Headlights aren't working

cormac · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:41 am Post subject:

Yea i have already taken off that bit of wiring and im picking up a second handlight switch and a head light flasher switch. I will check the ground wires. Cheers

thatvwbusguy · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:56 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a combination of a bad headlight switch and perhaps bad grounds as well. The only possible reason that I can see for tapping into the running lights to pull power for the headlights would be a bad switch (still a sketchy and ill advised hack though).

I would start by replacing the headlight switch and putting all of the wiring behind the grill running to the headlights back to stock. Inspect all of the wires and connectors closely since they have been messed around with already.

If the high beam relay clicks, but the lights don't turn on you might have a bad ground to the high beams. I would try to sort out the main beams first and then visit the high beam issue afterward when it is easier to eliminate more variables.

cormac · Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:56 pm Post subject:

I have only just got his 89 1.6turbo D and have just noticed that when i turned on the lights the head lights came on straight away. I had no side lights (runnig lights) so i took off the front grille and saw that the head lights were taped into the side lights wiring so that is why they came on when i only put the switch on one click, So i disconnected that wire, so now i have no head lights. I also have no high beam. I took out the head light switch and if i put power to the head light wire the lights come on and if i put it onto the high beam wire the relay clicks in but i get no high beam! any ideas.. Shocked

otiswesty · Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:46 pm Post subject:

Last week I went to drive home from work and my headlights would not come on. The 5w city light was on in each headlight lens and the brights would come on if I held up the stalk. Very similar to the OP. I drove home using my fog lights with the city lights on. I replaced the headlight switch yesterday and everthing is back on. $48 for a new switch at Halsey Motors, its nice to have a good parts source in town instead of mailordering and dealing with shipping and PITA returns.
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1988 T3 Syncro Single cab

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jacob. · Samba Member Joined: August 10, 2009 Posts: 802

TUFF · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 5:26 pm Post subject:

Bulb is OK, wondering if it is the Light switch - other posts say if wipers and hetaer fan work, it must be the light switch. Thanks

thatvwbusguy · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 4:41 pm Post subject:

Bad bulb? Start with the simple stuff.

TUFF · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:09 pm Post subject: Left headlight out on Low beam

My challenge is th left low-beam does not come on. Wipers work, and heater fans work. Fuse 10 good. Any suggetsion ?

GWTWTLW · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:17 am Post subject:

That's also a good way to raise or lower power windows without the ignition on too...
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claytonic · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:59 am Post subject: Thanks

Thanks for the speedy replay
I was not looking for ward to chasing gremlins!

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:36 am Post subject: Re: Head light and fans

This is normal. With the key off but headlight switch all the way on, only the running lights are on. If you turn on the heater fan nothing happens. Then flash the high beams and the heater fan will spin. It has nothing to do with adding the relays.

Mark

claytonic · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 8:09 am Post subject: Head light and fans

I have the same thing going on after a relay install. Dam it nothing is simple!

I was wondering if this is normal
If you have
the key off
running lights on (not the head lights )
heater fan switched on
and flash the high beams
do your heater fans come on ?

Mine do, now at least don't know if this was the case before?

Thanks

singler3360 · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:20 pm Post subject:

Ok, the new high beam assembly and headlight switch arrived today. Didn't even need to take the headlight switch out of the package, the culprit was the high beam switch. Westapotamous finally has [brighter] lights again. Yessss!

jacob. · Samba Member Joined: August 10, 2009 Posts: 802

I installed a used headlight switch I got at a wrecking yard for 20 bucks. Headlights came right back on. Now on to the relays.
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singler3360 · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

jacob. · Samba Member Joined: August 10, 2009 Posts: 802

singler3360 · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:19 am Post subject:

OP indicates in a PM he has not resolved this issue yet. I just ordered new headlight AND high beam (wiper/washer assembly) switches from VC. I'll try the high beam first and will report back the results. It will be next week most likely before I report in. In the meantime, I'm tempted to wire the yellow and white wires back together, bypass the relays, to see if the problem persists. Has anyone done this already?

kevtherev · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:19 am Post subject:

I too am interested in who the culprit was

singler3360 · Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:45 pm Post subject:

Jacob, what finally resolved this for you? I currently have the same problem. Thanks.

youremyboyblue · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:32 am Post subject:

...

10) take a break and come back to it > beer
11) repeat steps 1-10
12) swap bulbs > realized bulb does not work on functional side
13) kick dirt that a day was wasted over a bad bulb > unwarranted bad feelings toward vendor and self
14) put old lower power bulbs in while wating for replacement > light from both headlights on low or high

so now that i have learned a bunch and have light, i have some poltergeist business going on ...

while driving, the driver's interior light flickers on accompanied by loss of power and dimmed headlights/interior. i'm troubleshooting a bit of a hunting idle but, the interior light flickering while in the light when door open position is not only new but, mysterious. i thought that i had read something about this issue with the flickering interior in another headlight thread but, am at a loss to find it currently.

any help is appreciated!


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