RS2 electric window switches

[LHD]

I want to get into the armrest to troubleshoot the switches and have done some searching on here to find the procedure. When I look under the armrest I see two holes as described however these seem to lead to nowhere ie there are no screws in them and when I try probing them they seem to lead directly into the armrest. There's another single screw on the left upper inside of the armrest and removing this still leaves it obviously fixed.

Has anyone removed the armrest on an RS2 and is it different than S2 Avant/Coupes?

[Efini]

Don't know if it's different from other models, but this is how I do my RS2 ones:

1. The outer part of the armrest is pulled off with brute force, and you will suddenly be sitting there with this in your hands:


2. And the door will be left with this:


Then it's just a matter of removing these screws and there are your switches!

[LHD]

Can't thank you enough for that, it was the outer part that was puzzling me. Don't like the sound of the brute force bit though!

[LHD]

Well thanks to Efini's tip I managed to get it in bits and check out the switches. Sadly it looks like it isn't the switch but the common relay fault that occurs. Not sure where to find the relay on a LHD car though. Does anyone know?
I was also hoping to change the bulbs that illuminate the mirror adjustment switches. Fat chance they are a sealed unit- much to my annoyance.

Sometime I wonder if owning an older car is worth the hassle, then I take it out for a drive and realise it's worth every scraped knuckle, every niggling fault to own such a vehicle. Put simply modern cars have no character compared to my RS2.

[Skull]

the mirror adjustment switches bulbs can be replaced. it is quite easy. i will post the guide...

it is in slovenian language, but i think the pics says it all.

http://www.favdl.com/content/view/29/91/

[Efini]

When opening that unit, please stay in a controlled environement!!

I opened it in my car and bits went flying everywhere, I've still to find everything..

[Skull]

Yes i wrote that, you just dont speak enough Slovene.

[LHD]

Skull, you and Efini are what make a forum like this so great. Will have a crack at it tommorrow.

Thanks

Sam

[Lloyd]

STOP!!!!

Brute force is NOT the way to do it.

Martyn from VAG parts posted a how to do it on this forum somewhere after
spending some 6 hours figuring it out. You need something like a 4 mm allen key
in two of the holes and driver in the others.

Have a search on the forum before breaking your handles!

If it's hard (or near seemingly impossible) to find the allen head it's cos the guide tubes
have been knocked out of line. It's actually fairly easy when you read his post.

Try this http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthr...highlight=tube

[Efini]

STOP!!!!

Brute force is NOT the way to do it.

Martyn from VAG parts posted a how to do it on this forum somewhere after
spending some 6 hours figuring it out. You need something like a 4 mm allen key
in two of the holes and driver in the others.

Have a search on the forum before breaking your handles!

If it's hard (or near seemingly impossible) to find the allen head it's cos the guide tubes
have been knocked out of line. It's actually fairly easy when you read his post.

Try this http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthr...highlight=tube

Well.. I'm reading this post and I don't really understand anything.
I'm still saying; rip that armrest off! Use a small screwdriver in the two small holes underneath to make it a little easier.

I'm beginning to wonder if the RS2-armrests are different form the coupe ones?

[LHD]

I'm with you, I used the method you described and there was no allen key bolts anywhere on the piece that snaps (hopefully not an unfortunate choice of word) on and off. The idea of a couple of screwdrivers in there to help prise it off is a good one though.

[Lloyd]

This method IS for an RS2. BTDT as had to replace an electric window switch drivers side. You need a 4mm allen key to undo the front two fixings on the grab handle, philips for the back one. All accessed from underneath. then switches can be changed with door card on no probs.

Knicked this off another post as a guide

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/attachm...tid=2731&stc=1

Also copied this from another post:
You shouldn't need to remove the whole door card to change the window switches though - removing the front part of the door pull/armrest should be enough. IIRC there's a screw fixing at the rear of this & 2 allen keys at the front. The allen key fixings are awkward as access is concealed & you end up fishing around for the right angle to undo them. Just loosen them enough to pull the handle off the brackets.

another:
Use ball end allen wrenches to make the job a bit easier. Just take your time and keep poking at different angles until you get it in (that's what she said)...

Oh, BTW, the front door grab handles have two very hidden recessed allen bolts holding on the grab handle!! they can be a bitch!!

In summary, yeah - it's a pig of a job BUT when you find the socket for the allen key ir's a doddle! And you don't break your grab handles in the process.

[Lloyd]

Duplicate

[Skull]

no way. never ever seen any sort of bolts under there on avants + limo. just pull off.

[Nuvo]

In my experience, I'd agree 100% with Lloyd on this. It's the same setup for the saloon/avant/coupe.