anybody no what this is?

[stainesy]

Oh right. What problems can it cause? Actuly have noticed that now its back in its bracked my startor motor has hesitated a few times. Could it cause that?

[thai-wronghorse]

Is that the headlight resister? 

Thats correct it causes the dipped beam to come on very dim when the sidelights are on. It often fails and the wires short on the bodywork causing problems.

Just remove it.

Yeah im sure ive read in the past about removing it although i can't remember for what exact reason now? By removing it what effect would it have on the headlight functions? Would removing it completely improve the power input therefore increasing light output?

[madmanmart]

Removing it will make the sidelights work like normal. I doubt removing it will make power input greater for dip and main beam as its only used on sidelights.

The two connection wires can break off and short on the bodywork.

Bin it.....

[stainesy]

Ok just took it off. Didn't make any diferance to the lights what so ever.

[clivusdel]

maybe its a metal tube with wires on it?

[rubjonny]

as above, its dim-dip resistor. the problem comes if it shorts to the chassis, more of an issue on the mk2 golf due to how wires are routed over the edge of the chassis leg which can be quite sharp. if it shorts out your headlight switch loom catches fire as there isnt a fuse

[mark-mk3gti]

is this what you remove so the inner side lights go out when you have dipped on? i did try unplugging the yellow plug under air box but it made no difference, so could this resistor be knackered?

cheers

[rubjonny]

no it turns off the dipped beam when the sides are on, the sidelights will be on regardless of if this is plugged in or not