Car maintenance question - VW Polo year 2000

[jackDEFECTORbauer]

Right as mentioned in the title I have a VW Polo from 2000.

I noticed recently that I can no longer switch the wipers to fully on, the stalk won't engage in that position and it feels like a plastic part has broken and causing this problem.

Wipers on intermediate is ok but I'd have to permantly hold the stick in the up position if I want them fully on. I'm hoping this is going to be fixable myself (already need a new cam belt so don't need any more expense on the car).

I've found a suitable part on ebay from a scrap dealer, a replacement wiper stalk for £15. I'm tempted to go ahead and get it but I should probably check its compatible first and to do that I assume I need to bust open the steering wheel etc. I've got a haynes manual for it which I have not yet checked but I'm wondering if anyone else has experience of this? How easy is it to replace the wiper stalk? Or could I rig the fuse box so intermediate becomes full on?

Appricate any help!

[dacanadianbomb]

One word of advice, whenever messing around the steering colum etc, dont fuck with the airbag if it has one.
Setting that puppy off will cost you a fortune.

[ferritt136]

you dont need to mess with the steering wheel just take the plastic cowel from around the ignition coloum then u just unplug your broken stalk and it slides out,if u do need to take the steering wheel of dissconect the battery wait half an hour the take it of but u shouldnt need to

[Gavac220]

I could tell you how to fix this....... But then I'd much rather sell you a new one!! Muhahahahaha.... Free insurance for a year, £500 off because you let me knife you, £99 for 3 years servicing...... Come on, you know it makes sense! No more MOT's for 3 years, and fully warranted for that full term. Oh and working wipers!

[jackDEFECTORbauer]

Thanks all, I'll be taking a proper look this weekend, sounds like it should be reasonably straight forward.

Gav - only £500 for all those times you've stabbed me? And all those other times with a knife on CS too!

I did actually drive a brand new polo whilst mine was being serviced. It was very nice, and the newest car I've ever driven, only 500 miles on the clock! No tempting me though - couldn't afford it even if I did want it.

[Gavac220]

Hehe... Good luck with the wipers. It really is straight forward to change a stalk (If that is what is wrong). Ferrit was pretty spot on. Just open the cowling and the rest is pretty obvious.

[jackDEFECTORbauer]

Well this is taking me longer than I thought it would! Got the part off ebay, all good. Removed the airbag, was tricky but it didn't explode in my face.

I was stuck after that, didn't have the correct size torx tool. Went and bought suitable ones, only to then find there's a huge nut recessed into the wheel. I need to remove it to get the steering wheel off but as its recessed I can't get a good enough purchase with a wrench. Balls! It seems I need to buy yet another tool or visit my old man in the hope he has a suitable spanner!

Gah - I still refuse to take this to a garage!

[ferritt136]

you dont need to take the wheel of m8 there should be some lugs on the stalk that u push in to release the old one then unplug the wires on it assuming u have taken the cowel of from round the wheel?

Well this is taking me longer than I thought it would! Got the part off ebay, all good. Removed the airbag, was tricky but it didn't explode in my face.

I was stuck after that, didn't have the correct size torx tool. Went and bought suitable ones, only to then find there's a huge nut recessed into the wheel. I need to remove it to get the steering wheel off but as its recessed I can't get a good enough purchase with a wrench. Balls! It seems I need to buy yet another tool or visit my old man in the hope he has a suitable spanner!

Gah - I still refuse to take this to a garage!

[jackDEFECTORbauer]

you dont need to take the wheel of m8 there should be some lugs on the stalk that u push in to release the old one then unplug the wires on it assuming u have taken the cowel of from round the wheel?

Ha ha if only it were that easy. Been following a haynes manual with a bit of youtube as well, the stalks slide onto the steering column I think so no luck in doing it without removing the wheel

Picked up suitable spanner (I hope) and will have another go tomorrow - too dark by the time I got back today.

[Gavac220]

"remove the cowling around the switchgear… next you`ll have to remove the steering wheel as the switches go right round the column.

you`ll need to remove the airbag,2 allen keys 5mm i think hold it in place.. DO NOT turn the ignition on when the airbag is removed.

you`ll find a nut on the steering wheel 22mm i think… undo this,it will be tight. with luck you`ll be able to pull the steering wheel off… if unlucky you`ll need to ask your local vw/seat/skoda garge to remove the wheel with the correct special tool.

once all thats off u`ll see three plain headed screws on the switchgear,remove these and GENTLY remove the switchgear,take note the flasher/wiper stalks are snapped together,unplug switch and fit new one and rebuild in reverse order.."

Seems to be progressing as required - Good luck with the centre nut!

[jackDEFECTORbauer]

And I'm done, all sorted....

Almost! Original wiper stalk is now working, once I had the wheel off it was clear it wasn't damaged and was working as normal - a bit odd. Anyway I put everything back together and everything works. The only slight issue is the airbag warning light which now comes back on after starting the engine. A quick search suggested this will happen if you switch the ignition on without the airbag hooked up. Due to my lack of tools to complete the job on the first attempt I drove a couple of times without the airbag attached.

I'm hoping the warning light is just on because the airbag was not plugged in and not a more serious issue with the airbag. I'm happy the airbag is 100% but I'd rather not have it deploy in my face whilst driving! I'm hoping I can just get them to reset the light next time I take it to the garage (cam belt change is due).

What do you guys think? cheers.

[Para]

Buy a knife ?

[Gavac220]