I'm at my wits end with this headlight thing. I have changed out the bright switch/turn signal switch and the headlight switch with known good working ones from the other Passat. I've changed out both bulbs and the headlight fuses and I still cannot get low beam headlights. I don't know what else to do. The passenger side light was working before and now it's not working either. Anyone got any ideas?
I would check the wiring and ground in the lights themselves. When I replaced the whole assemblies the wires inside were in bad condition. All the insulation was cracked and exposed the wire itself. That was in my 04 so I imaging the would be the same in an 01
I would also test the plugs where the bulbs go to see if you're getting power there. If not I would move onto the plug that hooks the lights
I would check the wiring and ground in the lights themselves. When I replaced the whole assemblies the wires inside were in bad condition. All the insulation was cracked and exposed the wire itself. That was in my 04 so I imaging the would be the same in an 01.
Depends on climate and storage, I think. My '01 has lived in a mild climate, garaged ~30% of the time, and the wiring and connections remain in good shape.
I am getting a good voltage at the bulb itself, and I was able to determine with a multimeter that I was getting no ground from the bulbs. Then I figured out that the bulbs were both blown. So I will be grabbing some new bulbs Tuesday and keep on from that point. I seriously hope that is the cause and not something in the headlight assembly harness itself.
Scott. I did change the bulbs but for some reason both of them were blown when I took them back out tony troubleshoot the wiring issues. They looked like the actual filament broke inside the bulb and they didn't look blown from overheating or from a fingerprint on the bulb itself. Don't know what happened unless the package of bulbs I got was just old.
Oil from your fingers shouldn't kill the bulbs that quick. I have touched bulbs on purpose and it didn't do a thing but maybe shorten the life expectancy of maybe a month but who knows.
If they were both blown I would replace one of them and see what happens. Then install the other side. Won't hurt to use a small dab of Dialectic grease on the new ones.
If I remember correctly. These bulbs were the ones that came with the TYC replacement headlight assemblies I bought for the car. So they may very well just be a cheap set of knockoff bulbs.
X's 3 on cheap bulbs if you bought new assemblies. Some places use shipping bulbs in the lights. Had it happen to me and confirmed it with the company I bought them from. My high beam lasted maybe 2 weeks. After confirming I changed them all out.
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