Golf IV 2000 - Half my electrical system just gave up

[konstantinos]

Hi
This is my first post, I will make it long and as explantory as possible as instructed in the sticky.

I have a Golf 1.6 IV (3-door) bought new in 2000.
I have had my share of problems the past 5 years, (mainly broken window mechanisms, thermostat, driver side lock and a number of blown lights). To be honest i would really have to think hard about getting a VW again.

My latest problem could be partly my fault, so i would like your advise.
Yesterday, i noticed a blown bulb in my rear lights. It was the one that comes up when you turn on your headlights, so i decided it would be better if i changed it asap.

While i was doing this however, i did not switch off the engine. The result is that the bulb is changed and works perfectly but while i was changing it:
-the trunk light went off,
-the electrical windows don't work using the switches in the doors (but i can still bring the windows up and down if i turn my key in the driver's door and keep it turned right or left for a prolonged period of time. At least the motor is ok!
- the overhead lights in the cabin are gone
- the trunk open indicator is lit even if the trunk is closed (but rather dimmed)
- the trunk can not be locked by the central locking, but the driver/passenger doors still lock/unlock ok.

So after all this my deduction is that i either just burned a fuse or two, or that i unplugged something near the rear right light while i was changing the bulb...

Any ideas? How can i troubleshoot this on my own?

[Fanie]

It sounds like you managed to break a earth wire not to shure how the wiring on the mk4's work but I would look for a broken wire first and also I wouldn't recomend working on electronics while they are running.

[veedubmechanic]

Sounds like your comfort control module fuse blew. Or it just went bad. It controls all those things. I think its one of the small ones on the top

[konstantinos]

I appreciate both answers.
I will check it out later today and get back to you as soon as i get some answers.

[seanog]

I'm having the same problem with my volkswagen golf 99 model. The lock won't work on the drivers side. The central locking works on the button of the keyring but when I try to open with the key the doors won't open. How did you fix this? How much did it cost?

[veedubmechanic]

Comfort modules are 350.00 or so. When they are replaced the key fobs need to be reprogrammed to the car.

[804440]

check fuse 14 in the dash fuse box

[K5ING]

Also, check the connector on your coolant tank. Carefully disconnect it and see if it's wet in the little pocket. If it is, you have real problems! Look up "coolant migration" on www.vwvortex.com or www.tdiclub.com

Jeff in Texas
2001 Golf GL TDI 5-speed (254,000 miles)
1999 Chevy Astro LS (132,000 miles)
1961 Oldsmobile Super Eighty-Eight (60,000 miles)

[veedubmechanic]

coolant migration is only on beetles

[K5ING]

Originally Posted by veedubmechanic

coolant migration is only on beetles

Nope, you're wrong. Beetles, Golfs and Jettas are virtually the same under the skin. The coolant migration issue applies to all three.

[bish bash]

IM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY VW GOLF MK4 GTI TURBO YR2000.... EVERY TIME I PUT IN A NEW FUSE IT BLOWS STRAIGHT AWAY N ITS EVEN MELTED THE FUSE BOX ITS REALY DOIN MA HED IN... WINDOWS DONT WORK FOB DONT LOCK THE DOOR NO INTERIOR LIGHTS N BOOT LIGHT SHOWIN ON DASH..... PLZPLZPLZ H E L P !!!!!!!!!!!