New Beetle convertible - what a pain!

[ChrisO]

So my wife's 2010 VW - passenger side headlight is out - which freaks me a bit (long story made short) - body shop around 9 years ago had some trouble and said it was fixed.

So yesterday I found the headlight out - so I go through the song and dance of removing the headlight unit (VW's are special) and test the bulb and there is resistance across the leads - so I assume the bulb is good.

I then plan on testing voltage at the source - so I go to start the car and it doesn't start no power at all.

I guess with the headlight removed - all power is cut?

Seems weird to me... But now I can't troubleshoot any further - I have to try a new bulb.

Just ranting... But has anyone heard of such a thing? Is this some safety measure?

Thanks

All 4 fuses fine.

 

[ChrisO]

It's the battery - man I hate this car. It was fine yesterday - so when I go to investigate the light- the battery becomes dead. This car is haunted.

 

[ChrisO]

Ok - jumped the car - it is now running - tried the lights - now both lights work - along with high beams.

Perhaps it simply wasn't locked into position (you have to unlock the headlight with a 5m and release the lever to pull the entire headlight assembly out to change the bulbs.

Hopefully it is fixed - not a very warm and comfy feeling. Wish it was just a dead bulb.

 

[MrEd]

The headlight assembly and the plastic housing that has the connectors often have to be replaced as a pair. A poor design, but if you keep finding the headlamp out and fiddle with and works again, only to go out a day or two later you are in the described situation.

 

[ChrisO]

The headlight assembly and the plastic housing that has the connectors often have to be replaced as a pair. A poor design, but if you keep finding the headlamp out and fiddle with and works again, only to go out a day or two later you are in the described situation.

Thanks - completely agreed - a very poor design. I'll keep an eye out and do that should it happen again.