Running lights not working

[barnjeff]

First off I want to thank everyone for the good information i have retrieved so far.

I have searched through the forum and I had a few questions. Currently my 2001 passat has no running lights.

Don't work:
Tail lights
license plate lights
front marker lights

Work:
head lights hi/low
blinkers/side markers
break lights

Using the forum I understand that it could be a fuse but which one?

also relay 173 or it could be the headlight switch.

I have checked all the fuses and they all seem ok. Above relay 173 there was a 20 amp fuse(hidden) that was blown what is this to? pulled out the relay and put it back in. Do relays go bad often? or am i better off looking that the headlight switch? lastly if it is the head light switch that is bad should i still get voltage to the fuse(which ever one it is) or will there be no power cuz the switch is no good.


Thanks for the help
sorry for the long post

[turbo 8283]

First off I want to thank everyone for the good information i have retrieved so far.

I have searched through the forum and I had a few questions. Currently my 2001 passat has no running lights.

Don't work:
Tail lights
license plate lights
front marker lights

Work:
head lights hi/low
blinkers/side markers
break lights

Using the forum I understand that it could be a fuse but which one?

also relay 173 or it could be the headlight switch.

I have checked all the fuses and they all seem ok. Above relay 173 there was a 20 amp fuse(hidden) that was blown what is this to? pulled out the relay and put it back in. Do relays go bad often? or am i better off looking that the headlight switch? lastly if it is the head light switch that is bad should i still get voltage to the fuse(which ever one it is) or will there be no power cuz the switch is no good.


Thanks for the help
sorry for the long post

the only thing relay 173 is for are the DRL,s(daytime running lights)low watt low beam

http://shakti.trincoll.edu/~sritchie...use_panel.html

[barnjeff]

Yes, Thank you I was doing some more playing around and noticed that my DRL low beams still worked when i pulled the e-break. I found a simple diagram for the relay and saw what was going on.

Is there anything else I should check before i buy a new switch?

one person told me that if my dash lights still work that it isn't the switch. are the dash lights and the tail lights, plate lights on the same pins?

[2L_Dub_PimP]

When you pull off your fuse cover it should have a diagram with the numbers

Fuses
Arrangement in Fuse Panel

Fuse colors
30 A
-
green
25 A
-
white
20 A
-
yellow
15 A
-
blue
10 A
-
red
7,5 A
-
brown
5 A
-
beige
3 A
-
violet

Fuse arrangement in fuse panel, behind instrument cluster, left

Fuse Arrangement In Fuse Panel

Fuses from S24 to S44 are identified with additional prefix 2, in wiring diagram.

Example: Fuse S40 on fuse panel is listed as S240 in wiring diagram.

Fuses:
1
-
Heated washer nozzle
5A
2
-
Turn signal system
10A
3
-
Light for glove compartment, air
conditioning, selector lever
5A
4
-
License plate light
5A


5
-
Instrument cluster, heated seats, cruise


control test plug, air conditioning
10A
6
-
Control module comfort system
5A
7
-
ABS
10A
8
-
Automatic headlight beam
adjusting, telephone system
5A


9
-
Heated Mirrors


10
-
CD changer unit
10A
11
-
Cruise control by automatic transmission
5A


12
-
B+(battery positive voltage) for on




board diagnostic (OBD)
10A
13
-
Brake lights
10A
14
-
Comfort system
10A
15
-
Instrument cluster, automatic transmission
10A
16
-
ABS/ASR
10A
17
-
Navigation
10A
18
-
Right headlight, high beam
10A
19
-
Left headlight, high beam
10A
20
-
Right headlight, low beam
15A
21
-
Left headlight, low beam
15A
22
-
Parklight, right
5A
23
-
Parklight, left
5A
24
-
Wiper system
25A


25
-
Fresh air blower, recirculating


control air conditioning
30A
26
-
Rear window defogger
30A
27
-
Rear window wiper system
15A
28
-
Fuel pump (FP)
15A
29
-
Engine control
20A
30
-
Sunroof
20A


31
-
Back-up lights, cruise control,


automatic transmission
15A
32
-
Engine control
20A
33
-
Cigarette lighter
15A
34
-
Engine control, injectors
15A
35
-
Trailer socket
30A
36
-
Fog lights
15A
37
-
Radio system, telephone system
20A
38
-
Comfort system
15A
39
-
Emergency flasher system
15A
40
-
Dual horn
25A
41
-
ABS
25A
42
-
free
25A
43
-
free
10A
44
-
Heated seats
30A

[Katydid]

I own a 2004 Passat, and encountered the same problem as "barnjeff".

Bottom line:Running lights/Parking lights (noticed these terms are used interchangeably), went out in front, back, as well as the lights over the license plate. The solution was to buy a new switch.

The switch was $40 at autopartswarehouse.com and it was received in less than 48 hours!

Add'l info: Before buying the switch, I tried to troubleshoot myself. I checked all of the fuses; all were good. I checked the connector behind the light switch; good. I even whipped-out the multimeter and some other electrical gadgets to ensure current was flowing where need be to all the fuses, and even punctured the insulation of the wire which controls the running lights (GREEN with RED tracing). All were in good working order, thus it had to be the switch. So, crossed my fingers in hopes that it was the answer and it was.

Good luck, folks!
Katy

[greentree8]

I own a 2004 Passat, and encountered the same problem as "barnjeff".

Bottom line:Running lights/Parking lights (noticed these terms are used interchangeably), went out in front, back, as well as the lights over the license plate. The solution was to buy a new switch.

The switch was $40 at autopartswarehouse.com and it was received in less than 48 hours!

Add'l info: Before buying the switch, I tried to troubleshoot myself. I checked all of the fuses; all were good. I checked the connector behind the light switch; good. I even whipped-out the multimeter and some other electrical gadgets to ensure current was flowing where need be to all the fuses, and even punctured the insulation of the wire which controls the running lights (GREEN with RED tracing). All were in good working order, thus it had to be the switch. So, crossed my fingers in hopes that it was the answer and it was.

Good luck, folks!
Katy

Katy, which switch did you replace? I have the same problem. Do you have a link?

Thanks!

-David