As I continue to poke around and mark things off my "to do list" I need to address the High Beam problem (I will need this for inspection sticker I assume)

My guess is that it could be related to the Fog lights (which I do not have/ I have to buy a pair)

It's just a stab in the dark, but do the high beams get their power from the fog lights? I have a Passat that turns the fog lights off when I turn on the high beams so naturally assume there is some kind of switching that happens.

If not, which way do i jump?

TIA,
Bruce

 

Question...are you trying to say your high beams do not come on at all? Pull back on the stalk for a quick flash, forward to lock them on. Nothing?

 

Nope....nothing.

 

I'm gonna start with the obvious question.

You've replaced the bulbs>?

 

Uh Oh......I "obviously" thought it would be best to jump to conclusions prior to just replacing the bulbs HeHeHe

Really since neither side was working I assumed it was something else. I must be looking for work.

Thanks,
Bruce

 

Yes, your fog lights (if they're on) will turn off if you put the high beams on.

As to whether they're using the same fuse/circuit, I have no idea.

 

I'm not sure if the fogs MUST be inline for the high beams to work, I can't read an electrical schematic like some of the other members around here can. Since you need fogs anyway, get those in, and see if the same thing happens. were your fog lights 'cut' out (wires cut) or just unplugged and sold to the highest ebay bidder?

 

Bought the car in need of repairs at auction in California, had it shipped to Harpswell, Maine (home). Did not come with the fog lights.

But yes, things I have replaced or will be replacing will go to the highest bidder.

BTW, I lived in Houston for most of my life before retreating to Maine......Looks like there's going to be a shootout btwn the Texans and the Patriots this Sunday....I'll be in front of the tube in the afternoon

 

Forgot......fog lights just unplugged.......those things are pricey....better spring for some

 

If neither side works you are right, a common component seems more likely.

Do the dims go off when you flip the stalk from dim to high or stay on? If they stay on it may be in the switch side of things. If they go off but high doesn't come on then maybe the relay.

The maintenance sticky has links to wiring diagrams by year, which are handy to have, especially if you've bought yourself a fixer upper.

 

The wiring for the Main Beams, Dipped Beams and Fogs are all from their respective relays.
The Body Processor Module controls the relays according to how you switch the lights, eg to ensure the fogs go out if mains are switched on, but your problem is unlikely to be caused by either dipped or fog light circuits.

The basic checks to make are first, bulbs, then (or first for convenience!) the main beam fuses (F8 and F6, both 10A in the Engine Compartment Fuse box) and then the Main Beam relay (No3 in the same fuse box - the front one of the three relays in a line. The middle one of those three relays is for the Fogs and the Dipped relay is the middle one of the five relays in a line across the car - try one of them in the Main Relay slot and see if that helps.

If none of the above works, then a deeper investigation might be required eg, the BP Module or wiring connectors, but let's be optimistic!

 

Thanks Astromorg- very informative, thank you for giving me step by step instructions to follow. I will start with the bulbs then work from there. I'm an optimist
Again thanks,
Bruce

 

good step-by-step advice from astro above, i didn't think a relay may be missing...after all, the fogs were absent, why not some other parts too?

 

Hey Matt, I really appreciate your "holding my hand" as I negotiate through these couple of projects on my list...I really appreciate it!
Bruce

headlights/wheels

 

While waiting on a batch of parts, I was able to fix the high beams. I WAS missing the square relay in the drivers side fuse box/ I popped a new one in and voila! . Thanks guys (Astro)