[Auto_guy_101]

Originally Posted by KratosMr

and the cluster greeted me with an ABS warning. I have the habit of carrying VCDS along with some basic tools while traveling.

I didn't pull the trigger by purchasing online as they don't provide any type of warranty, since Skoda service is providing 2 years of warranty for the same.

You had a VCDS, carried it on trips and were familiar with using it, hence you knew which sensors were faulty. An SA once told me I should replace all 4 to remain worry free!
The 2 year warranty is something they never bothered to inform me about. I think I only got 1 year. But there are Bosch sensors good FnGs have that cost about 1200 a piece and are pretty decent.

Originally Posted by KratosMr

1. No matter how advanced, reliable the locking system is, never leave the key inside the car while going out.
2. In an unavoidable situation - getting off the car with the ignition on, lower a window as a backup.

Its quite controversial that on modern TD cars with keyless entry, the salesperson keeps the key in the center console (and go as far as suggesting there's a slot for keeping keys). The only advantage of keyless is the key never leaves your pocket - after all, aren't keys designed to sit in the pocket?

Based on a bad incident I once had, its also always best to turn off the vehicle and get out unless you have co-passengers, even if you're just getting out to open or close your gate.

Originally Posted by KratosMr

3. Always take time to check about the billed particulars.

Unfortunately, these are some of the lessons we learn the hard way from VW and Skoda ownership.

[KratosMr]

Originally Posted by AKSarkar1

Thanks for sharing this post! What makes me most happy is seeing these cars like your Polo crossing huge milestones like 2L+ Kms on Indian roads which IMHO are equivalent to around 4L on European roads.

Each cars have their own flaws but the Polos and Ventos have come to develop a special place in my heart and I can easily overlook this small pain as compared to the massive amount of joy these cars bring when driven. Wishing you many happy miles ahead too!

Polo TDI is one gem of a car, with some love and care it can easily last long. Thanks for the wishes mate.

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

I heard that there is ABS sensor for polo/vento/rapid from Hitachi that cost 1/3rd the OEM and are far more robust than OEM. Why don't you try them?

Finding Hitachi and Meyle sensors online has been quite challenging. Despite my efforts with Motrparts, they sent the sensor for the wrong wheel and are now requesting an additional 18 days to rectify the mistake. Similarly, my experience with Mechdeals was disappointing; after ordering Meyle sensors, they sent me used VW sensors intended for the wrong wheels, and to date, there has been no resolution.

Request

: If anyone has information on where to find Hitachi, Bosch or Meyle rear ABS sensors, please do share.

Originally Posted by jeeva

To me, he was an angel in disguise that rode in on a Honda Activa! When I thanked him profusely, he was like," Ah, c'mon, no big deal. I just unlocked a Porsche 911 on Carnet, on my way"! This was in Kozhikode, Kerala.

No doubt, he's a genuine thug, mate. At that moment, this approach didn't even cross my mind .

Originally Posted by Raghu M

Since the OP was blocking everyone's way, am sure he was tensed and something had to be done quickly.

Absolutely, you're correct. I was so desperate to leave the place that I didn't even dare to look back, despite the incessant honking from far behind.

Originally Posted by Auto_guy_101

The 2 year warranty is something they never bothered to inform me about.

Honestly, the VW service team never informed me about these warranty details; they simply went ahead with the replacements and billed me for them. Conversely, when I inquired about the same with the Skoda service advisor, he promptly informed me about the warranty.

Originally Posted by Auto_guy_101

Based on a bad incident I once had, its also always best to turn off the vehicle and get out unless you have co-passengers, even if you're just getting out to open or close your gate..

A few years back, my Polo experienced a sudden starter motor failure as I was checking out from a hotel. It had been working perfectly fine just 30 minutes prior. Since then, I've been somewhat apprehensive about turning off the engine when I'm nearby and out of the car. But as you rightly said, sometimes we learn our lessons the hard way.

[svsantosh]

Originally Posted by KratosMr

I could see the speedometer fluctuating around 40Kmph with a brake warning. This caused the auto-locking to trigger on its own while the car was still. By now, it dawned on me that I was stranded, with lots of cars behind me.
.....

I fired up the VCDS only to find that the front left ABS sensor had also failed, which triggered the wheel speed issue, brake warning, and speedometer fluctuation.

How any engineer can program a speedo to show 40kmph in Neutral and engine idling at 800RPM and then lock the doors shut is a mystery.

It is most absurd from any car maker to design a great product with such absurd logic errors. It is as if they designed an expensive rocket and one team works in Metric system and other team works on Imperial system and the rocket takes a left turn 600 meters before the U turn point!!

[Bibendum90949]

Originally Posted by KratosMr

I quickly opened the driver's door with the ignition on. As usual, all the doors were unlocked. Then the driver's door was closed, and I went ahead to open the boot. To my surprise, the boot switch was not working. Immediately, I ran towards the driver's side, only to find that the car locked itself up. I could see the speedometer fluctuating around 40Kmph with a brake warning. This caused the auto-locking to trigger on its own while the car was still.

I too had faced a similar situation with my Skoda Laura. There was already an ABS error on the cluster and the car was slated to go for service soon enough and I didn't bother with a visit to service for ABS sensor issue alone. My car too has auto locking of all doors at 15 or 20 kmph.

Thankfully, the issue occured right in front of my home while taking the car out. I got down to close the gate with the engine running to later see all it's door locked up when I returned. And I went in and got my spare key and manually opened the door(unlocking via the keyfob won't work in such scenarios).

I generally have the habit of leaving a finger gap opening with the driver window if I'm to step out of the car with no other occupants inside, with the key in the ignition and also engine running. That day, for some reason I didn't follow that and nearly paid the price. The other thing I'm careful about is never to use the boot unlocking via keyfob, to fetch something from the boot. If you're absent minded, you may end up keeping the key inside the boot and shut the tailgate.

So much for German engineering but no idiot proofing for these silly yet serious mistakes

For most Euro cars or any cars for that matter, it's always safe to remove the keys out with you. I follow this with my Mahindra Thar too and even more religiously. You don't want to end up breaking open the windows in a no man's land in sub zero temperatures or in some jungle trails.

[Cresterk]

Originally Posted by 5252rpm

Sure! I have read in other threads that if one fails, all four has to be replaced as they are connected in series. Any idea on this? Also how much SVC charges? Is there any warranty for abs sensors?

It is a good idea to change all 4 since if one fails, the other 3 are also on their way out. Why would they all predictably fail so closely together? Because of planned obsolescence. They were designed with that exact life span in mind which is why it's not always a good idea to buy OEM parts for old/discontinued cars. There are generally cheaper alternatives readily available which have the inherent flaw corrected.

[SideView]

Originally Posted by KratosMr

Skoda Rapid ABS Sensors vs My Peace of Mind

Hi folks, I welcome you all to my first post! I'm Anand from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, and I mostly go by the name Kratos on all handles.

Curious other than break glass, wasnt the mechanic able to open it using scale etc via the backdoor?


My 2015 Terrano i had also faced the door lock issue with engine running (due to a bad lock actuator), the mechanic came and within 2 mins using scale he was able to open the back door.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by Bibendum90949

The other thing I'm careful about is never to use the boot unlocking via keyfob, to fetch something from the boot. If you're absent minded, you may end up keeping the key inside the boot and shut the tailgate.

So much for German engineering but no idiot proofing for these silly yet serious mistakes

You can try once- the boot may not lock. In Hondas, boot opens automatically if key is left inside.

Originally Posted by Bibendum90949

For most Euro cars or any cars for that matter, it's always safe to remove the keys out with you. I follow this with my Mahindra Thar too and even more religiously. You don't want to end up breaking open the windows in a no man's land in sub zero temperatures or in some jungle trails.

+1. There can be n number of combinations which we cannot comprehend esp with keyless entry systems. It can get you surprised!

[shrezza]

I remember this happening to my brother in law's Rapid, the key was promptly kept in boot to take the luggage and then closed without realizing that the key was still inside the boot. This was done by a kid so we can ignore his ignorance.
The funny part now is that the car was in a village albeit they were staying that night there in that village, so the replacement key was sent to that village the next morning to their relief.

I do not know if it is me or in particular, zhe Germans do things like this kind of mechanism. I have seen my BIL always having one or the other issue with the service billing with the Skoda SA.

That is why I choose either Japanese or Indian car brands.

[AsphaltNomad]

Originally Posted by AKSarkar1

Within my 2nd year of ownership, I realized that it just makes more sense to procure a couple of sensors of OEM quality keep it spare with me and find a trustworthy FNG for these changes. VW used to charge me around 6K for each sensor change (part price, labour and taxes incl) but outside I can get the same thing done for under 1.5K. Thought of sharing as this may be handy for fellow owners.

Hi, I own Octavia (2016 model) and just today the ABS error popped up and before taking it to Skoda service centre wanted to understand the damage to my wallet. Can you share the details of procuring the sensor from outside?

[AsphaltNomad]

Originally Posted by KratosMr

Skoda Rapid ABS Sensors vs My Peace of Mind

Incident 3:

After following him for a couple of days, by March 6, he sent me a revised invoice, and the credit amount of Rs. 1367 was updated on my car's account. After this, I inquired again about the ABS sensors' availability, and still, they are asking for 10+ days lead time. I bit the bullet and ordered the sensors from online.

Can you please share from where did you order the sensors? Also is there anyway to determine the faultly sensor without VCDS? Maybe ELM327 obd scanner or the likes?

[KratosMr]

Originally Posted by AsphaltNomad

Hi, I own Octavia (2016 model) and just today the ABS error popped up and before taking it to Skoda service centre wanted to understand the damage to my wallet. Can you share the details of procuring the sensor from outside?

Hi, I bought the sensors from boodmo.com, ASC quoted around 6.5k per sensor with 2 years warranty. There are many Instagram sellers selling the OEM sensors set at a much lower price, but don't know about their authenticity.

[KratosMr]

Originally Posted by AsphaltNomad

Can you please share from where did you order the sensors? Also is there anyway to determine the faultly sensor without VCDS? Maybe ELM327 obd scanner or the likes?

I guess any latest obd scanner will do the trick. And be prepared to change the set of 4 sensors in the line, as they are prone to failure one after the other.

[bravo6]

Originally Posted by KratosMr

1. No matter how advanced, reliable the locking system is, never leave the key inside the car while going out.

Unless you're in a secure parking area, like your home, just don't do this. A thief can get in and steal your car in seconds. It will take you less than 5 seconds to restart your car. Those few seconds aren't worth the risk.

I keep a copy of the key (without the chip) in the coin pocket of my wallet just on the off chance I get locked out. This can't start the car, but helpful to unlock the door. The plastic "handle" of the copy is filed down so it takes up less space. As a kid, we had a door lock that would lock automatically when you close the door, so still paranoid about getting locked out.

As for outstation trips I carry the valet key: as a spare in case I lose the primary key, or in case I need to use a valet/get towed and don't want them poking around in the glovebox/boot.

Originally Posted by svsantosh

How any engineer can program a speedo to show 40kmph in Neutral and engine idling at 800RPM and then lock the doors shut is a mystery.

You can coast down a hill in neutral with the engine idling and easily achieve that speed. Not recommended, but certainly possible. The speedo/ABS module is simply converting x pulses/second from the ABS sensor to y km/h. Gear and rpm is irrelevant when you're measuring wheel speed.

It would be better if auto locking was enabled only if the driver's seatbelt was buckled.