[sskoda]

My new (to me!) 156 has a few small issues. I'd like to get them sorted so I can fully enjoy the car. One by one I'd like to go through them, and get them sorted.

First up is this: The front overhead/courtesy light. It's either on permanently, or off. I can't find a function to make it switch off when the car is locked (like the rears do) or come on when I get in (cue fumbling in the dark for the keyhole!). There are three positions on one switch (I think for light side/both on option) and three on the other, which I think should be on, courtesy on, off. But it isn't. Is it broken - is it a common problem? If so, how do I fix it? New switch?

 

[Guest]

Try your door micro switches for a good electrical connection and see if the switches are clicking correctly... Some silicon lubrication spray can get them working again if they are sticky

 

[sskoda]

^the rear courtesy lights are working perfectly though when I open/close the doors...

 

[Guest]

I'd guess the light unit is shot as the rear one runs off the same wiring so they should both work together.

 

[Guest]

Breakers yard may be the next port of call mate.... It should be easy enough to grab a courtesy light unit for a fiver or so

 

[sskoda]

Strangely seems to have fixed itself tonight. OK no-one touches the light, ever!


Next one: rear wiper (it's a wagon) doesn't work. Squirty thing does. Is it a broken wire somewhere, or whats the common problem here?

 

[alfa156mike]

rear wiper is a commen problem, sticky motor.
im currently suffering this, its an easy fix as ive read/searched on this forum a case of taking it out and cleaning and oiling it.
good luck with the sw, ive had mine a week and loving all its little niggles lol. hope you get it sorted.

 

[sskoda]

excellent, thanks for the info

 

[sskoda]

Next one:

A couple of days ago (and after thinking, 1300 miles and no electrical faults!) the central locking had a spaz attack. It refused to stay locked, kept popping up, then after a few goes, it stopped working totally so it was just the one door locking. I haven't got remote by the way, as the keyfob switch needs repaired but i only have one key, so I can't send it away.
Anyway it acted like that on both sides, but after a few moments returned to working normally. Any ideas?

 

[sskoda]

Recently I had a "light out" light pop up, and stay on for three weeks. Traced it as the drivers sidelight, and forgot to sort it out. A couple of days ago I noticed the light on the cluster wasn't coming up, and it hasn't since.
Self-repairing lightbulbs as standard??


Front door locks/buttons are sticking in quite often (50%) just a matter of lubricating? Probably a silly question, but always like to check in case I'm missing something.

Am also looking into front bumper options, it's been badly repainted so needs replaced ideally, or modified. GTA one and most aftermarket options are gash. Might make my own.

Managed to accidently put a couple of litres of diesel into the tank. Put 20 litres of super unleaded in to boost the octane, but it didn't work, so I've had half the engine stripped down tonight, cleaned the injectors out and draining the tank, hopefully will sort it out.

 

[sprint_veloce]

I have the same problem on my v6 wagon (keyfob switch, not filling it with diesel). If you dismantle the key you should be able to take out the circuit board with the faulty microswitch and sent it away (if needed - might be somewhere local?) then you can keep using the car, just without remote locking which doesn't work anyway so no change there, while the key is sorted. To get the key apart, remove the battery and holder, then prise out the little alfa badge with a small screwdriver or similar and undo the screw hidden underneath it. All will then be revealed.

 

[rgwm]

Front door button sticking isn't unusual......small bits of grit get in and start jamming them. I usually spray with WD40 and repeatedly push/pull the button in and out. cleaning off the gunge with a tissue.....

 

[sskoda]

Cheers guys. I have plans to fix my keyfob (it just needs the microswitch soldered from what I've seen) and lubricate (with silicone or graphite spray; they stick better than wd40).
Got everything apart and cleaned last night on the engine but still no start. off to investigate immobilser issues now and see if the battery going flat could be causing the non-start now.