Hi I have a Skoda Octavia 2006 hatchback and the bulb warning light came on about a week ago and I checked all the bulbs and they all seem to be working just the left rear indicator was flashing slow but then sometimes it was normal then when I use the turn signal the dashboard green indicator arrow flashes unusually fast, so I ordered new indicator bulbs and put them in the rear left housing and then none of the bulb now work but then I changed the housing spare one still nothing then put the old bulb back in still nothing then I connected the left housing to the right connector and they worked fine so it’s not the bulbs or the housing I think i is the wiring or connector so I sprayed the connector with electrical connector spray to clean but still did nothing. A while back I had a leak with the screen wash and got on the wires lower down but they have black fabric wire coat material around and this was a year ago and they have been working fine all this time. I don’t know what it could be any suggestions and on another note my mot is due within 2 weeks just my luck my car always plays up before mot.

Check the earth return. The brown wire from the cluster goes to an earth stud behind the left trim in the boot. My guess is that the connection is corroded. 

46 minutes ago, pikpilot said:

Check the earth return. The brown wire from the cluster goes to an earth stud behind the left trim in the boot. My guess is that the connection is corroded. 

Hi is this the earth stud 

That is certainly an earth stud, and one that needs a major clean. Looks like it has had water, or more likely, washer fluid over it.

The two wires on the left with the blue crimps are not original factory fit. Can't quite see where the yellow goes. 

 

Take the whole lot apart , clean all the contacts and reassemble.

 

It doesn't look like the earth stud I was expecting to see. It could be something that was done using a bolt when towbar electrics were fitted. Do you still have a towbar?

Yeah I bought the car just over a year ago and the car has a tow bar with the plug sockets and there is a load of wires next to the lights which I believe are for it and I believe them to blue wires are from it but it doesn’t have the toe hook just the backboard to connect to the car and the plug sockets. But I don’t know how to take it apart do I have to unsolder it and then solder it back. Cause I don’t have solder iron and how would I clean the contacts with electrical contact spray or rubbing alcohol. But do you know about the tow bar wiring as it is such a mess and ideally I want to tidy the wires up as they get in the way but I don’t know where what goes where I have a picture.

If you don't understand electrics and don't have the tools then I suggest you go to an auto-electrician to get it sorted.

You can also decide whether you wish to retain the towbar wiring and sockets or, cheapest way, just have the car returned to standard. Either way get the electrician to clean up any earth studs and check continuity to the body. Shouldn't charge much more than an hour if it is a rip out job.

So this is most likely the problem the earth stud. I don’t know where is going to be open during this Coronavirus lockdown 😄

Edited 24 March, 20206 yr by Adamusmani

You could try taking off that domed nut and then cleaning the crud off both sides of each connector and the body panel then putting it all back again if you feel that is within your capabilities.

Well actually looking at the nut no soldering would need to be done as each connector has hoops which go around the thread on the bolt is connected to. I did take the boot liner out a while back when i fixed the washer leak and clean out there. What should I use to clean it is surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol) ok or does it need something else.

First take the connection apart. You may have a plastic domed nut with a normal nut and washer beneath or the domed part could be metal and is the only fastener.

 

Most dirt can be removed with a water/washing up liquid solution. Any remaining dirt can removed with a fine 3M type scouring pad or fine emery paper. Try not to scratch away the plating on the ring connectors (hoops).

On reassembly I would add a thin smear of vaseline over the mating surfaces but don't worry if you don't have any as it is just protection against future problems.

 

Finally put all the ring connectors back over the stud and replace the washer then metal nut. Tighten well but not excessively. Then put back the domed nut if it is separate.

Hi I cleaned it all well and now the lights work except from indicator I will try the reverse tomorrow but I noticed one of the wire is for the tailgate as I could not open it. Once off the stud. But it’s just the indicator as when I put it on the arrow on the dash board flashes fast I think I could be the relay as the bulbs work on the right side so it’s not the bulbs or the stud. 

The rear reversing light doesn’t work either so the indicator and reverse light

19 hours ago, Adamusmani said:

The rear reversing light doesn’t work either so the indicator and reverse light

I think it is the cluster but I’m not sure 

If cleaning the earth contacts brought back the brake lights, then I'd imagine you're in the right area for fixing the remaining non-functioning bulbs.

 

The picture you posted, as mentioned by pikpilot has seen a lot of water from your leaking washer jet, clean and reseat as many connections as you can access.

17 hours ago, silver1011 said:

If cleaning the earth contacts brought back the brake lights, then I'd imagine you're in the right area for fixing the remaining non-functioning bulbs.

 

The picture you posted, as mentioned by pikpilot has seen a lot of water from your leaking washer jet, clean and reseat as many connections as you can access.

I cleaned the 4 on this bolt in this picture 

The factory fitted loom, encased in the black felt-type material just above the earth point in your picture has also likely been submerged / doused in washer fluid.

 

As much of a pain as it is going to be, you need to try and trace as many of the wires that have been soaked and check for similar areas of corrosion.

This is the left board plugged into the right working plug I can see the reverse is gone but the indicator is working fine so it’s just the indicator now

Edited 27 March, 20206 yr by Adamusmani

And this is the cluster. I will have a look around as much as I can.

That also needs taking apart and cleaning...

 

You can see the amount of heat it's been generating as it's started to melt the plastic!

55 minutes ago, langers2k said:

That also needs taking apart and cleaning...

 

You can see the amount of heat it's been generating as it's started to melt the plastic!

Oh the plug (cluster) how would I dismantle it does it have screw or clips and how would I clean it

Edited 27 March, 20206 yr by Adamusmani

There may be plastic locking tabs for each terminal that need to be prised up to allow the crimped terminal to pull out.

 

Do one at a time to avoid confusion.  If the terminal isn't too rotten you can use a small wire brush and alcohol or similar to clean it up.

 

Reassemble making sure of a good wire/terminal join and that any tabs/pins are bent such as to make a good connection when plugged back together, you can add petroleum jelly to help protect vulnerable/bare connectors.

I plugged a new bulb into the reverse to check and the bulb blew out I believe with a strange pattern yet the bulb still lights up. I will try and take the plug apart and clean it.

That is a faulty bulb and nothing to do with your problems. However, it did light up (will fail to do so soon) so it has proved that the bulb socket is supplying 12V. 

Yeah the problem definitely is the cluster (plug) as I fiddled with the wires and they turned on but the earth wire has snapped and I can’t find a way to unlock the cluster and open it up and somebody else told me the metal prong had blown. I think I need a new cluster.

Edited 12 April, 20206 yr by Adamusmani

On 08/04/2020 at 08:53, Adamusmani said:

I plugged a new bulb into the reverse to check and the bulb blew out I believe with a strange pattern yet the bulb still lights up. I will try and take the plug apart and clean it.

I had the exact same issue.  Notice the brown corrosion on the earth pin?  Thats you issue.  I fixed it like this: