UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi >>>> Newbie to forum
MKV (2000) 5dr 1.4 16v SE, owned for just over a year, really happy with it but one thing I have noticed compared to all the old bangers I have owned over the years is that it eats bulbs for breakfast!!

Since we've had it I have replaced 2 sidelights, 2 headlights (each side), 3 tailgate lights & 2 brake lights. Anyone else had similar experiences?? or is it just bad luck? Not a major issue but just annoying.

The lastest bulb to go is the interior boot light, I have replaced the bulb with a tested working one but still nothing, have been told it is probably the switch but can't seem to see one, I'm sure the dealer (dovercourt) will be able to fix under warranty but is there anything I could check in the meantime cos they will probably have to have the car in for the day.

Another issue which could maybe be related to boot light switch is:-
A few months ago the "tailgate open" light on dashboard kept coming on intermittenly fading in and out, the boot was fully shut. This stopped happening after a few weeks before I had a chance to take to dealer.

Weird eh? any help appreciated

thx......... ps I can see looking at pics on this forum is gonna be bad news for the bank balance, my car is standard at the mo but don't know how long for now hee hee..... [/quote]

Hi there and welcome to the club!

Right then, I can only really help you with your boot open warning light (as it's a common fault!)

Inside the boot lid, underneath the plastic cover (with the handles that help you close the boot) there are a few things:

Your locking mechanism, central locking electrics, rear wiper motor and washer jet hose.

What your problem will be is that the hose that supplies the washer fluid will have cracked at the end (where it mates with the mechanism).

This allows washer fluid to conveniently drip down onto the electrics (mainly the plug) on your lock.

This causes corrosion and allows the plug to short out (maybe only a little bit, but enough to fool your car into thinking it's boot is open!).

If you've got an alarm on your car, it may well go off randomly, and it too will think that your boot has been opened.

What you need to get your dealers to check (assuming the car is covered under warranty still... if it's not, DIY...) is the seal around the top of the rear washer supply hose in the boot lid.

Like I said, it's a known problem, so they should be fully aware of how to fix it.

Hope this helps!

Also, I've just thought...

When you change your bulbs, be sure not to touch the glass of the bulb itself with your fingers.

This is more important with halogen headlight bulbs, but I think it can be true for all bulbs...

It's all to do with the natural oils on your fingers... or something!

Thx for the info Josh.

Looks like I'll have to book her into the dealers then to let them sort it & they can look at the boot light at the same time.

ps - I think I've just been unlucky with the other bulbs then!! From now on I'll just keep spares in the glovebox...

When your car is in the dealer get them to check the output voltage from the alternator when the engine is running. It may be too high and that's why your Polo is 'eating' light bulbs. You really shouldn't be using bulbs at this rate.

Thx for that info. Gonna book into dealers next week so will get them to check alternator as well.

The boot light suddenly started working again at the beginning of this week which was good but now the dash (boot open) light is fading in and out again, definately something not right.

Finally booked into Dovercourts beginning of this week to be checked and as suspected the rear washer pipes were leaking onto boot lock/electrics... now all sorted and Washer Pipes, boot lock and all rear bulbs etc replaced, luckily 2 mths before warranty runs out..

thx for the advice..

Incidenly Dovercourts said they had never seen this problem before (but they would say that wouldn't they!)

Hi i just bought a polo and there is no light from the heater controls its looks like there should be so i just want to make sure and does anyone how to replace it?

i had this problem, i smaked it a few times and they now turn on when i have headlights on. so it was just a loose connection, nothin major.

Just a thought, but normally if a car eats bulbs for breakfast then the voltage regulation could be too high. It should be around 14V with the engine running, 14.5V and you will find that bulbs give up regularly.

How to fix.... Erm, well.... The alternator is solely responisible and is not adjustable I don't think. It could be your problem, but the fix.... that is still your problem unfortunatley.