VW MK2 Dash and Heater lights

[NeuSpeedGTI]

As per the thread title my dash and heater lights have decided not to work anymore after the weekend for some reason. I have checked all my fuses and they seem good, and I even checked the current and voltage on the heater light connection and there is nothing comming through (grey/blue wires). Research through vortex.com etc suggests that it may be my dimmer switch attached to the headlights button, but I do not want to replace it if this is not the problem.
Has anyone else had this problem with their dash and heater lights?
If so what were your solutions?
Or could you recommend a good auto electrician in Melb who has experience with this model car?

Thanks.

[benough]

hahaha, mine never worked

[mikinoz]

Sounds like the switch. No voltage at the terminal means that is a given.

Would it be hard to find a second hand dimmer switch second hand in Melb? I'd say that is all it is and it can't be too expensive to get another, installation is very easy. The alternative is to bypass the dimmer altogether if it is possible to test.

[NeuSpeedGTI]

Yeah I think I will test the voltage and current leading into the switch and see if I can track down a dimmer switch over the weekend. I have definately seen a few on Ebay from the UK, not sure of the compatibility as I understand this can be an issue, but will research and will keep you posted on the outcome.

[NeuSpeedGTI]

Good news everybody. I have isolated the circuit break to the switch/dimmer.


Got one.. good old ebay!!

Just for anyone else.. search for Jetta headlight dimmer and make sure its a 10 prong!

[nick1234]

G'day people,

I just happened to see this ...

On my MK2 the lighting for the heaters stopped working a while ago and yesterday the light (next to the speedo) stopped working as well. It's funny that you mentioned the switch because I used to turn that little wheel to dimm the lights in the dashboard and when I did turn it again yesterday, everything just went off. Do you see a connection? Could it be the actual switch or maybe it's merely the lights in the dash that started to break after 25 years. Is it hard to replace - i.e. could I damage anything while I do that ;o) ?

Btw. love the new design on watercooled!!

CHeers guys.

- Nick

[NeuSpeedGTI]

Nick,

Sounds like the switch. The swich and housing just pops out of the dash, maybe use a flat head screw driver for a bit of leverage to start it off. Not too much damage to be done in swapping the switches around as far as I am aware.

Good way to check is to run a circuit between the red wire(2nd from the bottom on the left from memory) and blue/grey wire(very top left) on the housing which the dimmer switch prongs plug into. (essentially just bypassing the dimmer) If the lights in your dash go on its likely to just be the dimmer in the switch housing. Not sure that this is the best way to do it, but it seemed to work for me.

[nick1234]

Hello NeuSpeedGTI,

Thank's for that! I suppose that I'll start looking for a replacement switch already. For the moment, the speedo lighting is working, which is good. The light "next to it" (lighting the clock in earlier models) is still off though but I am mostly driving during daytime anyway, which gives me some time to figure it out ;o)

Again, thank's for the post and I'll post the result when I'm done ;o)

- Nick