no headlights/wipers/heat when cold out!

[morehead21]

My girlfriend bought a 2003 beetle last year and it was fine in the cold everything worked. This year when its very cold out (around freezing) when she starts the car the headlights dont come on nor does the heater blower work or the wipers work. The dash board lights come on and the radio works so im a little confused as to what could be causing this?

If she drives it around for a little then shuts it off for an hour and then starts it again everything works fine...usually.

Anyone ever run into a similar problem? Im thinking its a wiring harness or something along those lines, but im no mechanic. She took it to the dealer once but of course it worked fine when she was there so they didnt do anything.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[spyder_ost]

One thing that you may want to have looked at is the ignition switch. Sounds crazy but true. The radio and other items run with or without the key in and eiither with or without the car on, however lights, wipers and heat only run with the car itself. The switch has a little sllider bar that activates and de-activates along with the key and the position that the switch is in. However this can get dirt, grime or moisture (when cold it sticks) to simualate the wrong position for those items you listed to work. Cost will be about 150.00 parts and service to have replaced if needed. Hope this helps......

[veedubmechanic]

Your car is covered under warranty, soo take it to a vw dealer. It COULD possibly be the wiper control module ( its actually a really big relay but the control module is part of the relay).