Wipers, ac, lights just stop. HELP!
Jigadeez
06-22-2004, 11:20 AM
Does anyone know what could be causing my headlights, AC and windshield wipers to stop working sporatically? I have a 96' jetta GLS manual. When I turn my car on and put down the handbrake the headlights are supposed to come on and sometimes they do and then sometimes when I'm riding down the road they just shut off. It kinda sucks when I'm driving at night or when its raining. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. When the lights go out my brake light on my dash kinda dims on a little. Sometimes I have to turn the car off and then turn it back on so that they will come back on. Its really not good when it rains! I looked at some other posts but if anyone has had this problem and know what it was or hasnt and does anyway, that would be GREAT!
pahernand
06-23-2004, 01:39 AM
I feel your pain, I am experiencing the exact same thing you described (brake light never goes out completely, headlights, wipers, ac, also my cruise control is out). All the fuses look fine too...this is frustrating!
Appreciate any feedback.
Thanks.
Appreciate any feedback.
Thanks.
Jigadeez
06-23-2004, 12:52 PM
When I looked up wipers the other day this is what I came up with, (dont know if you have done so or not). They had basically the exact problem so I just stuck in my info. It is from other posts. I usually copy them so I can have something to go on when I take it to have it looked at....Havent had a chance yet, but let me know if you find anything.....THANK YOU! (in advance)
...Does anyone know what could be causing my headlights, AC and windshield wipers to stop working sporatically? I have a 97' jetta GLS manual. When I turn my car on and put down the handbrake the headlights are supposed to come on and sometimes they do and then sometimes when I'm riding down the road they just shut off. It kinda sucks when I'm driving at night...Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Oh, when the lights go out my brake light on my dash kinda dims on a little. In order for me to get the lights back on I have to hold or turn the key. Sometimes I have to turn the car off and then turn it back on, as well.
...Just a hunch. It might be the ignition switch. I had simular prob everytime I turned my key. It was still under warantee then and the dealer concluded that it was the ignition switch.
...I agree with edward. I have seen this many times in the dealership I work at. The electronic portion of the ignition system goes bad and the symptoms you describe happens. Check with your local VW dealer, there was a recall on this and your car might be a part of it and the repair would cost you nothing.
...Yes, ignitions switch would be one check. Also, check the hand brake. does it actually go all the way down, when you release it, or does it kinda hover, (can you push it down more after you let go?) there is a switch under it, that when depressed turns off the brake light on the dash. If it doesn't go down all the way, or is partially down, it will bounce and tap the (push) switch, causing the light to blink. this is caused by e-brake cables that aren't properly adjusted. also, if there is a short at that switch, sometimes the power lead to it touches the body of the car or any metal down there, it will cause small shorts and blink random lights on the car. head lights, tail lights, blinkers, dash you name it.. whereever it decides to send the current. this would also cause for your headlights to turn on and off, cause the car will think you are constantly applying the e-brake. but if in gear, it shouldn't matter. hmmm.
...Does anyone know what could be causing my headlights, AC and windshield wipers to stop working sporatically? I have a 97' jetta GLS manual. When I turn my car on and put down the handbrake the headlights are supposed to come on and sometimes they do and then sometimes when I'm riding down the road they just shut off. It kinda sucks when I'm driving at night...Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Oh, when the lights go out my brake light on my dash kinda dims on a little. In order for me to get the lights back on I have to hold or turn the key. Sometimes I have to turn the car off and then turn it back on, as well.
...Just a hunch. It might be the ignition switch. I had simular prob everytime I turned my key. It was still under warantee then and the dealer concluded that it was the ignition switch.
...I agree with edward. I have seen this many times in the dealership I work at. The electronic portion of the ignition system goes bad and the symptoms you describe happens. Check with your local VW dealer, there was a recall on this and your car might be a part of it and the repair would cost you nothing.
...Yes, ignitions switch would be one check. Also, check the hand brake. does it actually go all the way down, when you release it, or does it kinda hover, (can you push it down more after you let go?) there is a switch under it, that when depressed turns off the brake light on the dash. If it doesn't go down all the way, or is partially down, it will bounce and tap the (push) switch, causing the light to blink. this is caused by e-brake cables that aren't properly adjusted. also, if there is a short at that switch, sometimes the power lead to it touches the body of the car or any metal down there, it will cause small shorts and blink random lights on the car. head lights, tail lights, blinkers, dash you name it.. whereever it decides to send the current. this would also cause for your headlights to turn on and off, cause the car will think you are constantly applying the e-brake. but if in gear, it shouldn't matter. hmmm.
Igovert500
06-25-2004, 03:17 AM
2 things, first possibly your alternator isn't charging 100% of the time. Go to Autozone, they will run a free diagnostic test on your alternator, battery and so on...FREE...dealerships will screw you out of 200 bucks for the same thing.
Next about the brake light, this could/probably is related to the other problem, however, just to mention the obvious. Check your brake fluid. The light comes on when you are low. So if you are accelerating quickly, or going up or down hill at times, the remaining fluid may shift to one side of the resevoir and the sensor might read that it is low. So just make sure you have the proper level of brake fluid.
Next about the brake light, this could/probably is related to the other problem, however, just to mention the obvious. Check your brake fluid. The light comes on when you are low. So if you are accelerating quickly, or going up or down hill at times, the remaining fluid may shift to one side of the resevoir and the sensor might read that it is low. So just make sure you have the proper level of brake fluid.
pahernand
11-28-2004, 06:57 PM
replaced the ignition swicth and now everything works!
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