2003 Skoda Octavia Estate:

My first problem occurs when switching to full beam - the headlights turn off for a short period before full beam turns on. I am assuming that this is due to a faulty switch and would like to know if there is an easy and economical fix?

My second problem is that the courtesy lights in the boot do not work - I have replaced the bulbs, checked the fuses, re-made corroded connections underneath the cd changer, but cannot find a live feed to either light fitting. I have not come across this being a common fault, but does anyone have a possible easy fix please?

2003 Skoda Octavia Estate:

My first problem occurs when switching to full beam - the headlights turn off for a short period before full beam turns on. I am assuming that this is due to a faulty switch and would like to know if there is an easy and economical fix?

My second problem is that the courtesy lights in the boot do not work - I have replaced the bulbs, checked the fuses, re-made corroded connections underneath the cd changer, but cannot find a live feed to either light fitting. I have not come across this being a common fault, but does anyone have a possible easy fix please?

Do the headlights turn off when you flash the lights, or just when you push the switch forward? If it's just one, then it is likely to be the stalk on the steering column.

Do you have your lights on when you are testing the light in the boot?

Do the headlights turn off when you flash the lights, or just when you push the switch forward? If it's just one, then it is likely to be the stalk on the steering column.

Do you have your lights on when you are testing the light in the boot?

Thanks for getting back to me.

The headlights do not turn off when I flash the lights, it is just when I push the switch forwards and the delay can sometimes last for quite a few (worrying!) seconds.

I haven't tested the lights in the boot with the lights on, but I have just been out now and put the lights on and the boot lights still do not work. I am leaning towards thinking that there might be a broken wire somewhere, although I have heard that there have been some problems with the switch inside the boot locking mechanism .....?

You can try removing the stalk and cleaning the switch, but I would suggest that you replace it. There are a lot of these about because they are removed when fitting cruise control.

You can try removing the stalk and cleaning the switch, but I would suggest that you replace it. There are a lot of these about because they are removed when fitting cruise control.

Mine already has cruise control - should I still try to clean the switch, or is it best left alone?

Any ideas on the boot light issue?

You need to do something as a faulty switch would be an MOT failure. Cleaning the switch won't do any harm. The cruise switches can fail and cleaning does usually fix the problem so give it a go.. Unfortunately, a replacement stalk will be about £50.

The boot light could be the switch, a bad earth or the feed. The switch is on the earth side so you should find the feed at the lamp itself. IIRC, the feed comes from a control unit on the relay panel under the dash.

You need to do something as a faulty switch would be an MOT failure. Cleaning the switch won't do any harm. The cruise switches can fail and cleaning does usually fix the problem so give it a go.. Unfortunately, a replacement stalk will be about £50.

The boot light could be the switch, a bad earth or the feed. The switch is on the earth side so you should find the feed at the lamp itself. IIRC, the feed comes from a control unit on the relay panel under the dash.

The boot light switch is part of the lock assembly. Could be that a squirt of switch cleaner will fix it.

The boot lights come on whenever the boot is open and are independent of the lighting switch. I can't remember the circumstances but the boot lights are held on or shut down by the interior lighting control unit in some situations.

When I got my car (also 03 Elegance Estate) my boot lights did not work either. I found that the previous owner had disconnected the feed wire at one of the light units (it is looped to the other light) because he travelled with dogs in the boot. The 12V feed is the red and blue wire. Check you have 12V on this wire when the car is unlocked and the boot open. If so, ground the other wire in the light assembly (brown and black wire). The lights should come on, indicating a faulty switch in the lock.

If no 12V, follow the wire back to the interior lighting control unit on the relay plate. I assume all the other interior lights, vanity mirror lights etc work so a broken wire is a possibility.

Thanks very much for all of the advice and info. I will give all of this a go and feed back when done.

Regarding the boot courtesy lights - I can confirm that I do not have 12V on the red and blue feed wire, so somehow I need to rectify this.

Please could someone tell me how to access the relay panel under the dash and what I should be looking for to address this problem?

Thanks