[zuren]

My B5.5 has been in the garage for about a year and I'm getting it back on the road. I've repaired a number of nagging issues (reason that I stored it) but now I have a new one - no tail lights.

I have a Euro switch and all appears to work EXCEPT the steady tail lights when the switch is on:

- Headlights (work)
- Front fogs (work)
- Rear fog (work)
- Brake lights (work)
- Steady tail lights (do not work)

I've found info online that suggests it is the switch, but is there a write-up anywhere on troubleshooting the existing switch before I spring for a new one? I'm hoping it is the switch and not a vermin-chewed wire underneath somewhere.

Thanks!

 

[scotts13]

Original or aftermarket Euro Switch? Genuine ones are expensive, but fakes have a poor reputation for reliability.

 

[PZ]

Did you confirm the bulbs are still good?

 

[FrescoGreen01.5]

First question: do your dash lights work (the ones on the dimmer). The same contact in the headlight switch that switches the tail lights also switches the instrument dash lights.

Alternately, you could test the switch with an ohmmeter, check for voltage, or jumper the appropriate terminals of the switch connector (harness side).

The headlight switch terminals for the tail lights and dash lights are:
> Power in: 15/30, red wire
> Switched power out: 14/58R, green/red wire
(The terminals are probably numbered with one number or the other, not both, i.e. 15 or 30.)

The green/red wire switches power to the "hot" side of fuses 4, 22 & 23, which power the license plate lights, right marker lights, and left marker lights respectively. You can easily check for voltage at any of those fuses--if it's not there with the switch on, the switch is likely defective.

 

[zuren]

First question: do your dash lights work (the ones on the dimmer). The same contact in the headlight switch that switches the tail lights also switches the instrument dash lights.

Yes, the dash lights work and dim, but I'm having trouble remembering...are the adjusters at the air vents backlit? I thought they were but can't remember. They are not illuminated (if they are backlit)

Alternately, you could test the switch with an ohmmeter, check for voltage, or jumper the appropriate terminals of the switch connector (harness side).

The headlight switch terminals for the tail lights and dash lights are:
> Power in: 15/30, red wire
> Switched power out: 14/58R, green/red wire
(The terminals are probably numbered with one number or the other, not both, i.e. 15 or 30.)

The green/red wire switches power to the "hot" side of fuses 4, 22 & 23, which power the license plate lights, right marker lights, and left marker lights respectively. You can easily check for voltage at any of those fuses--if it's not there with the switch on, the switch is likely defective.

Thanks for all of this! I may try testing tonight.

To answer a question above - I bought the switch 14 years ago, so can't remember if it is OEM or aftermarket. The switch body has the VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat emblems embossed in it, but no part number anywhere. It is very customary of VW to have the part number somewhere so I question if it is OEM.

I also have no license plate light (thanks for mentioning), so to update:

- Headlights (work)
- Front fogs (work)
- Rear fog (work)
- Brake lights (work)
- Dash lights and dimmer (work, but if vent shutter control wheels are backlit, those are not working)
- Steady tail lights (do not work)
- License plate light (does not work)

I'm going out now to look around. Thanks!

 

[RAH]

First question: do your dash lights work (the ones on the dimmer). The same contact in the headlight switch that switches the tail lights also switches the instrument dash lights.

Alternately, you could test the switch with an ohmmeter, check for voltage, or jumper the appropriate terminals of the switch connector (harness side).

The headlight switch terminals for the tail lights and dash lights are:
> Power in: 15/30, red wire
> Switched power out: 14/58R, green/red wire
(The terminals are probably numbered with one number or the other, not both, i.e. 15 or 30.)

The green/red wire switches power to the "hot" side of fuses 4, 22 & 23, which power the license plate lights, right marker lights, and left marker lights respectively. You can easily check for voltage at any of those fuses--if it's not there with the switch on, the switch is likely defective.

That's interesting actually! i have somewhat of a similar problem in mine, where i turn my lights on and the dash, tails and front parking lights do not come on. The headlights will as well as the front and rear fogs but not the rest. Sometimes it will take upward of 20 minutes and they will come on all of the sudden (as the switch is on for headlights/fogs) and other time just 30 seconds. Wondering if that is the problem within the euro switch. Time to check!

 

[VAGguy]

Yes, the dash lights work and dim, but I'm having trouble remembering...are the adjusters at the air vents backlit? I thought they were but can't remember. They are not illuminated (if they are backlit)



Thanks for all of this! I may try testing tonight.

To answer a question above - I bought the switch 14 years ago, so can't remember if it is OEM or aftermarket. The switch body has the VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat emblems embossed in it, but no part number anywhere. It is very customary of VW to have the part number somewhere so I question if it is OEM.

I also have no license plate light (thanks for mentioning), so to update:

- Headlights (work)
- Front fogs (work)
- Rear fog (work)
- Brake lights (work)
- Dash lights and dimmer (work, but if vent shutter control wheels are backlit, those are not working)
- Steady tail lights (do not work)
- License plate light (does not work)

I'm going out now to look around. Thanks!

2004 does not have lighted vents. some B5s did though.

License plate lights are on fuse #4, tail lights are fuse #22. They should both be a 5A fuse.

 

[FrescoGreen01.5]

Strictly speaking, right marker (tail) lights are on fuse #22 and left are on fuse #23. But the same wire from the headlight switch feeds power to fuses 4, 22, & 23.

European vehicles always have separate fuses for right and left marker lights. I first encountered that in a military trailer connection (around 11 pins), which was also 24 volts! We were building the trailer in the US for export (with a nice radar on it). It was a challenge to connect to our US truck so we could move around it here, but, yes, someone makes 12 to 24 volt DC-DC converters for just that purpose.

My 2001.5 had lighted dash vents. I believe they were deleted from May 2003 production dates onward.

 

[zuren]

Thanks again for the responses! I spent some time on my car last night. I pulled the #4, 22, and 23 fuses and measured with my multimeter. I was only getting readings in the millivolt range (90-200 mV), so I'm more strongly suspecting the switch.

So are the Bremmen and Vemo branded switches considered to be poor quality? https://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Passat_B5-4_Motion-1.8T/Lighting/Switches/Headlight/European/

Strange that the brushed trim OEM Euro switch is $100+ CHEAPER than the plain OEM Euro switch.