted to do the job. Happy days!!

[@elliotgreatrix7313]

hi, I also have same issue with the Skoda Citigo. Im struggling to find what the correct size/type of screwdrivers to get. I can see there's a torx holding the trim, but then the 2 bolts holding the boot latch in are different. They have 12 "indents" instead of the torx's 6. What size/type of screwdriver did you use to undo these? Thanks

[@clockwork2839]

Good video James, From an electronics engineer point of view, check the voltage where you expect it first and then work backwards. Eg, cigarette lighter has voltage, that proves that the wiring and fuses are all working so check external sources first and then go back from there.

[@drbravo]

or in the case of a removable peripheral like this one, try plugging it in in another car.

[@PiersSmith-y4w]

Excellent, no frills run through for a simple DIY fix. Thanks

[@steve0680657]

The copper contact in the bottom of cigarette sockets corrodes. Wrap a piece of sandpaper around a pencil ✏ (rubber end) and sand up the copper contact. Then use your finger to rub some Vaseline or grease on it to stop it corroding again. I bet that will solve your problem (made my usb charger work perfectly after months of trouble).

[@thebanditsix]

If Sue ever kidnaps me and lock's me in the boot I now know thanks to this video how to escape, assuming I have a screwdriver.

[@69Phuket]

What's that dirty great big handle at 02:39 ? Release or baby paraphernalia?

[@davyarthurs]

@@69Phukethandle to pull boot hatch closed

[@roberthickey1465]

I have a 1999.5 mk4 VW jetta, built in Mexico. I have repaired 3 of the 4 door lock modules where the micro switch goes bad and the car doesn't know if the door is closed or not. I have also done one door (and soon the right side) on my friends wife's 2007 Beetle ... same problem

[@Georg1979]

Yep. Door lock problems are a common VW issue. I have a Skoda Fabia mkI Estate myself and my locks are working for the moment. But I already downloaded the videos to prepare myself for the inevitable.:) Aside from that, these are great little cars. They are cheap. Which means they go bad from time to time. But at least they are cheap and relatively easy to fix. Plus I don't really need more to nip around in town.

[@Kralnor]

Thanks for showing how to unlock the boot via manual hatch. Saved me a headache!

[@redabouaoud615]

You saved a trip to the garage and a lot of money. Many thanks

[@megapangolin1093]

Interesting video, good to see how todays cars are put together. Thank you, very clear and helpful. The lady in question must be a good, sensible, intelligent girl to drive a car like a Fabia estate. Credit to her.

[@mathy210]

Yes I've got audi a6 2003 and had to change three door locks in 2years I'm thinking it's the Chinese motors tht they use I could be wrong ...keep up they good work oh yer wht is your main job you do for a living..👍👍👍

[@0Foxhound]

Hi man!! Just an hint.. when you are changing fuses or need to replace one on the plastic trim there's a plastic tweezer that i find quite helpfull!! just an idea.. Great work, I'm sure you friend will love it!!

[@TheSavageGarage]

Bruno Marú yea I don’t like using them, fiddley little bugger

[@MrHarry497]

Volkswagen fox. Very similar to the Fabias and polo 9ns have alot of broken manual book locks. Happens around the 80k mark usually.

[@aitorf]

Thank you for your help mate. I fixed my fabia because of that video👍

[@JohnnyPaton]

I’ve got a 2015 Octavia. I’ve had to change the fuel filler cap mechanism and on older ones the doors constantly stopped opening. They also have the dustiest engines ever. Mines has to get an engine bay hoover every couple of weeks. After 137k miles though and absolutely no major repairs I’m pretty happy with it.

[@michaellavery4899]

That's a lot of miles for the year. Are you a taxi driver? My old (slow) Octavia SDI was still going at 250,000 when I sold it. Slow but bullet proof.

[@skodakatie7341]

I do love to see a Škoda on your channel!!, well done!, a nice easy fix, for a beautiful example of a second generation facelift Fabia combi in oh so gorgeous corrida red!, I’ve owned Škoda’s for many years and have not heard of door lock mechanisms having a tendency to malfunction, certainly I haven’t had that issue on any of my cars, nor have I heard of any other Škoda Owners Club members have this problem.

[@Bill131087]

Had this problem on my Skoda Roomster.

[@Spencewatts51]

Great video James. I have had issues with door microswitches on both my audi a3.s and a seat leon rear door issue.so fairly common.

[@daningram7309]

Nice video mate. I love it when you can do a job for someone and save them a bit of cash. Nice one mate 👍👍

[@MrZimmaframe]

When it comes to antifreeze/coolant for VAG cars they tend to be quite picky with the type of coolant to use, it's usually recommended to use VW G13 as it will prolong your water pump. Generic stuff can have a reaction with some of the materials used in the cooling system. It was very good of you to check all of Sue's car fluid though.

[@nicholasroberts6954]

In the MK 1 Fab saloon, there's also a lever on the offside of the driver's seat which releases the boot catch. There are, in fact two levers for this location - the other one operates the fuel filler door.

[@LEK7686]

VAG's in general up until 2012 are notorious for these kind of issues (I've no experience so far with VAG's from this point onwards), most noticeable with the MK4 Golf and others across the range from this VAG era - door locks, boot locks and windows. The Golf MK5 / MK6 were improved but some still suffered and in particular with the bonnet release mechanism where if the bonnet hadn't been opened for sometime, the mechanism would seize and cause the cable that leads to the handle to split from the joint - that or you were able to get it open, it would not catch when trying to close it.

[@qam2878]

my family has a mk5 golf which has the bonnet issue where it wouldn't shut, my solution is to move the handle in and out and slam the bonnet

[@matthewgreen2622]

I love his little hat and his gloves, and this was good info I think he is great, keep them coming.

[@dvrify1]

The driver's door lock mechanism in my Golf 6 2010 is a bit moody at times, as well. Checked it with a diagnostic software - throws an error code. But still works most of the time, so I'll let it be for now. The Start-stop system also shows error codes, but the ignition still works, so it doesn't bother me too much.

[@megapangolin1093]

If you press the cigarette lighter in, it should heat up, proving that it works. It used to in the old days, I wonder if it still actually works as a cigarette lighter these days? My Roomster boot lock catches sometimes, and takes a while to get it open. I am concerned that it is going to go sometime. Thanks for the tip about the screwdriver hole. I will try that today.

[@Scorpio982]

In my 2008 roomster just yesterday stopped open. I try the tip but no luck I couldn't even feel that I catch something to open. Unfortunately I have to visit dealer

[@ashleygriffiths441]

German cars do have a common issue with there door locks and latches...my mk4 golf had issues with the back doors... Nightmare. Another great video mate, I enjoy watching your channel...👍

[@paulstanyer9725]

James - Fabia bonnet release to the left of the passenger footwell is pulled to open. But sometimes, it then needs to be pushed back afterwards, otherwise bonnet won't latch.

[@cmartin_ok]

You need a "long neck" USB charger for use on VAG cars, my daughter had the same issue. Worked OK in her older Ford Fiesta but not on a 3 year old A1. Dealer tipped us off about this

[@coolkittgt500]

As the owner of 4 VW's i can say that boot and door lock mechanisms are common faults. I've replaced 3 boot mechanisms and 4 door mechanisms. Also from when i owned a bmw i know certain 12v sockets are different and not all the plugs fit them all, One worked in all the VW's that i've owned perfectly but wouldn't work at all in my bmw but some others did and the cigarette lighter worked.

[@chemaroman329]

Thnx man, superb work. No gimmicks.

[@chrismcgowan5180]

What was her percentage saving, i.e fixing the boot at dealer vs you?

[@Stonecrow99]

He might have done it free as a friend plus he gets to make a vid and earn back that way, either that or he just said pay for the parts so £35 maybe

[@user-sl8gg2zk3g]

Yeah, I think he's curious as to how much the dealer would charge for the same job. Thus highlighting the point that if you even take on simple diy repairs you can save a lot of money and gain expertise

[@Stonecrow99]

smith yea true, well when I had to get a new front part for my focus, only ford had the part at the time, rare parts on ebay, but ford charged 200 for one unpainted and primed etc, waited a while and one came up on ebay all ready to go for 25..

[@chrismcgowan5180]

@@Stonecrow99 Yes but the peace of mind you get from a job done by a professional is invaluable. you couldn't possibly fit a part like a professional, in future you should pay the price quoted by the dealer without any second thought.

[@JohnnyPaton]

Skoda wanted £238 PER SIDE for front shock absorbers on my Octavia. I sourced Febi Bilstein shocks on eBay for £50 each and my mechanic took £100 to fit them.

[@geoffhanbury4978]

Great help today. My Skoda Roomster boot locked on me. New part ordered from ebay. Many thanks.

[@stef2198]

The locks on VAG group cars are terrible! the number i have done is incredible, its always good fun getting into the door when its closed and locked solid.

[@1990themule]

Why do you still use manual hand tools when you have electric gun ratchet etc? Just curious as I use them at work as a time saver and even when I’m at home I’ll still use them. Also for future reference if you or no one else is aware, if you’re doing a latch job rather than shutting it to test it you can manually latch it with the door/boot open and unlock it with the key or button whilst it’s open. Just saves any potential issues if the latch isn’t the issue and you’ve locked it and can’t get it open again

[@shemmo]

bcs he wants to work out while repairing cars :)

[@i-love-zombiesstrange8458]

Great vid as always James yours are still the best car vids keep up the good work. Good to see another different car I do like the skoda fabia nice small car

[@lewishill64]

My girlfriends mums Passat had all the latches fail, a garage charged her 1400 for four door and a boot latch. I was on holiday at the time 🤦‍♂️ Great informative video. Just one thing to keep in mind, mixing some washer fluids can make them congeal and block the pump, pipes and nozzles. Keep up the good work bud.

[@kieranyarwood95]

My Ibiza estate (same age and mostly the same underneath as this Fabia) had the microswitch inside the switch assembly (behind the badge on a Seat) stop working. Was difficult to get apart, but managed eventually. I keep forgetting to buy a new microswitch, been using 2 wires crimped around the old pins off of the old microswitch for months now! To buy a new switch assembly was quite expensive for what it was. My latch assembly was stiff and I freed it up a lot by cleaning and greasing it, before I realised the switch was the problem on mine. Was the latch on this Fabia not fixable just by doing that?

[@GEMC98]

Volkswagen has issues with Door Latches and Boot Latches pretty much since the Golf Mk4 (ca. 1998)

[@VeyronBD]

Same thing happened with my mums SEAT. It has a full handle that you lift but it still has electronics instead of a proper latch. My old vauxhall astra had an electronic latch too and would randomly just not work. They really are a dumb idea.

[@peacockealot]

GEMC yep all three of the Golfs I’ve owned over the years have had the boot latch issues. My Passat and my current superb touch wood have been ok🤞

[@tonyl1984]

Where was the long extension ratcheting screwdriver purchased from? Wouldn't mind one myself for my daily job!

[@omerabuzaid8092]

It's wonderful. Just I have qusestion. Why not to fix the lock instead of replaced? Is there any way to fix the locker? Thanks for this.

[@JunkYard_rest]

it's very popular my ford mondeo mk3 with german electrics and is a vw under the ford body and the rear passenger door central locking has failed it works but after you have unlocked the car you have to open from inside what could it be ?

[@smartfalcon8116]

Can you advise me please. Both my boot stop opening and my number plates lights? All was working fine . Thanks.

[@rondo122]

keep up the good work, James! great channel

[@adrianhosein7698]

Yep, VW products have a lot of latch/lock/door handle issues, expect to change door handles also.

[@SYDiagnostics]

door locks and tailgate locks seem common on the VAG range.....done a video on an Ibiza door lock myself

[@petargavran7636]

Thanks man... big HY from bosnia and herzegovina...

[@JemHawkes]

Thank you ever so much for a brilliant video. I can absolutely do this based on your tuition. Cheers!

[@peacockealot]

A word of advise don’t mix your “pink” coolant with the VAG stuff. The VAG stuff is G12 as indicated on the expansion tank and is specifically formulated for their engines which I believe have aluminium heads. It’s not normally that expensive from the main dealers or TPS where I get mines.

[@valentinmarkulj7777]

G12 is pink right?

[@vxmac350]

Passat used to get water in passenger footwell and all the body electrics would get wet as they were under the carpet. This caused central locking faults and alarm faults.

[@mohammudbriman1179]

can i ask how to replace the switch ( you pressed it in the time1:22 of the vedio how to take it off

[@eugeneocarroll6130]

Good Morning, who did you use online to purchase the replacement lock, cheers ta...

[@jonathanhughes8326]

German cars electrics are awful mate use to have a mk4 golf had problems with windows and doors my rear door only opened when it felt like

[@LEK7686]

Same with my old MK4 mate, when I took ownership of it both rear door locks and the boot lock had seized. The boot lock however with the key in the lock just needed a few simple light taps with the hammer as the key hole itself had just partially seized preventing the key from going all the way in (plenty of WD40 too), all sorted out and working again within 5 mins. Both rear doors though needed new mechanisms to get working again... but an utter bugger to sort out as I had to fight my way in from the inside to get the door cards off. MK5 Golf's were improved and my old one just needed the drivers side door lock mechanism replacing. The main common fault with these is the bonnet catch (and the MK6 too).

[@Adamwarren27]

Why have I never had a problem with my car then? Or is it getting ready for a big problem? 2006 Skoda fabia can’t wait for the big problem then

[@jonathanhughes8326]

Adam warren famous last words them lol hope u touch wood before saying that 😂

[@sebastianhinchliffe3954]

Jonathan Hughes peugeots are worse, trust me

[@Adamwarren27]

Jonathan Hughes I’m sure I’ll be fine 😉😉

[@tigermoth3194]

My wife has got a 2009 Fabia Sport and the 12v socket (Cig lighter) stopped working recently. The 'tangs' inside the metal housing had been pushed flat over time so USB socket was a sloppy fit and the connection was none existent. I pulled the tangs back out with a screwdriver and all is working well again now. The boot locks often fail on VAG cars due to the rear wiper/washer motor leaking fluid and frying the electrics on the boot lock (this happened on my 2009 Octavia VRS.....TWICE)

[@andrewchurchley5705]

For your possible interest my Skoda Superb has the split tailgate arrangement, with the separate boot flap. In cold weather, the flap lock clicks when operated normally from the key, but the lid only goes up a fraction, remaining "half locked" I have to do it a second time, with my hand pulling up the lid, which then releases. The "spring mechanism" which should raise it completely the first time, is I believe, separate from the tailgate gas struts. I've not been into the mechanism yet and wondered whether anyone knows if the spring force is adjustable, since increasing the upward opening force a little, should cure the problem. Any advice appreciated a bunch.

[@benjamindavies1188]

I have always found the the VW automotive group vehicles seam to be the worst when it comes to the reliability of door locks and mechanisms.

[@qwertyqwrtyqwertyuio]

My 2004 Skoda Fabia estate has an issue with the rear boot catch. It wont open sometimes. It sounds like its engaging in the lock mechanism itself but just stops as if its siezed. It does eventually open with enough tries.

[@VSTV1993]

My dad had a ford mondeo 1999 which had lock issues. He had the n/s rear door one replaced and then 3 months later the o/s rear door decided to pack in. I used to set the alarm off all the time as when it was locked you could still open the rear doors and he used too get pissed 😂

[@brummiescot]

Best way to check a fuse is in situ. You can do a continuity test using the exposed parts on the back of the fuse

[@diydave3034]

Good video. I know of 2 Up! and 1 Mii with failed boot door button switch failures (ie not the latch) - the switch unit kinda falls apart inside the boot door if the boot door is slammed too many times. Not good. New VW part is £60 and fairly easy to fit tho'.

[@manuwebmb]

Had exactly the same problem with my Fabia 2002 they charged me £250!!!! Pounds at kwik fit, NEVER TOOK the car back to them

[@horlixs]

Hi, yeah pretty common. I had a BMW 320 CI convertable and had a lock issue. Would lock but struggled to unlock. Then had a VW Golf MK 4 lock issue on a rear door, my current car Is a Golf MK 5. Door locks seem ok but 3 of the 4 doors throw up a fault something about a locking save motor fault. I have ignored it though as it all locks unlocks ok. So yeah German cars are great but def locking issues.

[@1.9tdilove71]

Hey bro Same problem with mk1 2007 Skoda Octavia rider 1.9tdi diesel. Boot got jammed. What is the cost of boot catch? Thank you

[@fatimaashraf6069]

Hi yes I have a Skoda fabia and have the same problem with the boot. Thanks for the great video.

[@paulaiton2598]

Great video but my astra gtc has the same problem but my manual release mechanism is broken so can't open the boot to fix it.. don't know what I'm gonna do

[@patrick103b]

I know it a common thing for vw locks to stick I used to work at a vw specialist garage and we did a few one we had to keep activating the lock while another person kept pulling the outside handle to get the door open before we could fit the new lock and I had to take the window and the regulator out to fit a proper pain

[@metalbear702]

Great video. Really informative. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@buiacgeorgealexandru]

I have the same issue, apparently I need the original looker from TPS . I bought 1 from eBay but it didn't work .

[@jayC2244]

hey buddy great show love it where did you get the ratchet screwdriver from that’s in this video thanks

[@simondavies1975]

mines an 02 reg golf - it has all of the electrical gremlins. sometimes the key locks all doors and sometimes just the drivers. sometimes the same key lets it start and sometimes it doesnt communicate with the security immobiliser properly and cuts out. the windows dont go down unless i use the convenience to put them down, sunroof doesnt work, temp gauge works sometimes.... i can carry on lol

[@paulyh4531]

Why didn't you use the fuse removal tool that was in the plastic cover rather than pliers 😊😉

[@donaldasayers]

Or the finger slot for opening the fuse box in the first place?

[@paulyh4531]

@@donaldasayers well he gotta uphold the savage theme 😉

[@Yorkie900]

My son has owned several Audi's and things like the window regulator's fail quite often. I think the problem lies with manufacturers sourcing out the smaller components (getting them on the cheap). Ive recently had my BMW off the road due to the egr cooler recall. Cheap parts originally from Korea apparently. A complete shambles with parts on order and cars off the road for weeks, shame on BMW.

[@elliotgreatrix7313]

This is great thank you! I have a Citigo and the bolts that hold the latch in are slightly different. They have 12 slots instead of 6. While hunting around for the correct size screwdriver to get, I have come across the term "Triple Square". Just wondering if anyone knew what size these would be. I have checked the user manual, and scoured the internet

[@adrianevans8803]

Locks are known to go mate on my mk4 golf the alarm would go off and it also used to put the boot open warning lamp on , swapped the boot lock out for a new one and it worked , apparently the micro switches go inside the lock

[@flobbyblobby]

Brilliant vid, exactly what I needed and we'll explained

[@onamission8397]

Iv an o6 plate fabia vrs the boot also won't open on it, the front windows are electric and now they won't go down so I'm not sure if these issues are related or not

[@simonoem606]

vorsprung durch technik not lol as stated by many german vehicles are not what they used to be

[@darkbyte2005]

Thank James, easy peasy when we a shown.. Great stuff

[@andyhoare4644]

Seems to be common on German cars, I had a mk5 golf both rear doors wouldn’t unlock and also had issues with an 07 fabia

[@kannanjayaraman6614]

My fabia co driver has door stucked....please advice how to open

[@cpennicook]

Great video my boot lock on my vag vw Passat on a 03 plate estate is starting to play up noticed in the comments it's though the vag range 😂

[@johnwinsor9481]

Will it be the same method for a 2020 Fabia TSI?

[@mumtazzafar1576]

You are inspirational my friend

[@Leatherkid01]

Thats odd that the garages in UK cant use used parts....my garage here in Canada, use used parts if i agree on it. 😀 Great vid.

[@brummiescot]

Some garages will fit second hand parts but it's at customers risk. If it's a main dealer they will only fit new parts due to warranty

[@Leatherkid01]

@@brummiescot Certainly, i was refering to non dealer shops 😀

[@guzu334]

I had two golfs mk5 both with central locking issues so yeah I think there is a thing on the german cars and their locking system.

[@colinhellewell]

I had a seat leon with exactly the same problem with the boot. You will see alot of seat and VW with floppy badges at the back were boot has gone

[@hello_w0rld144]

Have you repaired)replaced cigarette lighter in a Fabia Estate??

[@classicgamer4451]

I think its a common thing for CDL motors to go on most cars to be fair James just one of those things 🙂👍

[@MRPAD744]

MY 2006 SKODA OCTAVIA HAD THE BOOT LOCK REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT LESS THAN A YEAR OLD.

[@mikeprada1677]

VAG cars locks always go after a while...otherwise most things on them are pretty easy to change out and most share same parts and have similar layout so easyish to work on

[@thepologuy8751]

I think failing door/boot locks is just a sign of cars of that era being built to a budget. That's when they were all switching to plastic components instead of metal. It's also when they figured out there is money to be made in parts. VW parts prices skyrocketed overnight almost, hence why the quote from the garage will have been so high. BMW were still making good cars then and their parts prices are ok. But VW and Mercedes decided to build cars cheaper, charge you the same and then charge you extra when you come back for parts.

[@VeyronBD]

Its also to blame on just bad ideas, these parts only go bad because they decided to make them electronic and add about 20 new possible failure points a regular latch wouldn't have.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Best to stay away from cheap Chinese chargers. Even the car ones. Go for a brand make like Belkin. I used to have a cheapo one years ago and they were just a "Resistive Dropper", not a proper transformer. So it got really hot !. Now use Belkin ones in all our cars.

[@mikebevington997]

Good video, good instructions, thank you 👍

[@zippy814]

nice job pal.. i wish i lived near you .