GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk1 => Topic started by: Madone_si on 05 August 2004, 12:54

Title: Dash board lights not working
Post by: Madone_si on 05 August 2004, 12:54
My dash board lights are not working at all - to tell you the truth I don't think they have since I've brought the Mk1 golf cab in May - a bit strange when driving at night....!!

The main lights work fine on the car when I turn on the lights, but the interior dash board lights don't.

I've changed all the dash lights and check the dash circuit, but I think it maybe the switch itself, does anyone have any idea's???
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: AdamB on 05 August 2004, 16:25
Have you checked the connection between the bulb and the actual circuit. It may sound noddy, but it is a bit of a swine to get both sides of the bulb to connect to the PCB, and easily missed or knocked out of alignment when re-inserting the dash module.
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Madone_si on 05 August 2004, 18:19
No I've not checked that - I'll try it out... thanks
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: mk1 on 05 August 2004, 18:38
Does it have a dimmer fitted, if so check that.
Steve.
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Madone_si on 06 August 2004, 12:14
adam - checked the lights last ngt - they all work fine and are in correctly.

I do have a dimmer switch - what's the best way of testing this - with out getting a new switch?
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Golfgal on 06 August 2004, 12:19
My lights are crap proper rubbish can see they on at night but only if it pitch black
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Madone_si on 06 August 2004, 20:49
golfgal it helps if you take off your sun glasses at night to see your interior lights..... hehehe
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Golfgal on 07 August 2004, 11:40
oh!!

What even at night time?? But they very nice sunglasses  :)
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Madone_si on 07 August 2004, 15:30
depends if you are only wearing the glasses (naked driving....!!! suits you) I'm sure that is against the law though, but laws are there to be broken.....?!!!  :o
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Madone_si on 08 August 2004, 16:39
ok I managed to get a new switch with dimmer yesterday and installed it - still the interior dash lights don't work.......

Anyone else got any bright idea's.......

I do hope it's not the circuit on the dash itself as I've heard it costs alot to replace them....

You have to love Mk1's to put up with the crap they give you, but they are worth it...  ::)
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Joester on 09 August 2004, 13:53
I have this problem.
I have got used to glancing at the dash when directly under streetlamps in order to gauge speed, etc.  This can be a worry when being followed by the law.

I intend to get this sorted soon, fortunately I am a dab-hand with a multimeter.
I would check 12V on the back of the bulb, and at the switch.
If there is, try powering the bulbs with a separate 12V (I.e a big duracell battery) and see if they work themselves.
If the bulbs don't work - new bulbs, if they do but there is no voltage, check for continuity both to the source, and to ground.
Meters are excellent tools once you have got used to them.
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: Madone_si on 09 August 2004, 14:03
I'll try that out, thanks.
Title: Re:Dash board lights not working
Post by: AdamB on 09 August 2004, 16:30
The earth track on the PCB at the rear of the dash took a hit, on mine. So I hard wired a new earth strap in, bypassing the burnt track. This overcame my problem and allowed the lights to work again. Wiring in a couple of new wires straight to any source that comes live with the headlights (i.e. cigarette lighter surround, lights in the VDO gauges, lights on any switch) would be a good way of getting round things.
Title: Re: Dash board lights not working
Post by: greenie on 17 August 2004, 15:27
Me again ........>!! i had the same prob when i bought
my first MK1 cab .....I changed the switch....worked perfect ...good luck

Andy
Title: Re: Dash board lights not working
Post by: AndyF on 04 September 2004, 00:05
Myn used to flicker when I accelerated hard and one night blow altogether.  Had a sparky fix them for me; it was some little silver box on the back of the clocks (sorry cant remember what it was called, it was about 2years ago), don?t think it was that expensive.  Problem is it still has the flickers when accelerating hard, I?m hopeing it?s just an earth fault. :-\
Title: Re: Dash board lights not working
Post by: DANO on 05 September 2004, 10:09
I had the same problem. I kept the battery connected, the pod connected to the plug at the rear and sat in the dark garage with a piece of wire and 'bridged' across the metal bulb fastener (or whatever it called) and the printed circuit. It took ages and a lot of patience because when the pod is replaced it invariably knocked the wire. In the end i covered the small piece of wire with masking tape and its worked ever since (over a whole year!!) Some would say that its not adviseable to mess with electrics with the battery connected but how else can you check?