Headlight issues - Page 2

classicman · 04-23-2010, 02:42 PM

Since they were fine (assumption) BEFORE you messed with the fuses... maybe you got one that is only 1/2 in of not pushed down all the way - something like that. Maybe you mixed up the fuses or something. Perhaps another look there as well.
Its usually something stupid that takes time to find. Do you have the Haines manual on the car?

Shawnee123 · 04-23-2010, 02:49 PM

I don't have any manual.

I did open the fuse door and make sure they were all pushed in snug, yesterday.

classicman · 04-23-2010, 03:26 PM

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

classicman · 04-23-2010, 03:30 PM

Or try here

Shawnee123 · 04-23-2010, 03:33 PM

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 · 04-23-2010, 10:19 PM

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

HungLikeJesus · 04-23-2010, 11:45 PM

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 · 04-24-2010, 07:48 AM

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

classicman · 04-24-2010, 10:47 PM

All good points except...re: schematics

Quote:

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 · 04-24-2010, 11:02 PM

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.

tw · 04-25-2010, 12:14 AM

Quote:

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 · 04-25-2010, 01:12 AM

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.

lumberjim · 04-24-2010, 11:22 PM

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 · 04-24-2010, 11:25 PM

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 · 04-24-2010, 11:32 PM

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.

04-23-2010, 02:42 PM	#1
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Since they were fine (assumption) BEFORE you messed with the fuses... maybe you got one that is only 1/2 in of not pushed down all the way - something like that. Maybe you mixed up the fuses or something. Perhaps another look there as well. Its usually something stupid that takes time to find. Do you have the Haines manual on the car? __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

04-23-2010, 02:49 PM	#2
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I don't have any manual. I did open the fuse door and make sure they were all pushed in snug, yesterday. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

04-23-2010, 03:26 PM	#3
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Get the one for your car. This s a virtual Must have __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

04-23-2010, 03:30 PM	#4
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Or try here __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

04-23-2010, 03:33 PM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	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! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

04-23-2010, 10:19 PM	#6
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Shawnee, are you remembering to remove your sunglasses when it gets dark? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

04-23-2010, 11:45 PM	#7
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	Did you try putting your tongue on it? That's the first thing I do when I have an electrical problem of any sort. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

04-24-2010, 07:48 AM	#8
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	That manual will let you find and trace the electrical circuit. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

04-24-2010, 11:02 PM	#10
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	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. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

04-25-2010, 01:12 AM	#12
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	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. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

04-24-2010, 11:22 PM	#13
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	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? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

04-24-2010, 11:25 PM	#14
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	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. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

04-24-2010, 11:32 PM	#15
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	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. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

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