Audi 80/90 Steering column switches

[Tom Nas]

Hi all,

I've discovered yesterday that the early-type (square stalks, '86-'89) and 
late-type (rounded stalks, tip-contact for wipers, '89-on) steering column 
switches for the 80 and 90 are not interchangeable unless you change the 
wiring.

My switches were acting up (wipers sometimes dead, no windscreen washers, 
no flash-to-pass and no high beam) so I started looking for a replacement. 
I'd already noticed that the type 89s in the local yards here didn't have 
the switches anymore (common problem?) so I was really happy when the local 
yard told me an 80 just came in, and the switch was mine for Dfl 75 (new 
one is 300). The car was the same year and even the same colour as mine, 
and as the battery was still in it I could test the switch. I took it out, 
for some reason also taking the steering column surround (which looked 
similar to the one in my car).
My car, as an '87, is supposed to have the square-type stalks, but for some 
reason it has the rounded type. No problem, thinks me, just put the old one 
back and I'll be OK...

Having removed my steering wheel and the old swich assembly, I wanted to 
put the 'new' stalks in the 'old' steering column surround. First mistake! 
The fixing points are in completely different locations, no way that's 
gonna work. I put the old one back and start putting the connectors back on 
the switch- they don't fit. The new switch assembly has two 
similarly-shaped connectors, while the old one has irregularly-shaped 
contacts, looking like there should be three connectors.

Now I can of course go to the dealership, buy the connectors and start 
rewiring my car, or I can start looking for another late-model switch 
assembly (very rare!). Either way- watch what you're doing when you're 
switching components between years.

One happy coincidence- when I put the old switch back and tested the 
functions, I'd noticed a running water sound under the car when I tried the 
windscreen washers. The washer hose had parted company with the pump union. 
Twenty minutes later, I had my washers back.

Tom