Another dashboard lights question

I have asked this previously but got no response so thought I'd try again.

My dash lights work, the ciggy lighter light works, the heater control light works…what don't work are the switch bulbs. I know that the headlamp and hazard bulbs are changeable but are the switch bulbs on a different circuit to the other bulbs that are working. Could I have knocked something when I had the dash out or is it a case that all the switch bulbs went together..at the same time??

Came anyone provide a definative answer please?? Genuine switches are expensive to buy to see what is wrong :?
Ta.

Not sure Dano to be honest, although I don't think on separate fuse or anything. I'd be interested too. My switch lights all work - except for the headlight swtich. Turned out to be no bulb in there but fitting one made no difference!

I Think this is a problem with your the contacts on the back of your headlamp switch.  

You have two circuits for dash lights in the car. Not sure exactly how they split, but pull your headlight switch out, the very top contact should have 2 grey-with-blue-stripe wires. If there only one, then there's your problem

Just a guess.

Mike

I?ve a similar problem too :roll:  The light in my headlight switch has gone in my 91 Caddy. It uses these (see piccy), which my local dealer can?t find and EKTA shows various holders and bulbs but they don?t have any in stock and I?m not that keen on ordering the wrong parts. It?s marked as 12/1.2 (12v 1.2w) OSRAM and the VW Audi symbol but no part number. :x

The 1.2 watt bulb is available at Halfords but I?ve ruined two pulling them apart and trying to solder a new bulb in.

Anyone know what the magic number is to quote to my friendly neighbourhood parts girl :?:

I think my 83 GTI just had the bulb direct in the wiring socket with no additional plastic holder.

You need to test each switch in turn to see if the light in each one is working or not. The dash light is usually blue/grey wire and earth is brown.

I have ordered a new headlamp switch to be on the safe side and will re-new the buld in the plastic holder. The next thing is to check all of the above in turn.
Thanks to all

I know this is an ancient thread but I'm having similar problems. I have a 91 golf convertible. The dash lights don't work. This is bearable in the summer when you can see stuff, but in the winter it really is quite improtant to be able to see how fast you're going. The headlight switch works fine. The dimmer bit doesn't. So I thought it might be the bulbs which I replaced with new ones. No difference, I then bought a second hand switch from a breakers (amazingly VW no longer sell this part), still nothing. I'm starting to wonder whether I've got the right replacement bulbs. I might just go to a garage and get them to sort it. It's starting to annoy me (I also leave my lights on all the time because there's nothing to indicate they're on)

Anyone cracked this problem, give me a shout.

Cheers Goodo

Goodo - I've got an 85 Cabrio. Fairly recently I replaced most of the bulbs throughout the dash cos some were blown, some too dim.

If I remember rightly there's an earth connection behind the dash and radio. You might want to check that this is clean and secure.

Also - as mentioned earlier in this thread - some switches have an extra spade that is connected to loose wires, rather than into the plastic block connector. Might be worth checking that one of these isn't hanging loose.

My Cabrio has an extra push/pull connector to switch on/off the parking lights - it's mounted to the left of and below the steering wheel - does yours have this? I don't think it would affect the dash lights but….

Ali Cabrio

Cheers for the tips Ali. I'll check it out when I've got a moment to get the cluster out. BTW, where did you get your new bulbs from? I went to a motor factor and they had some bulbs which were the same rating, but didn't fit quite as easily.

Goodo

I got pretty much all the bulbs (and bulb holders) from VW in Chiswick (any VW dealer that does spares should be able to get hold of them).

I had a document with all the parts numbers but it vanished when my hard disk imploded.

There have been several threads on dash bulbs and bulb holders. You should be able to find the VW numbers in one of them.

Some of the replacement bulb holders are different from OE, in that they allow you to replace just the bulb, rather than having to buy another complete holder

Ali

I hadnt realised that I hadnt replied to this thread to finish my problem off.

All sorted on the lighting front.

The dash lights were fixed after removing the dash and (naughtly) leaving the battery connected and fiddling around with the printed circuit at the back. Once I'd found the problem, one bulb wasnt connecting properly, I jammed a small piece of wire inbetween and it worked perfectlyand has done for about a year now!!  

On the left hand switch side check that you dont have any cut wires like I did.  ops:  The lighting wires are white with a blue stripe.

GSF do headlamp switches… or did in September and I got mine for ?6.50

Hope that helps.

Dan