Golf 3 Dash lights not working
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Golf 3 Dash lights not working
Hi guys. Sorry if this has been brought up before but i searched through the topics and couldn't find anything.
The green dash illumination on my 98 VR6 is not working - cluster, A/C illumination everything. All the warning lights in the cluster are working, all gauges 100%. The orange lights that indicate if A/C is on or recirculated are all working. I have checked fuses and replaced the light switch itself and still nothing. The previous owner had sound but removed it when i bought the car, I'm not sure if that could have been the cause?
Any advice what to check next?
The green dash illumination on my 98 VR6 is not working - cluster, A/C illumination everything. All the warning lights in the cluster are working, all gauges 100%. The orange lights that indicate if A/C is on or recirculated are all working. I have checked fuses and replaced the light switch itself and still nothing. The previous owner had sound but removed it when i bought the car, I'm not sure if that could have been the cause?
Any advice what to check next?
- panic-mechanic
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
No simple do this or that solution you will have to take a multimeter and check for power / continuity of wires.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
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- Lieutenant
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
Before you open up anything... Have you tried working the dimmer switch / wheel to and fro? I've seen the dimmer develop "dead spots" on many cars, including Mk1, Mk2, my own Mk4, various Audis, etc. The potentiostat or rheostat inside the dimmer wears out, and if you happen to hit one of those dead spots, all lighting is lost.
Mark R.
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2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
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2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
I have done that and changed out the entire switch just in case the dimmer was completely dead.VAG Fan wrote:Before you open up anything... Have you tried working the dimmer switch / wheel to and fro? I've seen the dimmer develop "dead spots" on many cars, including Mk1, Mk2, my own Mk4, various Audis, etc. The potentiostat or rheostat inside the dimmer wears out, and if you happen to hit one of those dead spots, all lighting is lost.
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- VWCSA Member
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
How did it stop working? Just all of a sudden, or did something else happen? I had one of the bulbs go on the main display and needed to replace/fix.Leigh1007 wrote:Any advice what to check next?
HOWIE-WP,
RaceCar:1996 Citi Blues(MRP Auto 2.0L,Twin 45 Webers)
Tow Car:1996 VW Golf GTi
RoadCar:2008 VW Golf5 .:R32
OffRoad Car:2006 VW Touareg 4.2 V8
"Settle for nothing less than the object of your desire"-Bjork
RaceCar:1996 Citi Blues(MRP Auto 2.0L,Twin 45 Webers)
Tow Car:1996 VW Golf GTi
RoadCar:2008 VW Golf5 .:R32
OffRoad Car:2006 VW Touareg 4.2 V8
"Settle for nothing less than the object of your desire"-Bjork
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
hi guys, want to change the current dash boared (old citi dash with long cluster) to velocity dasboared (round cluster) nw i want to knw if what also must i change so that its fitted correctly with every switch or button working?
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
So here is an update. Was driving one night and put the lights on and the dash lights came on. They flickered a bit when going over bumps but stayed on, i'm guessing a looses connection. Weird thing, lights go out when i turn right, switch off and on and the lights come on again... so clearly something is not plugged in properly behind the instrument cluster.
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
Hi @leigh1007...
I have the same problem. You solved the problem?
I have the same problem. You solved the problem?
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- VWCSA Member
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
Open binnacle / dash and check the connections. Plenty of DIY's on how to remove binnacle/dash....Mateus Rhein wrote: ↑Thu Aug 27, 2020 10:12 pm Hi @leigh1007...
I have the same problem. You solved the problem?
HOWIE-WP,
RaceCar:1996 Citi Blues(MRP Auto 2.0L,Twin 45 Webers)
Tow Car:1996 VW Golf GTi
RoadCar:2008 VW Golf5 .:R32
OffRoad Car:2006 VW Touareg 4.2 V8
"Settle for nothing less than the object of your desire"-Bjork
RaceCar:1996 Citi Blues(MRP Auto 2.0L,Twin 45 Webers)
Tow Car:1996 VW Golf GTi
RoadCar:2008 VW Golf5 .:R32
OffRoad Car:2006 VW Touareg 4.2 V8
"Settle for nothing less than the object of your desire"-Bjork
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- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: '87 MK2 Jetta, '05 Citi 1.4
- Location: Durban
Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
I had a similar problem with my mk2, apparently it was something to do with earthing but I can't remember exactly what it was.
2005 Citi 1.4 Chico (Bone Stock - Not Even Radio)
1987 MK2 Jetta 1.9i 8v (Soon to be Supercharged)
1987 MK2 Jetta 1.9i 8v (Soon to be Supercharged)
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
But I think it was regarding earthing either under the dash or somewhere in the engine bay.
2005 Citi 1.4 Chico (Bone Stock - Not Even Radio)
1987 MK2 Jetta 1.9i 8v (Soon to be Supercharged)
1987 MK2 Jetta 1.9i 8v (Soon to be Supercharged)
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Re: Golf 3 Dash lights not working
I had this issue and solved it. The bulbs connect to 2 conductive rails, follow them down to where they connect the circuit board, bend the ends up slightly and give them a clean so the connection is good again