Auto setting for headlights

[naa]

Has anyone here had this problem with their Golf.  Twice now, on long journey, while headlights are on auto the light on the dashboard dials (speedo etc) completely disappear - just switches itself off. (Whether headlights stay on I don't know) When I manually turn the headlights on, the dashboard lights come back up.  I turn to auto again and dashboard lights disappear - dials are completely blacked out only needle stays illuminated.  If I leave on the manual setting for half an hour or so and then switch to auto the problem seems to disappear.  This happens during night driving.

Also have a bit of a problem with the auto setting on the heater.  No matter how cold it is, when in auto mode the fan speed never increases past one bar - again to get more heat need to adjust manually.  Could these 'auto' setting problems be connected?  Really want some info before I take into the garage as don't want to be talked down to again - as per usual. 

Thanks

Ann

PS With regards to heater, never get any heat out of it until about 10 miles into a journey.

[Kerrse]

Surely you can tell if your headlights are staying on?

[dubber36]

It seems the dashboard lights are a law unto themselves, but from what I can understand, if the headlights are on (either manually or automaticly turned on) the dash lights will be on. If the headlights are off, then the dash lights are off. The exception to this is when ambient lights levels are low, but not low enough to require headlights, the dash board lights come on.

You may have noticed that when unlocking the car, the leaving home lights may not come on, but as soon as you start the car, the headlights do. This is due to the ambient light sensor having 2-3 settings.

The way to ensure that your headlights are turned on in Auto made, is the parking light symbol on the headlight switch will illuminate green. It's a real pain to see, and during the day you may need to cup your hand over it. Stupid if you ask me.

Also, when in Auto mode, the headlights will turn on at speeds over 140kph, and take a while before turning off, so that may be adding to the confussion.

[naa]

Surely you can tell if your headlights are staying on?

It only happened for a short period of time - while I was on M25 so couldn't stop. As soon as speedo lights went black I turned headlights on manually which brought them back - so couldn't tell if headlights also went out.  When this has happened it has been a temporary glitch. Even when driving in daylight the speedo dial has a red outline - everything went black - couldn't see any readout whatsoever, no numbers showing no light round speedo - nothing - just two black circles with a red needle in the middle, until I turned the dial from auto to full headlight when the speedo display turned back on. :S

[naa]

The way to ensure that your headlights are turned on in Auto made, is the parking light symbol on the headlight switch will illuminate green. It's a real pain to see, and during the day you may need to cup your hand over it. Stupid if you ask me.

Thanks - I will have to look for that if it happens again. 

[Cliff_944]

Have you a petrol?  If you've an oil burner then the heater always takes a bit longer - heated seats is the solution.

[naa]

Ah I see - yes I have an oil burner/soot spitter.   That would explain the heating.  Thanks!

[Edi35]

Also, when in Auto mode, the headlights will turn on at speeds over 140kph, and take a while before turning off, so that may be adding to the confussion.

That is the solution always drive at over 140kph  The lights were always on when I had my ED30