I've gone all limp (indicator stalk repair)

[The_Hawk]

So when I got in the van today I noticed that the indicator stalk has gone a little limp. I'm not 100% sure if it's the left or right action, but I would guess left being it feels sloppier on the down movement.

In any case I'm guessing that it's in need of replacement. Has anyone done this before on a T5.2??

I'm assuming I need to remove the airbag, steering wheel and cowling on the column then the needed bits... so any advice on any of those would be appreciated.

Also, any ideas on where I might pick one up (other than the dealers)?

I need the one with cruise control, rear wiper and trip computer support. My best guess is it's part number: 6Q0 953 513 BB (possibly the 9B9 Satin Black variant of that).

[Sunny43.5]

You might be better to source a complete kit from the Uk I have purchased 3 for the same one as yours one with trip etc and two without from VW Teeside VW Direct - Online Shop - Transporter T5.1 GP 2010 - 2013 Retrofit Cruise Control As you already have had one it should be an easy job to swap over the broken part . MAKE sure you select the correct one to match your original .

[LogicprObe]

Yeah.......UK is best for a lot of stuff.
It's a pity a lot of them won't ship to Australia!

[Sunny43.5]

Follow up for The Hawk the units I fitted are genuine VW and you get the complete assembly with cruise control and trip all on a one piece change over unit , yes remove airbag easy to remove and then unbolt wheel be VERY careful with clock spring assembly , whatever you do don,t do what I did with my work van . Removed clock spring and was fascinated by how it worked , only problem was during my play with it I rotated it half a turn or so from the removed position . When I refitted it the first time I turned the steering wheel to a full turn it ripped the tape wire clean off the thing as it only rotates a set distance in each direction DOH . Naturally the next two I did came out perfect with no issues [once bitten twice shy ]

[The_Hawk]

So things didn't go quite as planned. By Thursday things had deteriorated to a point where my Wife (given it's her car and all) couldn't live with it anymore since it would set off the indicator over every bump... so ordering from overseas and playing with it was less of an option.

Volkwerke came to the rescue and ordered one locally for me and fit it... The new one is beautiful.

Out of interest, I asked if I could keep the busted up part so I could pull it apart for your viewing pleasure (and because I was interested in what actually broke).

So this is the part made out of unicorn tears:


And the inside:


Getting closer:


At this point I still can't find any loose plastic bits or clearly cracked pieces...

So as I dug further in I find this little slider piece:


A little clip later and it slides out neatly, all in one piece...


The spring behind it a little less so:




So after all the expense and trouble, this isn't a worn piece of plastic giving up the ghost and snapping off, a busted contact or anything more than a simple failed spring.

For what I can only assume would be a few cents (even a couple of bucks for me to buy a single one from a local ... ummm... spring guy??) it would be possible to fix this unit.

I've kept the busted spring with a view to hunt up a new one (not that I need it right now). If I ever do that I'll post back with results. If nothing else I hope I save someone else the cost of a pretty expensive part for the want of a single spring!

[Sunny43.5]

What did they slug you for the unit out of interest .

[The_Hawk]

A shade over $500, receipt is out in the car and it's cold out there

[LogicprObe]

Well done on the pullapart.
Even to have a spring custom made is not very much, if you have the rough specs.