Hello people, first off thanks for reading this! I just picked up my "new" 1988 Mk2 GTi 16V. I have a major problem with the headlights (4-light grill) When I put the dashboard switch to position 1, the side lights glow and the low powered function thingy for the dipped beam comes on. When I put the dashboard switch to position 2, the low powered function thingy for the dipped beams go out and the sidelights remain on. That's it...the dipped beams do not come on with the switch in position 2, just the(useless) low-powered version of them (yes I am sure it's not just rubbish dipped beam...there is no beam from this what so over, its just like having an additional set of side lights!) When I go to put main beam on (with the switch in any of the positions 0,1,2) with the steering wheel stalk, I pull it back, the dipped beam come on properly and the main beam light units spring into life, but I have to hold it there as it doesn't lock. (no problems with bulbs/fuses then). I am assuming thatthe stalkdoesn't lock, not because the stalk is broken, but because the dipped beam aren't working properly via the dash-board switch and the car simply thinks it's doing a headlight flash...in my other car(a saxo)moving the stalk will flash the headlightsUNLESS the dipped beams are on, then it will put mian beam ON instead of simply flash it, i.e. the stalk will only click into position when dipped beam is on Basically, I'm hoping that it's the dashboard switch, but I cannot get hold of one this weekend so please, please post your comments and ideas about what you think the problem is here! Many, many thanks!
Replace the switch before you do anything else, the stalk doesn't lock back it just clicks mian beam on & off
That's what I meant sorry, when no lights/side lights are on it does main beam flash, and when dipped beam is on it does main beam/dipped beam toggle! So you think it could be a chance that it's down to the simple 3-position switch on the dash?
I recon its most likely, there are no relays or anything like that. The only other thing it will be is wiring or the dipped beam filement in the bulbs has blown It might be worth taking the switch out and having a look at the wiring back there, perhaps it has melted in the past?
But when I do a main beam flash the dipped beams spring into life too! Just had the switch off, all the wires behind look fine but I need to do it properly come Monday evening when I have some spare time then I can compare with Haynes to see if any wires are missing, and try the switch and wires out with my circuit tester. Also, might it be a problem with the stalks...I notice that the wiper one was replaced in June, and that is wired up wrong in my opinion: pull and nothing happens apart from the noise of a motor trying to work. push and the front washers come on AND the rear wiper comes on! Somoene didnt know what they were doing, could it have been that they messed up the headlight stalk whilst replacing the wiper one you think? Edited by: mr_roggger
Tis possible the stalks are fubared I spose! But the headlight switch is much easier to change When you pull the stalk towards you the main & dipped beams are supposed to come on tegether Edited by: rubjonny
The main and dipped do both come on but do not lock on (so it just flashes them)...I am assuming this is because the dipped are not on via the switch, so the stalk is working in "flash" mode, not "toggle main/dipped" mode! Could it be just some wires not connected to the stalks correctly?
Yes that is how it is supposed to work The stalks don't 'lock' as such, when the main beams are switched on normally the dipped beams are not on at the same time, but while the stalk is held towards you either to flash or while switching on the main beam they both come on together. It sounds to me like the switch is broken and not switching to dipped beams properly. Just replace it then see what happens
The dash switch yes? But this switch must be working "a bit" as when I put it to position number 2 (dipped beam), the dim-dip headlights switch off as I believe they should, but the dipped headlights dont switch on. I read that the power for the dipped beam is routed through the main beam stalk, hence that's why I thought it might be one of the connectors on that, plus the fact that that has been off recently to enable some dodgy mechanic to replace the wiper stalk! Any idea what each of the 7 pins on the indicator/dip/mian flash stalk are for on my '88 mk2 GTi? See: http://volkswagen.msk.ru/vw_doc/eva2/EE01/ch10.1.html Edited by: mr_roggger
Yes the dash switch, its no good working 'a bit', you want it to work 'a lot' All the power for the dim & main beam normally goes through the dash switch, which is why it isn't a good idea to use high wattage bulbs as it can burn out the loom and/or the switch. Only when you hold the stalk back to flash the lights does power go through the stalks. By all means replace the stalks, but I'm just saying the switch is easiest & cheapest to do (pocket sized if you go to a scrappy ) and is more likely to be the problem.
Thankyou! I am very busy with work until tomorrow evening, after that I will try to get a multimeter on the dash switch and wiring and see if I can suss anything. Then if needs be replace the dash switch, then if needs be replace the stalk switch (wheel's gonna have to come off sometime as I need to sort out the bloody wiper switch!). I'll let you know how it goes from tomorrow evening onwards, thanks for the help, I'm probably not done with you yet though!
Argh! Finally got my hands on a new switch, but it's not quite the correct one, it is part number SWF 501.341 rather than SWF 501.223. It has some additional/different connectors on it; 58L, 58R, 30, 58, 56, X are the same but it has 56D instead of 58b, NSL instead of 31, 58e instead of 56D, 31 where original has a blank and 58b where original has a blank! Time to consult wiring diagrams I think! Swear I ordered the right switch, "Headlight switch for mk2 gold with dim-dip, '84-'88...so I plugged it in and gave it a go but it had the same effect as the old one, no dipped beam, but this time with the addition of somke coming from the switch! Ideas!?
Scrub that part number, it's wrong, essentially mine ends in a C and the only one they had ended in an M. I have some spare time this weekend and will get my circuit tester and Haynes manual out again, see if it really is the dash switch as something's telling me it's not...the fact that that wiper stalk's been replaced recently just hints to me that someone knackered-up the dip-flasher/indicator stalk...
Update: Well, pin 31 creates a circuit with all of the other pins in the wiring loom/connector for the dash switch, so no breaks in the wires, as I suspected. Dash switch seems fine, position 1: making a circuit with a whole load of 58's(58, 58b, 58L, 58R) connectors (side lights) and 56D (not shown in Haynes manual for my switch but I think it's my Dim-Dip cuicuit). When the switch is put to position 2: 58's remain making a circuit, but 56D stops (dim-dip goes out) and circuit with connector 56 springs into life (headlight circuit), but as you know, when it's connected the bloody headlights dont come on! Off with the steering wheel then, I'll let you now how it goes, but if anyone's got any ideas post them asap thanks! *Edit* Checked the stalk connections now, all seems fine, now its started raining so that's put pay to any more work for today, might take it to a friendly garage I know of on Monday, see if they can sort it as it's seriously p****** me off now causing me to lose my patience lol! Edited by: mr_roggger
Thanks for the link, looks very involved and it's not yet clicked with me how to use it (Electrical novice here) Anyway, surley if all lights come on (dipped and main) when I flash, there are no breaks in the wires and no blown fuses (also confirmed with my testing of the switch electrics)!? If this is not the case, please, please inform me! Is there something else with the fuses I dont know about?! Gonna get a new indicator stalk tomorrow, only 15 at GSF so will fit that, then if still no luck off to a garage with the car as I'm all out of ideas!...unless you have any more!?
think the stalk bypasses the fuses when you hold it towards you, and yes the fact that they both come on suggests the wires from the back of the fusebox to the lighs are ok, but it could still be damaged internally or the wires from the box to the switch may be damaged. Take out the dash surround and the undertray, this should give you a wee bit more access. Do you live anywhere near Bracknell?
Hmm, but the wires from the dash switch all make a circuit with the earth wire from the switch (pin 31 I think) so to me that says they are all routing back and via the fuse box with no problems? Going to go and get a new stalk in a bit! I live about an hour away, in Southampton.
After eventually sourcing the required 24mm socket (my set only goes up to 22) I removed the steering wheel and put in my new headlight/indicator stalk (and removed the plastic bit from the wipers so i can have intermittent when I get the relay), put everything back together just fine and the same damn problem...everything works fine bar the dipped beam! I have now given up I think, and have boked it in at a VW specialist Thursday morning! Anyone got any last minute suggestions before my wallet gets enveloped again? Edited by: mr_roggger
