Here we go again...

[VWsciroccoWV]

So my running lights in my new mk1 do not work, I figured it was just a matter of fuses (seeing as most of mine weren't the original ceramic fuses) so I correctly replaced all the fuses, and still no running lights. I doubt that coincidently all my running lights are burnt out, so does anybody have ideas or experience on this? Thank's much.

[Eistreiber]

got Multimeter? [aka: volt- ohm meter]

1] Pull the lenses, check both bulbs for continuity. If not have, replace bulb (can test bulb by direct patch to B+ and B- if you want. Keep those wires separate, ya know?).

2] Check for voltage. If not have, trace and fix.

3] If have bulbs good and voltage, check for ground. If not have, trace and fix.

4] If have bulbs good, voltage, and ground... that's all there is.

So next...

5] scrounge live chicken and/ or virgin (live is more legal -ish), sacrifice. Worth a shot, ya know?

Electrical troubleshooting is very very simple, BUT you have to be complete, and precise.

6] Buy "Church of the Free Electron" bible, contact TBerk.



More seriously; if ALL the running rights are out, that'll be a secondary circuit coming off the light switch, you'll need the Bentley manual for reference to electrical schematics. Running lights are Key/on or Key/off, headlights are Key/on only. So if you have headlights but no running lights, X marks the spot.

One circuit brings up headlights, another circuit brings up running lights. Follow me? Find where they meet and you've likely found your problem.

Too late tonight, but I can go look at my Bentley tom'ro and see what I find.

[VWsciroccoWV]

Really sorry here, but I think I've been saying the wrong thing... By running lights, I meant the rear fog lights and corner lights. When I turn the headlights on, only my headlights come on, no corners or rear fogs... For the last day or so I thought those were called running lights. Again, very sorry for the missunderstanding.

[VWsciroccoWV]

So here's an update. I just checked my fuses and noticed 13 and 14 were blown out, so I replaced them, turned the car on and turned on the headlights and watched them blow out again within seconds after turning the lights on. Could this just be a short?

And also, where can I pick up some ceramic fuses? I'm almost out now.

[BluDemon]

Could this just be a short?

yah think? sorry i had to say that.

any how your light switch could be melting.

have you done any wiring or rewiring lately? what do the fuses that are blowing go to?

[VWsciroccoWV]

have you done any wiring or rewiring lately? what do the fuses that are blowing go to

Haha I would say it too, I'm still very new with wiring so I didn't really know.

I have not done any wiring, and I know fuses 13 and 14 are the exterior running light/rear fog light fuses. Where they go to wiring wise, I have no idea.

[Eistreiber]

If you're blowing fuses, you've got a short; I feel your pain... those can be a b*tch to trace.

Somewhere one (or more) of the wires to the involved lights has worn off its insulation, and is either going direct to metal or to another wire with a good path to ground.

It might help to disconnect the battery, then do some investigation with your newly acquired multimeter. I'd also suggest buying a set of test leads (two wires, 3-5 feet long, both with alligator clips at each end), and fabricating at least one very long test lead, about 15 foot (long enough to go from one end of the car to the other).

Check each of your wires at the lights; brown should connect (low ohms) to battery ground strap (NOT battery- post, because you disconnected the battery, right? It's just a lump right now). Neither of the other two should... so if one does, you've at least identified the problem circuit. Then you'll have to trace the wiring all the way forward and find out where the short is.

See what you find.

[VWsciroccoWV]

So I replaced fuses 13 and 14 with glass fuses and they haven't blown out and all of my lights work again, except for the back left fender light, which got me thinking... Is the back left corner in any way connected to the blinker system? The reason I'm asking is because my front left blinker doesn't blink, but the light works. So I was curious as to if the back left fender light is out, if it will cause the blinker to not blink? If you know what I mean.

And here's why I'm assuming the back left light doesn't come on.