DaiTon

And for anyone who's out of warranty, have a look at JFCarter's post here -

Found JFCarter's post last week as my ignition has been getting more and more hit and miss lately. On one occasion I was sat on my Mum's drive for 5 minutes trying all sorts of weird methods of pushing the %$**£@$ button! Anyway, I bought some contact cleaner from Halfords and got the car to myself this morning to crack on with the job. So, I fussed and faffed with the steering column shroud until I realised that I could pull the lever and drop the column away from the shroud, making it so much easier. Then, once I'd got the switch out I could only see two tabs (one partly hidden under the sticky label), until I sussed that I needed to gently prise the metal retainers backwards off the switch to get at the other two. The tabs, the tabs, oh my giddy aunt THE %$**£@$ TAAAABS! One of them already had a crack along its centre line so was effectively acting like two tabs! No small bits of plastic to hand - I believe that there was steam coming out of my ears at this point. What was to hand was my wife's sewing box, and eventually, brain in gear, I came up with a masterplan. Some fine pins, slid in under the tabs, and I emerge the victor! Out popped a rather dirty contact pad and button assembly. Having already raided the make-up drawer (the wife's, just in case you're wondering) earlier for some cotton buds, Hey Presto! - everything's squeaky clean in no time. Refitted everything - this is the best bit because it's quick and easy, having learned from my mistakes during the first half. Well, it would have been had I not lost the final screw through the %$**£@$ POINTLESS HOLE to the side of the screw position in the lower shroud! So, having removed the shroud a second time, found the screw, refitted the shroud, and ever so carefully refitted the screw with the aid of torch and mirror, I'm done. Ignition now working like a dream - all that's left to do is calm down with a cuppa, bask in the glory of £30+ and labour costs saved, then go on the forum to mention a couple of potential pitfalls for the unwary. What, someone's got there before me? Oh %$**£@$ !!!! Seriously though, thanks due to both JFCarter and ReaF for the excellent info above.

Hi all - rejoining community as my old username login (non - email) is no longer accepted. Yes, it's been a while...! Currently on my 4th - Fabia 1, Octavia 1 Est, Octavia 2 Est, Superb 3 Est