Given the symptoms - air bag lamp on, signal horn not working (no honk and no audible relay click under the dashboard) I suspect the clockspring on my wife's Octavia 1Z5 is broken. Perusing through ELSA I find that this model is supposed to have the clockspring integrated into the steering column control unit ("Restoring ring with coil spring - F350 - with integrated steering column electronics unit - J527) but according to ETKA I can use part number 1K0959653C ( https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2011-663/9/953-953050/#4 ) on this vehicle. I have not yet opened up the thing since she is using the car more or less constantly (she's a vet) so I do not know which of these sources to believe. Not having access to something like VCDS for this car I can not use this to find part numbers either. If 1K0959653C fits in this car the job is cheap and easy, if I need to fit some combined module which needs to be coded for the car I'll have to a) find that module and b) get access to a working VCDS (or similar) system (and pay a whole lot more for the part...).

 

Anyone here who knows who to believe, other than my own eyes when pull off the steering wheel? I'd like to order the parts before I do that as that both saves work/time as well as gives less downtime on the vehicle.

 

 The car is made in december 2011 but is reported as MY2012, nr TMBHT61Z0C211XXXX

 

It has a normal steering wheel, no spurious buttons.

Mychanges before calendar year. So no surprise there. I think it will be hard to tell you definitively without either a) finding a member with VCDs and getting a full scan or b) pulling it apart. 

I'll try to stick a borehole camera into the steering column assembly to see whether the electronics module is situated underneath the column. If it is there I assume it will take the separate clockspring (1K0959653C), if not I'll have to either see whether I can rig up my old VagCom + cable for this car (it worked in her previous Octavia (MK1 facelift)), find a way to convince any of the Android apps to work together with that Chinese ELM327 plug I have hanging around (it works with simple apps like Torque but it doesn't with things like Carista) or find some alternative to getting VCDS. Buying VCDS is not really an option given that I don't expect this car to be here for more than a few years and not knowing whether the replacement will be a VAG product. Maybe I should write my own diagnostic system and put it on Github, it is annoying to see something like this treated like magic pixie dust while in reality it is just a relatively simple collection of serial protocols with a bunch of data tables.

 

Thanks for the list, the nearest to me is either one of the Swedes or Norwegians (I live in Sweden).

 

I stuck a borehole camera into the bottom of the steering assembly and found some electronic bits mounted under the steering column, near the steering wheel. Not having disassembled this part of this car yet I do not know whether the board-with-yellow-plug visible here is either the separate steering control unit (J527) or at least indicative of such being fitted or something totally different. Anyone here recognise these parts as such?

 

 

Seen from the slot next to the steering column height adjustment handle, under the steering column assembly, looking "up" towards the steering wheel:

 

A bit closes to the yellow plug:

 

This is what I want it to be...

There are a few different styles for the steering controller and slip ring. The version you've posted is probably for a pre-FL MK2 Octavia...

 

My old Octavia (MY12 but registered late 2011) had the following module (supports MFSW and CC):

Address 16: Steering wheel (J527)       Labels: 5K0-953-569.clb
   Part No SW: 5K0 953 521 BN    HW: 5K0 953 569 E
   Component: LENKS.MODUL   014 0140  

 

At a guess, I'd expect your car to have a similar module but at this age, I think it could be either a 5K0 953 549 XX or 5K0 953 569 XX module so you should scan the car or physically check for a part number as they aren't compatible.

 

You'll need VCDS or similar to read the existing code and recode the new module

My vRS estate is April 2011 mfr, MY2011.  Part No SW: 5K0 953 521 AT on VCDS scan.

 

*Edit: Cruise and MFSW fitted.*

 

 

Address 16: Steering wheel (J527)       Labels: 5K0-953-569.clb
   Part No SW: 5K0 953 521 AT    HW: 5K0 953 569 B
   Component: LENKS.MODUL   014 0140  

 

Edited 12 April, 20215 yr by TheClient

Why dont you simply remove the steering wheel and look at the clock spring?

 

Unless you dont have the tools you have already spent far more time posting and using an endoscope, I have spent more time writing this than to remove the airbag & steering wheel.

 

Or am I missing something?

I don't just remove the steering wheel for lack of time and access to the car... if I can find out which part to order beforehand I only have to remove it once, on a day the car is not in use. Otherwise I'll be wrenching on the thing at some time I'd rather do something else... ...but I'm afraid there is nothing else to it. ETKA and all other parts catalogues I've got access to insist this car contains the "dumb" clockspring (a much better design in my opinion since it keeps the consumable (clockspring) separate from the electronics).

 

Thanks for the replies, I'll have to find some time to get the wheel off when the car is not in use (i.e. after 21.30)

 

 

I don't just remove the steering wheel for lack of time and access to the car... if I can find out which part to order beforehand I only have to remove it once, on a day the car is not in use. Otherwise I'll be wrenching on the thing at some time I'd rather do something else... ...but I'm afraid there is nothing else to it. ETKA and all other parts catalogues I've got access to insist this car contains the "dumb" clockspring (a much better design in my opinion since it keeps the consumable (clockspring) separate from the electronics).

 

Thanks for the replies, I'll have to find some time to get the wheel off when the car is not in use (i.e. after 21.30)

 

 

...edit...

 

Here's a bit more to add to the confusion:

 

 

This is when ETKA claims the combined module is in use, cars before this MY are shown as being equipped with a separate control module. Clearly this is not true given the scans posted by @langers2k and @TheClient . My wife's car does not have extraneous buttons ("MFSW") on the wheel but the thing does have cruise control...

Here's the verdict: ETKA is wrong, ELSA is right, the car uses the combined module. Bummer... or?

 

Hrere's the problem:

 

The ribbon is broken in the shape of the plastic thingy which holds it in place - not the best design here. The copper traces are spot-welded to contact pins on the plastic widget which in turn plugs into the controller (4 pins) and leads on to the airbag connector (2 pins). A new controller is both expensive as well as in need of coding, it also takes a fair bit of time for things to be delivered here in the Swedish countryside. So...

 

 

...I just cut the ribbon straight, carefully cut out the 6 traces at a length of ~5 mm, removed the insulation with a torch and some fine sandpaper and soldered the ribbon to the contact pins after first removing the spot-welded remains. After that I replaced the plastic fastener (the white vertical piece which holds the ribbon in place and offloads the welds) and for good measure added a piece of builders tape on the first few cm (not visible here) to avoid the thing breaking in the same location.

 

 

 

 

Ready for closing, the lid and spool top snap in place.

 

The horn now works again, I'll have to find a way to reset the airbag lamp but that can come later. The whole operation took about half an hour.

 

 

 

I think there's a career for you in fine electronics or clock spring repairs! Nice. 

A great repair, you are a man after my heart.

 

Thankyou for solving the mystery of what goes on inside a clockspring, I would not have taken mine apart unless it broke, now I know what awaits me, like you I would prefer to repair than replace.

 

Good on you!!!!

Yes, repair is often both quicker as well as just more convenient than replacement, not to mention a lot less expensive. In this case it would be possible for the purveyors of clocksprings to sell that ribbon cable as a spare part, given that the thing is totally separate from the rest of the assembly. Maybe this is possible, maybe not, I do not know. It would be an option for clocksprings which are broken in the middle or burnt by some short-circuit condition. Of course it is also possible to just replace the ribbon with a new one after soldering the connectors to a fresh piece of ribbon cable, assuming that this can be acquired somehow - an old inkjet printer might be a good source since these often use similar (albeit wider) ribbons.

(of course the ribbon should be capable of carrying the airbag igniter current, something to keep in mind)

In the intervening years the clockspring broke twice, at different locations. I managed to repair the stricken ribbon cable but the thing is at its end now so Aliexpress to the rescue in the form of 10 m of ribbon cable:

Nice find!

 

It amazes me how much people have to pay to have the things replaced when they are easily repairable as you have shown.

Ribbon with attached connectors. You need 60 cm of ribbon cable to repair this model. Make sure you attach the connectors in the correct orientation, one facing up, one down.

How Much???

Just phoned Skoda to get a price. £400!!!

Mr Skoda you are having a laugh.

I reckon all their parts are the same price because the intake flap motor went recently and that was £400 quid too.

mind you, it comes as a complete assembly with the intake manifold. It’s a separate part so why?

Rant over.