Headlight issues

[classicman]

Get the one for your car. This s a virtual Must have

[classicman]

Or try here

[Shawnee123]

I've looked at them before. Just never got one. Right now, I'd probably spend more on the manual than the fix...but I know I need one, and will probably get one at a later date.

Thanks!

[ZenGum]

Shawnee, are you remembering to remove your sunglasses when it gets dark?

[HungLikeJesus]

Did you try putting your tongue on it? That's the first thing I do when I have an electrical problem of any sort.

[classicman]

That manual will let you find and trace the electrical circuit.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

Yeah, it turns over normally. Brights work fine. The lid goes up and down fine.

Headlight for post 2006 Beetles is an H7 bulb. Two separate bulbs in one glass envelope. That means high beams and low beams are powered by separate wires - separate circuits.

If a fuse caused a failure, then the headlight would be out. Dimming is another (different) problem. And complicated by Daylight Running Lights (DRL). DRL means something lowers voltage - some kind of black box that could be a resistor or more likely some electronics. When headlights are powered on, then something bypasses that black box. Puts all 12 volts to the low beam filament – one of two lights inside that glass envelope.

When you switch to high beams, then that low bean filament is powered off. 12 volt then connects to the other filament - the high beam.

Unusual for the typical halogen bulb to just dim. Either it works or it blows out. And therefore that is about as far as I can go since I do not have schematics for the headlight circuit.

Traditionally, the Chilton, et al manuals do not provide those facts. Chilton does not write their own manuals. Manual is written by VW. The VW manual would have information necessary to further diagnosis. Chilton simply copies selected passages from the VW manual and puts a Chilton cover on it.

Meanwhile, the owners manual would list any useful information such as fuses or unique behavior.

Well, you could try replacing the bulb. But from what I read (and what would be in that owner’s manual), the VW bulb requires a 5 mm wrench. Most all light bulbs (including the tail light) are easily replaced by hand - no tools. But this VW bulb apparently requires a 5 mm wrench. An exciting challenge to me. You don't want to try it.

Furthermore, never touch a finger to glass of a headlight bulb. Oils from a finger can cause the glass to crack or explode. Just another reason why you are encouraged to replace your own tail light bulbs. But should consider assistance (training) before replacing a headlight bulb. I do not see any recourse other than a mechanic for this problem. Hopefully it is only the light bulb - sold even in K-mart. But that usually means the bulb completely fails – does not just dim.

A light dimming implies a failure in the DRL circuitry - probably a 'bypass the DRL circuit' failure. I could be wrong. But your failure does not have the typical symptoms of something easy to fix - headlight bulb failure.

[classicman]

All good points except...re: schematics

Originally Posted by tw

Traditionally, the Chilton, et al manuals do not provide those facts.

Dunno about this - all mine did/do. That's why I directed her to get it. She is certainly smart enough to follow it.

[xoxoxoBruce]

The DRL circuit uses an electric eye to know when it's dark enough to go to full headlight power. That eye is usually on the top of dashboard near the windshield. Make sure you don't have it covered with anything.

[lumberjim]

call a vw dealer and give them the VIN...ask them to run it for recalls and to see if you are still under warranty. did you buy a service contract when you got it?

[Shawnee123]

Thanks jim. Yes, I do have a service contract but I wasn't sure what it covered. I will do this calling thing. There is a VW dealer on my way home from work.

[Shawnee123]

Oh, by the way...I stopped at an auto parts place today. He said that it didn't make sense for it to be a bulb or fuse.

He also admitted he didn't know much about VWs.

Thanks to all of you for your advice.

tw...you pretty much got the gist of what Auto Parts man said. He thinks there's a module, nothing else would make sense, as far as what the lights are doing. I will have to look into that.

Luckily, a good ole friend gave me a ride home after my parents party. Great time.

[tw]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

The DRL circuit uses an electric eye to know when it's dark enough to go to full headlight power.

Which is the way it was done even in the 1960s. However that changed when marketing got its teeth into it.

Essential to human safety is headlight on at least an hour before sundown and for an hour after dawn. Headlights primary purpose: so that others can see you.

In WWII, to get onto submarines before they could dive, allied airplances put headlights across the wings. Those headlights in the daytime made it harder for submarines to see the airplane. Same applies to cars. Headlights during the day do not make you easier to see.

But if your car had the 'new' DRLs, then Mr Jones would know Mr Smith had a new car; then need same. DRLs that are always on were a sales gimmick. So the photocell was eliminated.

Why the fancy electronics? Reducing voltage to the makes bulbs dimmer exponentially increases life expectancy. Far more intelligent is it restore that photocell so that lights need not be on during bright midday.

[xoxoxoBruce]

No, the photocell was not eliminated. DRLs run at reduced voltage and the photocell tells them when it's getting dark and to increase to full power for night operation.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by tw

Well, you could try replacing the bulb. But from what I read (and what would be in that owner’s manual), the VW bulb requires a 5 mm wrench. Most all light bulbs (including the tail light) are easily replaced by hand - no tools. But this VW bulb apparently requires a 5 mm wrench. An exciting challenge to me. You don't want to try it.

I don' think this will fix the problem because it's BOTH headlights. Both bulbs wouldn't fail at the same time.