1998 VW Golf GL (Manual) Dash Cluster Lights Out - Automotive Wiring and Electrical


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1998 VW Golf GL (Manual) Dash Cluster Lights Out

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Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Automotive Wiring and Electrical

RSL4Evr
New User

Apr 16, 2009, 12:24 PM

Post #1 of 4 (4087 views)

1998 VW Golf GL (Manual) Dash Cluster Lights Out	Sign In

1998 VW Golf GL (5 Speed Manual)
4 Cyl/ 2.0 L
97k Miles

Alright heres the deal, I was driving down the freeway and to my dismay my dash lights went out. At first I thought my car had stalled but only the lights that light up my instruments and the lights that light up the A/C and air controls on my console went out. All the instruments work, the radio works, the lock works, exterior lights work. EVERYTHING is working except for those lights. It is NOT a burnt out fuse, i've checked them all. I'm close to taking it to a shop but wanted to see if I could do something simple to save money. Any suggestions? Please help!

-Richard

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 16, 2009, 3:05 PM

Post #2 of 4 (4083 views)

Re: 1998 VW Golf GL (Manual) Dash Cluster Lights Out	Sign In

A maybe: There should be a dimmer for the dash lights that might have been turned to lowest or off OR just moving them can make dash lights work again. They can get a dead spot and just adjusting it might make them work again,

T

RSL4Evr
New User

May 8, 2009, 12:46 PM

Post #3 of 4 (4067 views)

Re: 1998 VW Golf GL (Manual) Dash Cluster Lights Out	Sign In

Dimmer was one of the first things I checked so its not that or at least its not dimmed. Tried adjusting the dimmer to see if it turned on and it didn't. From what i've gathered searching the internet is that the headlight switch and dimmer tend to be a problem for this model of VW. Any idea of how to test to see if its the headlight switch? Or any other possible problems besides fuse, headlight/dimmer switch problems?

-Richard

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

May 8, 2009, 12:55 PM

Post #4 of 4 (4061 views)

Re: 1998 VW Golf GL (Manual) Dash Cluster Lights Out	Sign In

Wild guess for now: This engine stalled over this at the beginning - either a goose chase or a clue - dunno.

A maybe is the metal of dash isn't well grounded. One bump could change that for weeks or more - who knows? Perhaps too many items were trying to ground thru silly instrument lights which should have blown a fuse!? If you just jumper wire known body ground to known dash metal ground it just might snap out of it.

Test fuses with a test light - not by looks,

T

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