Mk1 Golf Headlight Problem

I've been running my restored and original mk1 golf for nearly 7 years. The other day I went to turn on the headlights, and nothing. On closer inspection the sidelights work fine and the full beam works fine. I've done the routine check of the bulbs, fuses and connections at the headlights and the switch on the dash. All seems fine.

Can anyone suggest what's causing a problem with only the main beam, while the full beam is still OK? I'm very confused…

Have you tried a new/ different headlight switch thats on the right hand side of the dash ?

The headlight feed from the light switch goes via a relay which you can hear click when you operate the H/L flash / main beam switch. Unfortuanately the manual does not designate the relay position. Also some golfs have dimm/dip on low beam. There is a tubular resistor on the r/h side rear of engine bay which can go open circuit.
Keep smiling. J

I had a look at the back of the switch, and there was an unused pin - I hunted around for a disconnected wire but no luck. I am assuming that 1 pin on the back of the switch is how it's ment to be.

So onto the relays. I found a relay - which according to the Haynes manual (arg) operates the fogs lights. I can hear it click when I switch the sidelights on/off. I assume this is OK, but I haven't located the relay for full beam. Any ideas where it's located? There is no mention of it anywhere in the manual.

I'm also interested in this inline resistor - I don't ever recall seeing one, can you be more specific about where to find it. My car is an 83 campaign - totally original spec.

I recently removed battery to charge overnight, so I suspect something could have blown when I reconnected. Thanks for all help.

OK I've got my headlights back. I still don't know what the cause of the problem was, but I followed steps I found on another thread relating to the full beam stalk -
The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

When I shorted the plug going into the stalk the dipped lights came on fine, and when I shorted them for the full beam they worked too. Then when I pluged my old stalk back in, everything still worked - hence I'm still confused..!

Did I trip somethings when I reconnected the battery, or just a bad connection at the stalk…? I hate fixing things without knowing what the cause really was!!!

The problem will come back again my friend, the problem is that the rear of the ignition switch is wearing.

My 89 Clipper (didnt know your car when I made the post) has / had this resistor mounted right side of engine bay back in the corner near the bulkhead. It always troubled me that the dipped beam was so poor. Can't find it in the Haynes but my car is original spec…..anyway took it out of circuit and bingo excellent dipped beam.
I think maybe about that time dim/dip was all the rage goodnes knows why, I think the idea died eventually. Perhaps 83 was too early.
Cheers J.

golf1 said

The problem will come back again my friend, the problem is that the rear of the ignition switch is wearing.

When you say ignition switch, what exactly are you refering to? I know there's an ignition relay (bottom left of fuse box), but what else should I replace if it happens again?

No, strip off the lower cowl and look behind the alloy ignition assembly, you should see a white big plastic push on lug. The lug incorporates a common switch but is of low quality and needs replacing every now and again. If the switch fails you won't get main beam (often intermittent)

I've done a bit of digging on how to replace this. Any idea if it's an easy job on an 83 campaign? Some say it needs to be drilled out, and others say it's just a bolt on/off job of all the steering col parts. Much appreciated.

From what I can recall all you do is undo the allen key, remove the steering wheel, make sure the key is in the ignition on positon and tap off with a hammer, then you will be able to remove the rear lug, but I'm sure it is possible to remove that screw although at a stuggle. Best take a look for yourself.

Cool, sounds simple enough. I'll track down a spare part first, then have a look. Thanks again for all the advice.