DASH HEATER PANEL WON'T LIGHT UP

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping that someone can help me get to the root of this little problem that's annoying the hell out of me…

My 1990 cabby dashboard heater panel won't light up when I switch the lights on - the current unit has a 2 pin connection on the back (not the bulb variety). All the other lights/switches & clocks light up fine. The fuses have been checked, and a friend checked the wiring and confirmed that there's a live feed running to the interior light and the heater panel - on his advice I replaced the heater panel with the same spec, but it still won't light up

My interior courtesy light will only work when the passenger door is open - otherwise, nothing

It's not a major problem, as the heater works just fine - but I'm hoping that someone can point me in the right direction.

Many thanks in advance 

Can you put a live feed to the heater panel to confirm that the replacement one has a working bulb? It seems daft that VW made it a sealed unit on the later cars rather than a bulb.

I wouldn't have thought that the problem would be linked to the courtesy light. Ref that issue, you may find that the door pin for the interior light on the driver's side just needs cleaning up, it's quite common. Just unscrew it from the door and give it a clean, re-fit, sometimes that's enough to sort it.

…..oh and thanks for joining up and paying for membership BertieBassett  

You'll have to get some photos up of your Mk1 - start a project thread.

Where in the UK are you?

Hi Andy,
Thanks for the advice - it's really niggling at me
I'm in South Wales - planning to give the cabby her first wax later today, so hopefully I'll get some pics up by this evening

Linda

The bulbs do go on the heater panels, you have 3 options…
1, Buy another new or 2nd hand heater panel with a working bulb.
2, Try and take the old one apart and replace the bulb.
3, live with it, do you really need to see how hot the heater is at night?

Mine stopped working for about 2 years then just started working again for 3 years untill this winter when it's stopped again !!  (I've owned my Mk1 for years!) 

BertieBassett said

Hi Andy,
Thanks for the advice - it's really niggling at me
I'm in South Wales - planning to give the cabby her first wax later today, so hopefully I'll get some pics up by this evening

Linda

You're welcome Linda. Where in South Wales are you? @mattnsusie is in Pembrokeshire so may be able to help you if you're close with the panel