Hi,

Firstly, does anyone know how to remove the "multifunction" switch (connected to the stalk that operates the indicators and the headlight dipping)? And more to the point, can you do it without removing the steering wheel? (Octavia Mk 1, no cruise control or radio controls).

I can't find any mention of how to do this in the Haynes manual. So far I have removed the top cover behind the steering wheel but the bottom one seems to be attached behind the wheel.

Secondly, is there a relay that controls the headlights? Or does the ECU control it? Particularly the dipped beam function as I have the following problem:

When traveling on Sunday night I noticed that when returning to dipped beam from main beam, the dipped lights would either not come back on or would come on briefly, go off and then come back on again. If they did not come on, pulling the indicator stalk back would bring on the dipped and main beams at the same time and then the dipped beam would stay on. It then started to not always come back on when pulling the stalk back so I ceased using main beam and left it on the dipped beam when it was working again. N.B. The sidelights would always be on when no other light was on.

Now however, I really struggle to get the headlights on. Even when pulling the indicator stalk back only the main beam comes on most of the time. If I ever manage to get the dipped beam to stay on, it will go off when I recycle the ignition. Any ideas?

I can only think it is a sticky relay, ECU problem, multifunction switch fault or unlikely a poor connection elsewhere.

Thanks for any advice,

Rob

Before you take things apart too much, squirt some switch cleaner into the stalk base and wiggle it about and see if that helps....

To remove it, you will need to remove the steering wheel (and thus deal with the airbag). Have a search on here for CC upgrades as that should cover how to change/remove the stalk.

Take a look at post #39 in thread

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/177453-leaking-rear-washer-pipe-might-have-caused-electrical-damage/

Thank you both. Unfortunately I do not have any switch cleaner/WD40 here. Will give it a shot when I get some tomorrow (wish I'd thought of this, was in halfdords earlier).

I did give it a search to find similar problems but to no avail! Guess I was focusing on main beam and multifunction too much, or just being inept.

or just being inept.

Better to blame the search, it can be quite picky at times :'(

I remember reading about a method where you can use Google to search, which works better, ironically I couldn't find the thread where I read about how to do it!

To remove/replace either stalk the steering wheel needs to be removed because they slide off the steering column towards the driver.. The difficulty is in removing the airbag and not messing up the electronics that connect the bag to the steering column. The ring must be in exactly the same position when reassembled otherwise things do not work right.

I remember reading about a method where you can use Google to search, which works better, ironically I couldn't find the thread where I read about how to do it!

In google, type:

site:briskoda.net <and then your search condition>

a bit like this link

Ok, cleaning the switch has made no difference, can't get the dipped beam on at all now. The dipped beam warning light on the dash has not been coming on when the dipped beam doesn't work either. Any ideas if that means it has to be a new switch? I can't see a diagram in the haynes manual that indicates where in the circuit the dash light is triggered. Is there a relay under the dash I could try switching?

Edit: My apologies, diagram does say, dash light only seems to come on if the RH dipped headlight fuse is ok and the appropriate switches are in the correct position and working. Will try swapping the fuses.

Edited 24 March, 201115 yr by Powell2.0