I replaced my Skoda Octavia head unit yesterday with a JVC CD-player. Originally I used a Halfords harness adapter, and Antenna Adapter (boost AM signal). This is when the problem surfaced.

I've later removed the Halfords stuff, and by swopping the yellow and red cables around, can do without them (not best pleased with Halfords)

However, when I now use my windscreen wipers, they go mad! I thought this might be that extra wire that I have to cut, the one to stop me blowing up the Skoda diagnostic unit. However, if I remove the head unit, and even fit the old one back, the problem remains.

Given the month, I really need my windscreen wipers back!

Any help will be greatfully received!

John.

Can't exactly blame Halfords for VAG deciding to swop the permanent and switched live feeds around to make them different from almost everbody else!

I had a similar problem when I replaced hu and put in phone kit, except mine affected the passenger heated seat in my Superb. Kept coming on intermitantly and when I remove the fuse to stop it (wife doesn't like heated bum in August) it blew the fuse for most of the instruments.

Turns out the fit can be very tight behind the dash and putting in additional wiring looms and other bits doesnt help. At some point whilst trying to force the unit in the wiring to the seat heater control got crushed and this started it shorting between the wires. That could be a possible cause. Its a bugger to find though - we were lucky as it was obvious the moment we put a meter on the terminals of the seat switch and started wiggling the wires around.

You really do need to use this part, Antenna Adapter (boost AM signal) as it also boosts FM signal. If you travel into a weak reception area you will see what I mean, I got fed up with being stuck listening to the national stations so bought the booster and presto I can now listen to more stations for longer.

Can't exactly blame Halfords for VAG deciding to swop the permanent and switched live feeds around to make them different from almost everbody else!

Cheers. I wasn't blaming Halfords for that, more selling me the head adapter for

P.S. Where is the fuse box? I don't keep the manual in the car, and I can't find it!

To the RHS of the instrument cluster (dash) behind a cover. Open the driver's door and you will see it. NB - the fuse layout is the mirror opposite of that in the Owner's Manual which is for a LHD car.

Cheers. I wasn't blaming Halfords for that, more selling me the head adapter for

Fuse sounds unlikely if your wipers are going at full tilt, which is what I thought you meant. If the fuse has blown they wouldn't work at all. Sounds more like they are always getting a "fast speed" instruction whenever you put them on, but not sure exactly how that works but could be two wires shorting.

Hi Peter,

I wasn't very hopeful that the fuses would be the problem. Reading other sections of the forum, I am not sure the two events are related.

The wipers worked fine for two journeys (about 15 miles) following the HU install. Then they went nuts. The problem seems quite common, judging by the forum: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/showthread.php?t=7565&highlight=wipers . It looks like I will have to replace the wiper motor? Though I do wonder how much that would cost/how easy it would be?

Perhaps the motor is fine, and have I caused a short? But my car doesn't have heated seats, and behind the HU looks totally clear from any cabling/electronics that I might have knocked/pulled (maybe that's the problem! :P ).

I've only had the car 5 days! I bought a Skoda with the hope that I would enjoy the same reliability I had with my beloved (but now dead) Volvo 240. :(

Any help that would avoid the need to make an incredibly early aquaintance with my Skoda garage would be gratefully received!

Cheers,

John.