Headlights don't work

I used my headlights for the first time last night and found out that they do not work. The park lights, dash lights, and tail lights are fine. The fuses look good and since both lights are out, I do not think that the headlight bulbs are bad. Anyone ever had this problem with their VS? Thanks!

Sometimes it can be hard to see that a fuse may be blown, replace it anyway.
Could also be the headlight switch itself but I doubt it. You can check this ( with the switch in the off position) by running a jumper wire from the power (hot) side of the switch to the headlight terminal on the switch.
The headlight power lead runs from the headlight switch to a relay (activates the high-low beams) maybe a connector worked lose.
If you have floor mounted manual high beam switch, the power wire also runs from the headlight switch down to one of three connectors on the floor switch, the other connectors go to high and low beams

James,

My headlight switch has a fuse on the switch. Go under the dash and check. That was the source of my headlight problem. I see you have a newer VS but still worth a check.

BTW who does have a headlight switch with a fuse and what type of VW did it come in originally?
Dave

Headlight switch with a piggy back fuse is an aftermarket type available form NAPA etc.

As Alan said, check the dimmer switch and if it's OK then check your ground

Also check the connectors at the light switch one could be lose .

But I would just in case try plugging in a spare bulb and simply do a unplug and plug it in test.

Could be a lose/dirty/missing ground too. See if there is 12V at the back of the bulbs. Problem with alot of the wiring harnesses is they aren't built for non-metalic vehicles and ground wires need to be added.

If this is a 2008 VS (?), call VS.

Yelp Just like Corvette's these cars have to have extra grounds ME as a rule of thumb I put 2 grounding points on every circuit. I wire m


Mine is grounded on both sides of the beam and they share the common circuit.

Confirm fuse condition. Confirm good ground connections.
Try a test light at the headlight plug(s) the VS harness H/L hot wires are: white/low and blue/high.
If nothing then do a test light at the relay. Then test light at the hot side of the headlight fuses on the fuse block. Still nothing ? Then test light at the power in and power out on the headlight switch....other than a faulty directional high-beam stalk switch
(this only triggers the H/L relay) It has to be at one of those connections. ~Alan

Thanks for all the good ideas. I have contacted the dealer and he will support me taking it to a local repair shop, but I am still curious. When I depress the dimmer switch, the headlights come on, but stay on only the time that is takes the relay to click. Does this help solve the mystery?

Directional stalk mounted ( triggers relay) or floor mounted manual switch?

It is an integrated button on the turn signal handle

OK, go back up a few posts and do the simple tests I described.

If its wired like European cars - with the headlight switch off, the turn signal "dimmer" operates to flash the headlights (for warning to move over "schnell" - used for overtaking). When the headlight switch is turned on - it should pull in the extra relay activating the high beams.

Good advise! With the headlight switch on, the low beams will come on. If I click the high beam switch again, the headlights go out. I have not had a chance to do the other tests yet. At least I do have low beams now.

It's a bad dimmer relay stuck in mid swing from hi to low ,,replace it.. yourself.... But shop for a high quality part..!!!

Guy's where should he shop for that?.. I tried a Cip unit in my beetle and wound up back in the bug bone yard in under a week ... the cip-1 part did the same thing as yours... DaizeZAPOOO..!!

Now Me I like the Bosch you just cant beat a real German made part But if it's made in China your wasting time and money..