Right then, my evil Octy decided that the wiper linkage was going to seize up (for a second time) on the run up to Christmas, so yesterday I sorted that out and have nice smooth wipers again.

Over the last few weeks I have heard the odd random indicator relay click, but today the thing went crazy and was doing it loads. It seemed to be made worse with a bit of left steering, and around 45mph (60 it was virtually perfect!). Reading on here, most people say it is the relay behind the hazard switch, but I am less convinced by this the more I think about it.

To me it seems to be much more like a a stalk issue (given the steering direction seemed to have a slight affect on this), as did when it was on a left indicator for a bit longer than normal couple of flashes it does (quite often I just hold it in place rather than latching it).

Therefore my first thought is a blast of switch cleaner into the indicator stalk when I get a chance, and if that fails, then a new stalk (maybe a cruise one) and if it still plays up a new relay.... or does my logic seem backwards?

Any thoughts?

I've encountered this before and your logic is spot on.

I had this two weeks ago. sprayed the stalk with contact cleaner left it a few hours and wiggled. not been a problem since

I'd retro fit cruise, sort your problem and get a bonus at the same time

I'd retro fit cruise, sort your problem and get a bonus at the same time

haha, if only I had posted 2 days ago, as I was travelling down from up north and passed by Worcester! Guess I might have to DIY it instead!

haha, if only I had posted 2 days ago, as I was travelling down from up north and passed by Worcester! Guess I might have to DIY it instead!

I can email you a copy of the installation notes, so you can decide. On a diesel, swapping the stalk over is 70% of the job, so it would be a good time to fit cruise control.

Ive just done this job for a mate of mine with an 02 Octavia. We changed the hazard relay first but it had no effect. I got a mk4 golf stalk off eBay for £15 and that sorted it.

I can email you a copy of the installation notes, so you can decide. On a diesel, swapping the stalk over is 70% of the job, so it would be a good time to fit cruise control.

A copy of the notes would not go amiss. My memory says from previous discussions the hard bit is the airbag stuff, and having to mark (well punch) something to show how many times the steering wheel has been removed.

Thanks

I guess if I changed the relay I could then get one touch indicators by using a different relay, but not sure I need spend money on that at the moment!

Edited 30 December, 201114 yr by mbames

A copy of the notes would not go amiss. My memory says from previous discussions the hard bit is the airbag stuff, and having to mark (well punch) something to show how many times the steering wheel has been removed.

Thanks

I guess if I changed the relay I could then get one touch indicators by using a different relay, but not sure I need spend money on that at the moment!

Email sent.

Disconnect the battery, make sure you are not in front of the airbag whilst you remove it and store it face up. That's it really. I've seen one go off when it was disconnected, so it can happen (a torque wrench fell onto the back of the airbag).

You can reuse the steering wheel screw 5 times before it needs replacing. A punch mark should be made to the screw each time the screw is replaced.

IIRC, you add an additional module/relay to the existing hazard switch/relay to get one-touch indictators.

Email sent.

Disconnect the battery, make sure you are not in front of the airbag whilst you remove it and store it face up. That's it really. I've seen one go off when it was disconnected, so it can happen (a torque wrench fell onto the back of the airbag).

You can reuse the steering wheel screw 5 times before it needs replacing. A punch mark should be made to the screw each time the screw is replaced.

IIRC, you add an additional module/relay to the existing hazard switch/relay to get one-touch indictators.

Thank you, I shall read and digest, and then see how much my local VAG dealer wants to rip me off for the stalk.

one-touch, yep I think you are right an additional module is required.

If you don't want a cruise stalk, I have an ordinary one that came off my Bora when it was just over a year old sitting in the garage that I am open to reasonable offers on.....