Hi All. First of all I must stress i`m no auto electrician so please keep it simple. My problem is that while driving, my 500 1.2sport 2008, with my headlights on, the full beam loves to flash itself at on coming traffic, with no help from me. I have been told that I need a new "steering column multi switch" and at the moment the relay for the full beam has been removed ( so I can still use the car at night). Please can anyone help me find the part as I have looked online and can`t find the right part anywhere. Thanks all...

I'd say you'll only get that part from a Fiat dealer. In most cars it's the complete unit behind the steering wheel including the indicators, headlights, wipers, washers and the stalks that control them - even the electronic control for intermittent wipers is usually part of it. I'd expect it to be expensive so it might pay to try and find one from a wrecker.

Perhaps a good auto-electrician could repair it?

Have taken the car to a Fiat dealer and because the problem is intermittent, when they plug it into their computer diagnostic system they see no problem. then start to give me a lesson on how to turn on the headlights !!!!

Spanish Fiat said:

Have taken the car to a Fiat dealer and because the problem is intermittent, when they plug it into their computer diagnostic system they see no problem. then start to give me a lesson on how to turn on the headlights !!!!

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Their computers wouldn't say there was a fault there even if it was happening in front of them unfortunately.

Only option is part new from Fiat, or used from a Scrap Yard tbh.

On Board Diagnostics won't help in this regard, as the failure mode of the switch is to turn on. I.e. it's no different to when you actually choose to turn it on, so how can a computer tell whether that's intentional, or not?

I do get amazed at how stupid some dealership (and independent) 'technicians' are in this regard. Blindly relying on diagnostics without using any intelligence at all.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Only option is part new from Fiat, or used from a Scrap Yard tbh.

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Yes, try your local scrap yard or even somebody breaking one on eBay. It has been known for people to hire an identical car for the day and change the parts over. I haven't done so and I am not suggesting you do.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_t...talks&_nkw=fiat+500+stalks&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Ivory or Black? eBay is your friend.

MN500 said:

It has been known for people to hire an identical car for the day and change the parts over.

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:nono:

Ebay is the way to go. There are many more broken 500's in the 'recycling system' than there are broken stalks on otherwise working cars, so prices will be reasonable, as bgunn's link confirms.