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Originally Posted by F150 How do you order parts from UK directly ? Is it from SKODA UK dealers or thru some website ? what is the procedure for customs clearance and other stuff ?
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Please read on -
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Originally Posted by ajmat The left indicator stopped working. Replaced the relay but no joy. It needs a new stalk, on order. I would normally buy it from the UK but I dare not mess with removing the wheel + airbag etc. |
A month later, I followed up, it is coming saar.....
Two weeks later, I followed up again, it has not come saar....
To interpret - I could not be bothered to order it. When you become a pest and bug me in person, I will order it!!!
I log onto ebay.co.uk - find the part for Rs 1500, order it to a UK address and it gets posted to me in 5 days. I call Vinayak again
"We don't fit outside parts saar"
"You could not get me the part"
"Whatever saar, we do not fit outside part!"
Deep sigh!!!
Here I am, a man with two stalks, lurking around wondering what to do. I had developed an extra cautious approach to turning left without signalling. I first decided to check the indicator circuits first.
Checked the relay - This is the hazard warning light switch and its connections. I prised it out, the dealer has replaced it. At least thats what is said on the bill, but alas the markings on it and the grime told me that Vinayak have upgraded themselves from a dealership to a stealership. More on this coming up shortly in the TAFE Vs Vinayak dealership thread.
I did some research on the net, bit the bullet, swallowed my bile and decided, yes, I'm going to do it - I'm going to..
1: Replace the indicator switch myself - airbag, steering, the works
2: Buy a Volkswagen
So lets deal with 1 first.
I needed to get an m10 socket. Procured this, took a deep breath and did started off in the basement of my mothers apartment with a powerful head torch.
First thing I did was disconnect the battery.
Next was the most scariest part of the job - removing the airbag.
Articles - The Skoda Forum and Community provided comprehensive instructions
SKODA-Airbag-0573.pdf
This involved poking 4 holes in the back of the steering with a screwdriver to leverage the clips attaching the airbag assembly. This took a while, toggling the screwdriver and trying to feel the clips. It felt like a combination of a nervous bridegroom who has become a trainee bomb disposal expert. This took the most time, after 40 minutes of poking, probing, leveraging, the assembly popped out. Popped out did I say....big mistake, more later!!
I removed the airbag harness main plug but the horn wire look soldered on so I then had to power on holding this baby which might explode!
I then set to work removing the steering wheel.
What you see is the clockwork mechaism which manages the wire, airbag etc. This should not be fiddled/ twisted with at any cost. It comes out and one needs to hook it somewhere near by
I then needed to remove the ignition lock and take out the housing to get to the switch assembly
I was taking pictures as I went along to remember what went where
I then removed the assembly, The wiper stalks and indicators are press fitted together, so it requires gentle but strong force to separate the two. Yes, nervous bridegroom anxieties continue.
From thence, it was a case of fitting the two assemblies and reversing my process. I did not want to test it as the airbag warning light would trigger meaning a reset.
Put steering back on, replug airbag, some clasp holding a fine wire got undone, clipped it and put eveything together.
Now was the moment of truth
I switched ignition. Airbag light switches off, phew! Switch left indicator on
tick tock tick tock - I'm motoring!!
Pack my tools, reverse and drive out and darn airbag light switches on!!!
It had been a long evening. I wake up on sunday morning and remove airbag and see the culprit. That fine wire had split when I clipped that clasp. The clasp should have never opened but it did when the airbag popped out. I consider taping it, soldering it, suicide and other alternatives but it is not the correct thing to do. I decide to seek relief on the net from another saviour of mine.
SkodaParts.com - Genuine Skoda Parts and Accessories - Skoda Parts Online
I have a parts database so matched to the part number with what they had. I saw what I wanted and ordered it.
During that time, I had to contend with a car without airbags and...a horn. I avoided using the car but I had to go to electronics city for a visit which I did very carefully!! I also drove it to Sarjapur for my trip to Pahwna.
10 days later, the part arrived. This time around, I got the airbag off in a matter of minutes. Managed to unclip the original harness. Fitted the new harness and carefully assembled together.
I forgot to add that when I replaced the steering, it was slightly crooked. I corrected this. Resetted airbag warning light and i have been beeping ever since!
Moral of story - when you pop your airbag out. Make sure you hold it and unplug completely without stretching the harness.
Thankfully the car does not have ESP, it would mean some steering angle sensors to deal with
Mud in your eye - Vinayak!!
and so I bought a Volkwagen!
In the meanwhie, I noticed it was running extemely rich in the morning and the temperature needle taking longer to warm up even though days were warmer. it took 7 km to reach normal temperature.
A little bit of research showed that the temperature sender was playing up It is a known fault.
If it is a black one, it will fail. The green ones are okay.
SkodaParts.com - Genuine Skoda Parts and Accessories - Skoda Parts Online sent me one within a week and I fixed it in 30 min. Remove a couple of covers, unplug, pull a clip out and replace. Most of the time was spent in removing the wiring harness which was stuck. Ensure the engine is stone cold and no coolant will even leak out.
Started it, the rorty noise and boomy exhaust due to overrich fuel vanished. Took it for a drive and it reached the normal temperature in 4 KM. Am sure mileage will improve.