HI,

 

I'm new to the Fabia, I have a Fabia estate 2 1.4 2008. (the Blue one  )

 

It seems weirdly very basic compared to other cars I have had (it has an alarm and heated electric windows but....) as when I turn off the engine and leave I'm

buzzed at if I have not manually turned the lights off. ye gods - I thought that went out with the stone age lol.

 

So a little searching brings up threads that mention auto lights, referring a lot to them coming on at night and off during the day etc.

I'm not sure that this is what I want, I simply want the lights to come on when I start the car and go off when I turn it off.

I drive with the lights on always (maybe I should get a Volvo?) so this is what I'd like to do with the Fabia.

 

I have found a replacement switch on ebay, http://bit.ly/2scBcMz but am puzzled by if this does what I want?

Has anyone else used one of these (I bet someone has)  - any advice?

 

I also want to know what a lot of the settings are for in the radio but Ill start another thread for that.

 

Cheers,

Matty

I think the auto light switch you have posted is for when it senses it is dark and sticks them on.

 

You could buy aftermarket lights and wire them in for Like DRL’S so the lights come on all the time. I know later Fabia models had lights drl’s that stayed on maybe from 2010 onwards.

 

Davy

Cheers, I just want the headlights to be auto on/off with the ignition.

There are no DRL's on this car, so Id use the headlights, if only they turned off automatically

Welcome to the forum. 

I find it good to know that the lights are going on as long as all the bulbs are good by turning on the lights rather than trusting to 'Auto Lights' deciding when the sidelight and dipped beam are needed.

 

If you want the Sidelights & Dipped beam to go on and off with the ignition with the light switch still at 'on' best maybe talk to an Auto Electrician.

Auto lights only work in ideal conditions, maybe 60% of the time I find that I am not driving in ideal conditions - so need to be aware and not make assumptions - though from what I see, many people do make assumptions and drive on auto and "its not my fault that my lights have not come on - blame it on the car or conditions".

As rum4mo says, well except that IME auto lights can also put the lights on and refuse to turn them out if general conditions are such that it's bright sunlight (so no need for any lights), but you're parked in deep shadow and driving North when you leave it.

...Not had a problem since I fitted auto list to my Fab! They come on and go of if light is below or above a certain ambient brightness. You could leave the lights on at all times but they will stay on for I think, an hour after locking up the car, then turn themselves off, to protect the life of the battery! (Not a great idea though).

 

The auto light switch you are viewing, although similar to mine, is the incorrect colour for Skoda's though. You might have to get a switch from a Rooster that has the auto function and then the older type module that converts the larger older Fabia plug to the smaller, later type one. I had to do this, which made it a slower process to get the bits together but I am really happy I did it. Be aware, you need to know if you have front AND rear fogs as some models only have rear as a legal requirement. f your car has the larger switch plug, this one will fit and do the same job and be cheaper but you most likely will wish you had the correct colour illumination.  (That one is really VW).I

I have had Volvos with Dim Dip and still every time i drove i checked the Light switch to see if it was on.

 

Never understood with people that like to drive with Dipped Beam & Sidelights as i do what is difficult with turn on the Ignition and turn on lights, 

turn off engine and turn off the lights.

It becomes just an automatic reaction no matter what vehicle you get in then regardless of whatever set up it has.

 

I still have cars with indicators on the right stalk, and that i like, sometimes it takes me a few miles to change when jumping in a car with indicators on the left.

Autohold is good though, no hassle indicating and flashing lights while having to release the parking brake or select 'D'.

Edited 7 February, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

HI, cheers for the replies.

 

Not sure where the side lights and headlights bit came in, I just want to be able to turn the headlights to auto, have them come on when I have started the engine and go off when I turn it off.

Its a simple thing, jump in the car, start up and drive - stop, turn off and get out - not having to remember to turn off lights etc - many cars do this these days.

 

Auto electrician? No thanks, I'm capable of the electric side myself given the info, I was kind of hoping that since the car is a 2008 model someone might have wanted to do this before and it would be a subject your familiar with.

Or maybe not?

 

If I had DRL's I'd not be concerned, but I do not and no spaces to fit them - which leaves me with this ancient method of turning a switch... lol

 

Maybe I can hook it upto the phone "Google - turn on the car lights"... lol

 

MRGF, cheers - although Im not sure what your referring to about the colour?

I only have rear fogs so was pondering about the front/back options. Pulled my switch out today and the connector on the back is quite large so I assume the larger one you are referring to.

I guess Ill have to keep looking or make a circuit of my own.

 

I have already spotted 2 switch blanks in front of the gear lever, so if I can get whatever switches they were for I could utilise those.

 

You can not have Headlights on without sidelights (position lights) on as well.

 

As to 'AUTO' switch when you have it,

that does not mean you leave the lights on and you start the car and the Side Lights and Dipped lights come on, 

it means you leave it in Auto and if the ambient light conditions are right, or poor the Lights Automatically come on.

So you might be starting the car, switch in Auto and there are no lights on.

 

When you have lights fitted so that they go on and off with the ignition and you want to leave them on 

the switch is at Side Light, or Dipped which has the Sidelights and Dipped lights on.

Same as you have, just with you the lights do not go off with the ignition.

 

Hopefully someone will be along with the knowledge.

You do not need an 'Auto' switch.

 

Edited 7 February, 20188 yr by AwaoffSki

Well, I do not need an auto switch as it seems to be referred to here...

 

I can manage the wiring to add a relay that is powered via the ignition, but what I'd like to know is what wires do what at the back of the current switch?

Do they go direct to the lights with switched power or are the controlling a computer somewhere that then controls switching relays etc. to power the lights?

Is a circuit diagram available?

I have had 2010 on Face Lift Fabia, no 'Auto' Light switch, just the usual Mk2 Fabia lights, they went out when the ignition was off, key out.

Only the Parking light (one sidelight) front and rear would be on if the indicator stalk was down.

I should be able to manage this easily once I identify the correct wires.

A relay powered via the ignition, fused power then feeding the headlights or the side lights.

 

OR I cold get myself some after market LED DRL's to go in place of where the little grills are.

I doubt I can find some 2nd hand DRL's to fit that are within my budget.

 

A project for the summer I think.

 

That parking light thing puzzled me when it first happened to me, now I know about it Ill be able to disable the stupid thing

I referred to the colour on these switches as the illumination on many aftermarket switches is backlit with RED where Skoda switches are usually GREEN. Have a look at all your instrumentation at night and the switches for windows, lights etc are green. The switch you were looking at is backlit red. Hope that makes sense.

Simple to have DRL's that are on when the Ignition is on as long as they are going off when the Sidelights & Headlights are on.

But then i thought the point of the post was to have lights that you could just leave switched on when the ignition is switched off.

DRL's to the front and for Daylight use is not resolving that.

OK cheers mrgf, not driven it at night yet.

 

Yes awaofski, your correct DRL's do not solve it.

Getting in and driving away without lights on seems to be the norm (guy at work has the same issue).

 

Thats why I like the Fabia... Dash is not illuminated unless lights are turned on. Seen loads of drivers getting caught out driving at nightfall, thinking the lights are on as they can see their controls. Also, driving with DRL's which, as the name implies, are for daytime. They won't give you any rear end illumination. I really can't see the point of them TBH. I can see where I am going in daylight, I don't want some Cupid Stunt driving into the back of me at night, though (Or any other time, come to think of it).  In addition, front lights, in sunlight, cause an optical illusion of making you appear FURTHER AWAY then you really are, so being pulled out on is more likely!

Heres a thought... You say you want constant lights on. How about biting the bullet, fitting an auto light switch which has the little sensor and leaving the sensor inside the dash/bulkhead or even, mounting it on the dash as per usual but just under the black surround of the windscreen? This will prevent light hitting the sensor, thus keeping lights on constantly! Will also serve to act as auto lights should you want to use them occasionally and also be a bonus when selling the car to the new prospective owner. Nothing then stops you turning off the auto lights or using the switch in the normal way whilst still leaving you with the constant function you so desire, without any real changes to the wiring. Auto lights are simple to fit AND remove. As long as you retain the old switch, you can revert to stock. With the sensor on the dash, you just move it a little, so light CAN hit it, if the desire takes you.

The only issue is, the switch you pictured had front and rear fogs, I think you said you only have rear so you might want a different switch unless you want to retro-fit front fogs too!

I was thinking of doing that, as for the fogs - well I dont actually have to fit them do I, just ignore the switch position.

Ill get in touch with one or two of the sellers and ask them about how it functions.

 

Although I'm keener to have front fogs than not - it gets quite foggy on the hills around me.

I'm sure they should be easy enough if you know how to wire. You might just need new pods where they fit in the front bumper but they are cheap or fit aftermarket type ones. I'd go for proper ones - if its worth doing, do it well!