VW GOLF front fogs

johnam

Hi, I have a 2009 VW Golf MK5 with factory fitted front spots. I noticed a few weeks ago that the spots weren't working any more, and so as part of my annual service, I asked the VW garage to look into it. They have come back to me to say that it is a computer control that is gone, and needs to be replaced at a cost of 200 odd euro......

this is a bit much seeing as the front spots are an option at €150 in the first place....

Just wondering if anyone else has heard of this problem before and a fix for it? Any help would be appreciated...sorry I haven't more detail the VW rep in the garage was a bit of a loss himself when it came to explaining what was wrong.

Alanstrainor

Not DIY. Moved.

langdang

Spots shouldn't work without your full (or high) beams on.
Maybe that's the problem. See this a lot on Irish cars


But, in a non sarcastic response, sounds strange - I doubt there's anything "computery" that VW would replace for 200 euro!

johnam

The light switch has three positions...off, side lights and full (dips or high)...to turn on the spots you pull out the switch one notch (two notches turns on rear fogs). They can be turned on with either side lights or full (dips or high). This worked for the first year or so, but now ...nothing....

I also doubt there is anything "computery" that VW would do for €200 and thats why I posted here.... even if it is computer related, I dont understand why VW would have a computer control just for the spots and not the other lights (which are all working fine) I had hoped that maybe someone had come across this before and knew of a fix for it that didn't involve sending the car to a garage. This was originally posted in the DIY motoring section but our friendly Mod decided it is not a DIY job... so now I am here.....any other suggestions?

MugMugs

I assume you've checked the bulbs and fuses?

johnam

I'm blonde but not that blonde....checked that first......

MugMugs

Would you consider going to an Indy dealer and having the codes run.200 quid for a supposed ECU fault (which stinks) is a bit odd... then again it is VW

johnam

I would consider anything that wasn't too expensive.... I think the spots look good on the car, but to be honest they never served much of a purpose, the effect is minimal....Any suggestions on where to go in clare/limerick?

MugMugs

PM Limerick Man or Test Transmission for that.

EPM

It sounds like it's the circular switch might be goosed. In no way is that a €200 part. I ordered a slightly fancier one for my own car (same switch but with a different colour backlight) yesterday and it came in at €46 delivered and it's a ten minute job to swap out.

mathepac

johnam wrote: »

Hi, I have a 2009 VW Golf MK5 with factory fitted front spots. ...

Do you mean front fog-lights? It sounds to me like the roundy switch is knackered as others have suggested or a relay is dead if fuses and bulbs are OK. Not €200 by any manner or means.

johnam

mathepac wrote: »

Do you mean front fog-lights? It sounds to me like the roundy switch is knackered as others have suggested or a relay is dead if fuses and bulbs are OK. Not €200 by any manner or means.

EPM wrote: »

It sounds like it's the circular switch might be goosed. In no way is that a €200 part. I ordered a slightly fancier one for my own car (same switch but with a different colour backlight) yesterday and it came in at €46 delivered and it's a ten minute job to swap out.

By roundy/circular switch, I presume you mean the main light switch (twist/pull out). Kind of thought that myself, but when VW said different I just took their word. Is there any easy(ish) way to check if this is the problem?

MugMugs

johnam wrote: »

By roundy/circular switch, I presume you mean the main light switch (twist/pull out). Kind of thought that myself, but when VW said different I just took their word. Is there any easy(ish) way to check if this is the problem?

OP

When you pull it out once it's meant to engage the Fronts and doesnt. Does it engage the rear light ? I can't see it being the switch if the rear's engage.

pippip

Also OP when you pull the switch out to what should be the on position does the light come on to indicate they should be on.

Funfair

Why won't the warranty cover the spots if they were factory fitted? Surely if your only a few months out of warranty VW would fix for free.. Happened to me with BMW car,it was 8 months out of warranty and some wheel sensor failed and BMW covered it as it was unusual for the part to fail..

worth a try...

C4Kid

I don't see the point paying for fog lights as an optinal extra, for me they're not used enough to warrant the investment, if used legally that is - not have them on cois they look nice.

I certainly wouldn't pour any more money into them if it was me. IMO

johnam

MugMugs wrote: »

OP

When you pull it out once it's meant to engage the Fronts and doesnt. Does it engage the rear light ? I can't see it being the switch if the rear's engage.

You pull it out one click and you get the front fogs, pull it out two clicks to get the rear fogs, rear fogs work

pippip wrote: »

Also OP when you pull the switch out to what should be the on position does the light come on to indicate they should be on.

yes the light does come on.....

Funfair wrote: »

Why won't the warranty cover the spots if they were factory fitted? Surely if your only a few months out of warranty VW would fix for free.. Happened to me with BMW car,it was 8 months out of warranty and some wheel sensor failed and BMW covered it as it was unusual for the part to fail..

worth a try...

VW warranty is a piece of crap....the reason I have a 09 MK5 is that the roof struts started to fail on my original 08 MK5 when it was 4 months old, after 3 dodgy repair jobs (including returning it to me missing some paint on exposed surfaces), and dozens of solicitor letters, I was forced to pay 1500 for a new car (the garage lied to us saying they were about to go bankrupt and if we wanted a deal we would have to do it immediately as they would delay the court proceedings and would be closed down by the time we would get a judgement). They are still operating. We contacted VW who said the warranty was void as a third party had done some work on the car , even though that third party was one of their licensed suppliers... Anyway that is a different story and I no longer deal with that garage........ VW in Ennis have told me that it is a fault with a computer, and to fix it will cost approx €200 which includes a "grace" of approx 70% as the product is no longer under warranty..... Two cars two problems.....wont be buying VW again....

johnam

C4Kid wrote: »

I don't see the point paying for fog lights as an optinal extra, for me they're not used enough to warrant the investment, if used legally that is - not have them on cois they look nice.

I certainly wouldn't pour any more money into them if it was me. IMO

They are front spots not fogs.... as stated earlier the effect is minimal..... there is nothing illegal about using them, their main purpose is cosmetic, as their position makes the car look lower and wider. They do not blind an oncoming driver, or the driver of a car in front of you.....