No Dash lights

[craigfunkulus]

Hey people, I bought a mkIV GTi on Friday, and the dashboard doesn't light up when the headlights are on. The warning lights are fine, just the illumination.

The dial is all the way up, I checked the fuses which are both fine. When I took the switch out and had a look, the cable it's getting voltage and the switch doesn't have a dodgy connection.

Haynes says the panel is illuminated by non-replaceable LEDs, but I don't want to buy a new car to be able to see in the dark.

While checking the fuses I pulled a different one out, airbag I think, now I'm getting an airbag fault when I turn on the ignition. Tried disconnecting the battery to see if that would fix it but no joy.

Has this happened to anyone else, or anyone know how to fix it without giving it to a garage?

Cheers,
Craig

[agngolf123]

Had exactly the same problem. I found that the contacts on the dash light brightness dial (rheostat) had worn leaving to no connection. It is highly unlikely that the LEDs have blown. All you need to do is replace brightness / headlight aim dial. Cost me £2 from my breakers yard (Part number: 1J0 941 333)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-HEADLIGHT-ADJUSTER-1J0-941-333-/320777684098#ht_547wt_1110

Nick

[craigfunkulus]

Hey cheers for the reply, that was the problem.

I found the answer on a different forum; Chris aka Imagewerx on uk-mkivs.net posted a fault-finding guide, http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/360420/2450757.aspx

I've hard-wired it until I can get to a scrapyard tomorrow and see if I can get the bit second hand, if not, ebay it is.

Cheers!
Craig