• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

we think we have electrical problems

Share this page

hondo402000

hondo402000

Darth Vader
Offline
We think we have electrical problems, I was in front of a late model WV station wagon probabley 2008 and newer, when the lady put on her front right turn signal the right head light went out, and as she passed me I noticed she didnt have any tail lights working.
I just smiled, pulled up to her and told her about her problem, smile and I drove away.

Made me realize my electrial issue is minor.
Hondo
 
I had a 2000 Passat wagon. Got rid of it at 90K. My problems were not as bad as that poor woman's, but not far off from that...
 
hondo402000 said:
We think we have electrical problems, I was in front of a late model WV station wagon probabley 2008 and newer, when the lady put on her front right turn signal the right head light went out, and as she passed me I noticed she didnt have any tail lights working.
I just smiled, pulled up to her and told her about her problem, smile and I drove away.

Made me realize my electrial issue is minor.
Hondo
Click to expand...

Except you're seeing a problem that isn't. Poor driver is off at the dealer right having them check out "normal" light operation.
In Canada all new cars are required to have running lights on during the day so headlights are on when driving during daylight until one operates a turn signal, at which point the headlight closest to the signal light turns off. This leaves one headlight and one signal light operating. As soon as the signal light goes off the headlight comes back on.

It does not happen at night when you turn the headlights on.

Also, with DRL's, no taillights, so this person had normally operating DRL's, normal no taillights, and a normal "winking" headlamp (closer than 100MM to T/S lamp) when T/S activated.

General Misunderstanding also has added most of those features.

Saw a new MB do the "winking" headlamp bit recently.

So, Euro spec, Canadian Spec, or the new "voluntary" US spec.
 
I'm fondly remembering a 93 Bonneville that I bought new. The horn would go off when I made right hand turns. I got in the habit of waving as I made right turns until they fixed it.
 
TOC said:
Except you're seeing a problem that isn't.
Click to expand...
:lol:

hondo402000 said:
PS we are not in Canada
Click to expand...
You'd be surprised at how many Canadian cars there are on the roads, though. My last Chevy was made in Canada, even though I bought it in Detroit.
 
Absolutely. If you are seeing that issue, look at the scenario. GM's have had that in one form or another for a while...you can specify on order "delete" or have them turn it off......there IS no US law mandating, but Canadian, Euro...and VW's. You saw the "new normal".
 
One of the reasons for "winking" headlamps with DRL's was the massive complaints (depends on who you read) that turn signals were not visible at the front in daylight....hence the change to "winking" headlamps on the side with T/S engaged. On a follow-up, I would put up with one year of old Lucas issues before I'd do one day of old VW electric issues.
 
Mine wasn't exactly a nightmare, but definitely entertaining at times.

The fuse block was cleverly located right under where the windshield leaked when it rained; and the fuel pump relay (with electronics inside) was not sealed at all. I must've poured a tablespoon of water out of the relay!
 
Back
Top