UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi All, new on this site and I'm from Aus (no real info on the aus forums for 6n's in... unless you have a Gti and even then it's limited) so remember to post everything upside down... **waits for laugh.. shuffles nervously.. continues anyway**

I just picked up a 98 6n 1.6 as a second car and have a problem with the dash illumination.. in that there isn't any.

When i turn the car on the little green light appears behind the headlight switch enticing me to turn it on (saucy switch) when i do the headlights come on (it is the headlight switch, I wasn't surprised..) but the interior lights don't and by that i mean the dashboard illumination and switch gear illumination on the centre console. I've checked every fuse and all is well in that area, i'm inclined to think that they are not the issue as there is power to the headlight switch LED before i turn the lights on.

Yes, I've checked, they are not just dimmed.

I have an incling that it may be the dimmer switch itself but am loath to buy a whole new switch set unless I can prove this.

I doubt heavily that all the bulbs have blown at the same time, basic diagnostics (ie the LED working behind the lightswitch, aircon switch lights working, radio etc) seem to support this, but to be on the safe side I'm pulling the dash apart this weekend to double check.

When you're able to read it (in the daytime) the clock and Mileometer work just fine the dash (just not illuminated) and all the indication lights (high beam, indicators, engine warning etc) work too.

Has anyone had a similar issue? if so, please, enlighten me.

Cheers

Woodsta

Gday,

possibly the dimmer at fault,

you'll need a test lamp or multimeter for this, pin 1 on the light switch is the dash illumination, the wire colour is green with a blue tracer on my diagram, unfortunately there are 2 on the switch harness, the other supplies the rear no plate lamps (globes) but it's pin 7, remove the connector and check for any numbering, if numbered remember where pin 1 is and reconnect the plug. Both should have a voltage on them when the sidelights/lights are on, obviously the dimmer will have a variable voltage/lamp brightness depending on position (if the dimmer is faulty probably little/ no voltage or test lamp no light), the rear no plate will be constant approx 12v(test lamp glowing bright).

I don't have a 6n however i will throw a few ideas out there, (No harm in trying!)

Have you checked the fuse listings?
Have you checked the bulbs are not blown?

in my first corsa I had the two main illumination bulbs blow in my speedo so replaced them with LED ones from ultimatemods, worked perfectly after that.

Just a couple of things to check