Author Topic: Lost the high beams........ (Read 5198 times)

Patrick · « **on:** December 26, 2007, 04:20:52 pm »

1992 Jetta. Last time this happened to me in one of these cars, changing the headlight switch solved the problem. No dice on this car. Both high beam fuses are good, low beams work fine. The manuals I have (two haynes and two motor/age) don't tell me if there's a headlight relay and if there is, what number is it? Am I looking at a bad dimmer switch? Both lights quit working at the same time.

Patrick · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2007, 02:13:58 pm »

Anyone? Checked the bulbs today just for the heck of it, both look fine..........

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2007, 04:06:34 pm »

There's no relay on an A2:

Fuses -> headlight switch -> dimmer stalk -> bulbs

If you're sure your fuses are fine, and your headlight switch is fine, and the bulbs are fine, that pretty much leaves the stalk.... and since it's a moving part it's suspect !!

When you toggle the stalk do you hear a "click-clack" ?? Can you flash the hi beams, even with just the running lights on, by pulling the dimmer stalk all the way ?? Does the blue "hi beam" dash light come on in either scenario ??

Have a peek and let us know what you find....

Vince

Patrick · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2007, 04:57:29 pm »

Switch feels fine and sounds like it's supposed to. Can't get high beams at all. Came to the same conclusion though.........
Going to try one more thing, change the headlight switch (again) with one in another car.

smutts · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2008, 07:30:21 am »

Get someone who is good with electrickery to put in relays for the headlights. VW's wiring is wretched stuff. The switches tend to get resistive and melt too. Good Luck

Patrick · « **Reply #5 on:** February 25, 2008, 03:05:28 am »

Guess I'm going to have to tear into it and chase wires. I changed the stalk this weekend, still no high beams. Indicator works..............

I'm confused!! Why did I lose both at the same time if the switch and the stalk aren't the problem?

LoneWolf · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2008, 01:26:05 pm »

are you on the standard light or a golf front end?

Patrick · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2008, 03:07:53 am »

Over here they're the same. I've got two rectangular headlights with (I think) 9004 bulbs

somolovitch3 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2008, 04:33:30 am »

Just for grins, have you applied 12 volts to the bulb of one and see if they both come on? Checking that the connectors are good as well as the bulbs.

Bentley says,(Yes he showed up!) to apply 12 volts to the white wire in the connector that feeds the switch (Blue 10 position connector) and see if the high beams come on. You said that the indicator works correctly.

Did you check to see what elements in the lamps are working? If the ground wire goes bad, (both headlights use the same single ground wire)
you will have a "low" appearing beam that stays the same in both high or low switch possition.

When you say no High beams, low beams and No Light in high, or just low all the time?

Should have asked that first. :twisted: If low all the time, see above.

Keep us informed as to the results and final fix.

Patrick · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2008, 03:26:33 pm »

Low beams on daytime running lights, slightly brighter on low beam (on). Lights go out when the high beams are turned on (other than the indicator)

fatmobile · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2008, 01:56:07 am »

How are the contacts on the plug that plugs into the high beam switch on the steering?
I had a guy with no headlights, the contact had pushed back and melted the plug.

Patrick · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2008, 02:53:44 am »

Thanks guys, lots to check this weekend. I'll tear back into stuff with my tester.............. Didn't notice the connector, but the terminals on the switch I took out look good.

Author Topic: Lost the high beams........ (Read 5198 times)

LoneWolf