Auto-Headlights and Dash-Top Air Vent

[Johnny A]

Just brought up the 1,000 miles on my 3 door Mk V and I have a couple of questions:

1.  If I have the headlights on the automatic on/off setting, they seem to have no problem coming on (e.g. when I go through a tunnel) but, once on, never appear to go off again until I switch off the engine!  Is this a problem others have had and how quickly should the lights switch themselves off after you are back in adequate light?

2.  I seem to have the beginnings of the dreaded dash-top air vent rattle!  I've read about this on the forum and understand that it can be cured by taking out the vent and padding it inside.  I'd rather do this myself than trust the car to the dealer.  If anyone has done this themselves could they maybe post a step-by-step guide (or refer me to one that's been done if I've missed it).

Cheers

Johnny A

P.S.  Other than above delighted with the car.                   

[mrv]

I have the same issue with headlights. They come on sure enough but on occasions don't seem to want to turn off again. It might seem obvious but I think that they are set to turn off with a stonger intensity light than they are to turn on. eg, when you come out of a dark tunnel and it's a very bright day they turn off almost immediately. If it's a dull day they won't necessarily turn off at all. I'm guessing it's a safety feature.

As for the dash top rattle there are loads of areas under the chicken wire grille that can cause vibrations and rattles. I cured mine by taking it all apart as Docs pictures for fitting a nokia hands free kit, and driving the car with various parts missing until i found the cause. The biggest problem i had was finding exactly where the noise was coming from as there were several bits that moved causing the same noise. Eventually i traced it back to a metal bracket with 2 large metal bolts going through it. This is just underneath the wire grille about an inch towards the windscreen, dead centre on the grille. Every time the dashboard was in twist or had stress put on it from various other components moving slightly this area creaked. Tightened the bolts and a quick spray of GT85 and it's gone now. The weird thing about this was that I was convinced it was the grille rattling for weeks before I eventually worked out what it was and had spent about 30 hours or so with padding and self adhesive foam all of which didn't work.

Good luck, let me know how you get on.

[GTI CV7]

Not sure if this is connected, but when you go about 90mph for a few seconds, the lights come on regardless of light conditions... (when in auto) they stay on for about 5 minutes. (so I'm told, officer) And they have some connection with the wipers too, I think.

As for the dash rattle around that grille, a swift thump fixed it on the diesel mk5 I had... been lucky so far with this car.

[The Doc]

Lights once on seem to stay on for a l o n g time!

Rattle - see my post on NOKIA CAR KIT 1 

[Johnny A]

Thanks guys!

[Johnny A]

Still having the problem with the auto-headlight setting!  Come on if it's dark/dull , but never go off again until you switch off the ignition.

Maybe a problem with the sensor?

It's not that big a deal as I can just switch them off manually but I'm going to mention it at the first service. 

[The Doc]

There all like this I'm afraid 

[AlexRWD]

There all like this I'm afraid 

Yup, ours too, pretty annoying 

[chamonix]

Hi mrv,

I have to dreaded dashboard grill rattle too. Is it easy to get  access to the grill? I am hoping I don't have to take the whole dashboard off the car.

Hope you can advise.

Cheers.

I have the same issue with headlights. They come on sure enough but on occasions don't seem to want to turn off again. It might seem obvious but I think that they are set to turn off with a stonger intensity light than they are to turn on. eg, when you come out of a dark tunnel and it's a very bright day they turn off almost immediately. If it's a dull day they won't necessarily turn off at all. I'm guessing it's a safety feature.

As for the dash top rattle there are loads of areas under the chicken wire grille that can cause vibrations and rattles. I cured mine by taking it all apart as Docs pictures for fitting a nokia hands free kit, and driving the car with various parts missing until i found the cause. The biggest problem i had was finding exactly where the noise was coming from as there were several bits that moved causing the same noise. Eventually i traced it back to a metal bracket with 2 large metal bolts going through it. This is just underneath the wire grille about an inch towards the windscreen, dead centre on the grille. Every time the dashboard was in twist or had stress put on it from various other components moving slightly this area creaked. Tightened the bolts and a quick spray of GT85 and it's gone now. The weird thing about this was that I was convinced it was the grille rattling for weeks before I eventually worked out what it was and had spent about 30 hours or so with padding and self adhesive foam all of which didn't work.

Good luck, let me know how you get on.

[apple_power]

That's not true, my lights on auto come on through tunnels, then go off after a few minutes.  Also they do come on when going above a certain speed, but again turn off within a few minute.  Once you have reduced your seed.


It's rather brilliant as I always forget to turn them off in older cars.

I have not had dashboard rattle, touch wood.