What is it?

[Ant]

While going through various problems on the car today I noticed a broken wire, but can not identify the component.

There is a smallish cylindar to the right and lower of the drivers side headlight which has two wires (both yellow I think) what is this/what does it do>

[Dizzie]

I think it's the coil for the heated screen, but I'm probably wrong.

[turbo]

my guess that this is the outside temp sender for the mfa.....

[wolfman]

If yours is a late model sounds like the control for the dim-dip system. I think this was added about 1990 because of European legislation. When you put your side lights on this automatically turns on your dip beam as well but with less power i.e., it appears dimmed. Effectively makes the sidelights look brighter. There should be a slight delay before the dip beam kicks in.    

[Veedubgt18v]

wolfman sounds about right! the outside air temp for the mfa is on the passenger side way down in the bottom of the wing. i cant think why the heated screen would be wired into the headlites  

[Veedubgt18v]

but we love ya anyway diz!  

[Gambit]

it might also be for the electric headlamp levellers which UK cars didnt get but the wiring is their for

[Blue MK2]

are you on about that 3 pin connector for the leccy headlamps?

[mysticman aka polypathetic]

at a guess i would say it was a heat sink to stop the headlights from overheating or a capacitor this would be the case if the car has high power headlights

[Gambit]

at a guess i would say it was a heat sink to stop the headlights from overheating or a capacitor this would be the case if the car has high power headlights

high power headlamps are certainly not a feature of std mk2 golfs!