Problem just appeared on my MFSW and wondered if anyone had experienced the same or knows of a fix.

 

The Return button and the push of the scroll wheel on the right hand side of the MFSW do not work when headlights(or just sidelights) are switched on.

 

All works fine when headlights off.

 

The MFSW is retro-fit and has been fine for over a year now so don't think it's coding.

 

Thinking could be buttons acting up when lit up, maybe the steering controller, headlight switch or something else?

 

Anyone had the same issue and can point me to where the fault could be.

 

Thanks.

 

P.S.

Thinking about it maybe it has happened before but I hadn't noticed a pattern till the shorter days and using headlights more.

Scanned the car today and initially no fault code shown!

Had the steering controller fault code box open as the lights were turned and as soon as the buttons on the MFSW were pressed a fault code appeared: 01426.

On the Ross Tech Wiki this points to either a fuse (possibly in the engine bay) or the MFSW button wiring or, with further reading, it could be the actual steering controller.

Can anyone add further information / experience to this for Simon?

It does appear to be limited to the right hand buttons and related to the phone & light behaviours.

At a guess I'd say it had to be either the wire between the two sets of buttons or the right hand buttons? It could also be the left hand buttons but I'd guess at the other two bits first.

 

If it helps, I have a spare set of buttons (right ones have the input swap rather than phone button) and both wires you could borrow? If nothing else it should help narrow down the problem.

Thanks for the offer - that's over to Simon for that.

 

Don't the two sets of buttons each have their own short loom that connects behind the steering wheel air bag?

 

Or does one connect to the other and then on to another connector?

There is a single connector that must attach to the slip ring or wheel controller to the left buttons with 4 wires (I didn't look too hard when I replaced my buttons), then there is a second wire between the left and right buttons with 6 wires.

 

I can drop you a picture if needed but they should all be pretty accessible once the airbag is out, they just pull off the wheel (although are pretty stiff).

Thanks, but like you said it'll be pretty obvious with the airbag off.

Seems most likely that the wires between left & right sets of buttons is at fault. Possibly been rubbing on something as the wheel turns... I'm guessing now as I've not had a look under Simon's airbag.