My wifes skoda fabia rear passenger door will not open.

Central locking works, but the latch will not come up.

The only way to get the latch up is to use the door handle inside the car, but still the door will not open, but when the handle is released the latch goes back down with it.

tried opening the window and using both internal and external door handles.

Is there anything else anyone can think of trying, before I attempt to take the door panels off and seeing if there is anything obvious.

Looks like you've tried all you can. Sounds like door panel off, a potentially tricky task
if the door won't open

get someone from the outside to press the door in to the seal as you try and open it... worked a ttreat on my old 306

Dan - i did kind of try that when I had the window open so i could still get my hands into the car...

Sounds like door panel is coming off.. oh well another thing to delay by build...

It could be the Bowden cable from the latch mech to the outer handle has stretched slightly.

Pul the outer handle and you will just be able to see the plastic clip for the cable in the back of the handle (between the handle and lock cover) pry it out and let it slip back one notch on the handle (it will make sense when your looking at it)

This may work. It's what happens when a door panel is removed (needing the Bowden cable to be uncliped) but when put back together the cable is pulled too tight before clipping it back, there should be the slightest bit of slack.

Ring the Skoda parts department and ask them to price and part number the door latch. If it starts 1J0, it is the typical Golf Mk4 problem and will probably need a new one.

This brilliant thread explains everything.


As for getting the door open (ex VW bodyshop fitter!), you need to get the pins to make contact so repeated rattling of the inner and outer handles usually gets it open.