Skoda Fabia wont move: advice please

ollym_3

Hi there

I have a Skoda Fabia 1.2 with registration number RX03 (out of warranty)

It is parked in underground parking. The other day I tried to start it and the ABS / Powersteering and Airbag lights all came on. The powersteering isn't working and I'm not actually strong enough to turn the wheel without it (I can just about do it but the underground parking doesn't really allow for much room for it!)

I don't know what to do - I called my local repair centre who want to charge me to have someone pick it up - costing £55 - to get a quote. I'm assuming it would then cost another £55 to take it back if they cannot repair on the same day and then another £55 to take it back again?!

I don't even think another car could pick up my car from where it is because the underground parking is so poorly laid out - there is barely room to manoever. I don't know what to do now and feel like just forgetting about it as I ahve no other ideas.. and using the trains more (God no!)

Any advice on where to start?

Bossyboots

All the instructions in my handbook say call out a skoda dealer for these faults. Are you in the AA? They were brilliant when mine stopped working the other day and they carry the diagnostic computer so you would at least get to find out what is wrong.

Is it ticking over or do you get nothing at all. Could your battery be too flat to get it to start?

To be honest, the Skoda dealers around here are really good at giving advice. Get the telephone number of one and ring them and ask them. They may be familiar with this problem with a car that has been sitting and be able to help you.

K9cuddles

What about a mobile mechanic?

piggeh

sounds similar to this..

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/abs-power-steering-problem/66393/

Or just ask in there yourself.

mikey-mike_2

does it actually start & move?

ollym_3

It does start up and can move but the wheel is so stiff I cannot turn it. I'm not that weak so it confuses me. As well as that, as I say, I'm in undeground parking where there are pillars EVERYWHERE... so without power steering I can't really drive it out...

Not a member of AA etc.. many people have said to join and call them out a week later... any thoughts on that?

mikey-mike_2

Sounds electrical, as all the faults appeared at the same time it’s likely to be a common cause ie one thing has gone wrong which is making all the lights come on

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/knackered-alternator-something-else/66599/

suggests alternator but steering pump and electrical items generally look a bit flaky on this car.

I’d be tempted to get someone with strong arms to drive it somewhere where they can read the codes from the ecu. This should give a reasonable idea of what is wrong

jago25_98

I second the strong arms thing. I can drive my 1.9 diesel without the power steering so someone should be able to do it on a 1.2. Pick a quiet time if you do.

Another thing is breakdown cover, it would be thier problem, explain in advance the area. There are also local breakdown companies that large services use, they will take it to a garage for a fee.

piggeh

If you get breakdown cover, you usually have a 48 hour period on starting where you cant call them out. So you'd have to wait a couple of days.

My first car I had breakdown cover and it broke down in the first week (exhaust fell off) and they were fine with coming out, so I guess it's an option if you're willing to leave it till the end of the week.

It's worth sorting anyway.

Maybe get someone else to try and turn the wheel.

TBH though I reckon breakdown cover is the way to go as they could then (maybe!) pick you up for a follow-on pick up if the first garage cant sort the problem out.

ollym_3

Hi there

Managed to get it to the garage after one of the scariest drives of my lofe - lights coming on off / NO power steering (and the dealer said it's harder to turn the wheel of a car with failed power steering than a normal wheel) / incessantly beeping dashboard / windscreen wipers going on off / no indicators / unable to open windows to talk to people / no speed / rev counter and it was getting dark!

Just spoke to the garage. Something has gone wrong with the alternator. It's going to be £290 including labour to fix so I've said go ahead...some of you got it spot on.. is this good value?

Why does an alternator fail - is 3 and a half years a long time.

I'm six months out of warranty - would anyone try and get it under warranty.. or would that be insane?

suggests alternator but steering pump and electrical items generally look a bit flaky on this car.

Is this a common problem with Skoda...?

mikey-mike_2

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/knackered-alternator-something-else/66599/

The site above is probably a good starting point, get an idea of the frequency of failure and then try a letter to skoda

3 years is a short time for it to last, mine (audi) is 7 years and 180k miles old.

You will have to persevere with Skoda, it took me 6 phone calls to get Vauxhall to pay 3k to repair my kid sisters 02 car which wreaked its engine due to a well known manufacturing defect

A full dealer service history is a good starting point

Good luck